RACE TRIP
Shimanto River Ultra Marathon
Trip Guide
To stay over, or not?
The hardest part of Shimanto isn't the course or the cutoffs — it's the hotel. Nakamura is a small town, race-eve rooms sell out to runners alone, and the official tour packages (JTB / Tobu Top Tours) block-book much of the town. Independent booking is strictly first-come-first-served.
- The rule: book your room the moment your entry confirms (entries are first-come, typically June)
- Missed the window? Consider the official tour packages, watch for cancellations, or widen your search area
- 100K runners MUST do day-before pickup (Sat 11:00–18:00 at the Shimanto Civic Sports Center — no race-day option), so you're staying over regardless
- The 100K starts at 5:30 — before any normal hotel breakfast. Ask about onigiri boxes when you book
General entry (first-come) opens in early June. Book lodging the moment you're in — or check the JTB / Tobu tour packages that open around the same time.
Runner-friendly places to stay
New Royal Hotel Shimanto
高知県四万十市中村小姓町26
20 min by transit Breakfast from 06:30
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Auto-collectedFree shuttle to the start departs outside the hotel (duration approximate; 2026 times TBA)
The town's biggest hotel — with the race shuttle stopping right outside. Onsen bath + sauna, morning soak possible. 100K runners leave before the 6:30 breakfast; call about early options.
Hotel Crown Hills Nakamura
高知県四万十市右山383-6
25 min by transit Breakfast from 06:45
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Auto-collectedShuttle from Nakamura Station (5 min walk); duration approximate, 2026 times TBA
Five minutes from Nakamura Station and its shuttle stop. Herbal bath from 6:00, coin laundry on site. Front desk closes 0:00–6:00 — 100K runners should arrange their early exit in advance.
Trip timeline
Day before (arrival & check-in)
Phase 2The day before (mandatory for 100K runners)
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Official source- Bibs and chips are mailed to you in late September; at the venue you collect your participant gift
- 100K: day-before pickup only — Sat Oct 17, 11:00–18:00 at the Shimanto Civic Sports Center
- 60K: day-before at Towa Gymnasium, or race morning 7:00–8:30 at Koinobori Park
- Nakamura is ~2.5 hours from Kochi Ryoma Airport (bus + Ashizuri limited express). Aim to arrive by Saturday afternoon
Race morning
Phase 3Race morning: let the free shuttles do the work
✓ Verified July 15, 2026・Official source- Starts: 100K at 5:30 (Warabioka), 60K at 9:30 (Koinobori Park)
- Free shuttles run from Nakamura Station and the New Royal Hotel to the start (2026 times pending the race guide)
- Both distances finish at Nakamura High School's ground, with free buses back to the station
- Time limits: 14 hours for the 100K (until 19:30), 10 hours for the 60K
Will you beat the cutoffs?
Pick a target time to see your estimated clock time at each point — don't forget the time it takes to cross the start line.
Your estimates for a 9:00 finish with ~10 min start loss
| Point | Est. arrival | Cutoff | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start (crossing the line) | 5:40 | — | — |
| 10 km | 6:34 | — | — |
| 20 km | 7:28 | — | — |
| 30 km | 8:22 | — | — |
| 36.6 km（36.6 km cutoff） | 8:58 | 10:55 | ◎ Comfortable（+117 min） |
| 40 km | 9:16 | — | — |
| 50 km | 10:10 | — | — |
| 56.5 km（56.5 km cutoff） | 10:45 | 13:54 | ◎ Comfortable（+188 min） |
| 60 km | 11:04 | — | — |
| 61.8 km（61.8 km cutoff） | 11:14 | 14:36 | ◎ Comfortable（+202 min） |
| 70 km | 11:58 | — | — |
| 71.3 km（71.3 km cutoff） | 12:05 | 15:40 | ◎ Comfortable（+214 min） |
| 79.5 km（79.5 km cutoff） | 12:49 | 16:42 | ◎ Comfortable（+232 min） |
| 80 km | 12:52 | — | — |
| 86.9 km（86.9 km cutoff） | 13:29 | 17:48 | ◎ Comfortable（+258 min） |
| 90 km | 13:46 | — | — |
| 93.9 km（93.9 km cutoff） | 14:07 | 18:46 | ◎ Comfortable（+278 min） |
| Finish | 14:40 | 19:30 | ◎ Comfortable（+290 min） |
A simple even-pace estimate. Always check the official runner guide for exact cutoff details.
Browse the whole area
Opens an external booking site with check-in set to the day before the race.
Times and travel durations were accurate when last verified. Schedules change — always check official sources before race day.
Links to external booking sites (affiliate programs may be used). Reservations and payments are handled on each site.
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