🐉 Gassan Ryujin Marathon 2025｜Dash Through the Hills and Savor Shonai’s Legendary Flavors

The **Gassan Ryujin Marathon**, held every autumn in Shōnai Town, Yamagata Prefecture, celebrates its **10th anniversary** in 2025.
This year’s race will take place on **Sunday, October 12**, starting and finishing at **Kiyokawa Ground**.

The charm of this marathon goes far beyond just running.
It’s an event where you can immerse yourself in **nature, history, and local flavors**—a true *“run satisfied, eat fulfilled”* experience.

🐉 Origin of the Event Name — The Dragon God Legend of the Tattasawa River

月山の麓を流れる立谷沢川は、豪雨や雪解けでしばしば暴れ川となり、地域に大きな被害をもたらしてきました。
村人たちは「龍神様が川を鎮めてくれる」と信じ、感謝を込めて石碑や供養塔を建て、各集落で祀ってきました。

This faith continued through the **Edo period**, with records showing that **Zenpō-ji** and **Mangan-ji** temples performed special prayers for the Dragon God.
Even today, in the **Kiyokawa** and **Tattasawa** districts, the Dragon God is still revered as a **guardian deity**, deeply rooted in the spiritual life of the community.

With this rich background, the event was named the **Gassan Ryujin Marathon**. It’s more than just a race — it’s a **special journey through the very land where the Dragon God legends were born**.

🏞 Course Highlights — A Challenging 21 km Route of Hills and Beauty

What makes this marathon truly “worth the run” is its **elevation change of about 115 meters**, offering plenty of ups and downs along the way.

**First Half:** A steady uphill climb that tests both your leg strength and endurance.
**Second Half:** Mostly downhill, allowing you to pick up speed — but don’t let your guard down.
**Course Options:** Half Marathon (21.0975 km), 10 km, 5 km, 3 km, and a 1.2 km Parent–Child Pair Run.

If you find flat courses a bit too easy, or if you crave the feeling of running surrounded by nature, **this race is made for you.**
Even seasoned hill runners praise it as a **“truly rewarding challenge.”**

🍙 After the Run — Feast on the Flavors of Shōnai!

Another reason this marathon draws so many participants is the **warm hospitality of Shōnai’s local cuisine.**

🍙 **Freshly harvested local rice balls**
🥢 **Yamagata’s famous “Imoni” (taro and beef stew)**
🍇🍐🍎 **Autumn fruits — grapes, pears, apples, and more**
🎁 **Shōnai Town specialty gift set — presented to all finishers**

The blessings of Shōnai gently rejuvenate your body after the run.
Among runners, it’s even nicknamed the **“Gourmet Marathon”** for the sheer joy of its post-race feast.

👟 Voices from the Runners

Here’s what past participants have shared about their experience:

“The hills were tough but the natural scenery was absolutely breathtaking.”
“The warm cheers from the local people really gave me strength.”
“A race that offers far more satisfaction than the entry fee.”

Though not a large-scale event, it has a **friendly, welcoming atmosphere** that makes it easy and enjoyable to run.

🚉 Access & Basic Information

**Date:** Sunday, October 12, 2025
**Venue:** Kiyokawa Ground, 1-1 Hanazaki, Kiyokawa, Shōnai Town, Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture
**Access:** 5-minute walk from JR Kiyokawa Station
**Parking:** Approximately 900 spaces (shuttle buses available from the riverside area)
**Capacity:** 800 participants (registration closes once full)
**Entry Fee:** Adults – ¥5,000 ｜ High school students – ¥2,000 ｜ Junior high & under – ¥1,500 ｜ Parent–child pair – ¥3,000

👉 For details and registration, please visit the **official website**.

✨ Summary — A Special Day Running Under the Watchful Eyes of the Dragon God

The **Gassan Ryujin Marathon** is a

a **challenging hill course**
surrounded by **nature and history steeped in Dragon God legends**
and a **heartwarming feast of Shōnai’s local gourmet delights awaiting at the finish line.**

It’s a one-of-a-kind event where you can experience **all of these joys in a single day.**

If you love **a good hill challenge**, want to **run surrounded by nature**, and crave a **rewarding feast after the finish**,
this marathon is **made just for you.**

That said, **registration for this year’s race has already closed**, so if you’d like to join, please look forward to the **2026 event**! ❣️

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