4th Kasen Time Run and 100km Ultra Marathon site visit

A Step Towards 2026 Championships

Last weekend, Hirosaki City played host to the 4th Kasen Time Run and 100km Ultra Marathon, an event that served as a significant inspection opportunity for the upcoming 2026 IAU 24H Asia and Oceania Championships. Nadeem Khan visited the city to assess the preparations and developments since his last year visit.

During this year's race edition, Nadeem conducted a thorough inspection of the course, which will be utilized for the 2026 Championships. His visit included attending the opening and closing ceremonies, a press conference, and a technical meeting, all aimed at ensuring that the organization and preparation for the upcoming event are on track. The progress made since last year’s visit was evident, with everything aligning well with the planned timeline.

In his meetings with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), led by Mr. Makoto Tateyama, Nadeem discussed the current setup and outlined further steps necessary for a successful championship. "The preparation for the 2026 IAU 24H Asia & Oceania Championships are going very well. It's exciting for us to bring these Championships to Japan. The LOC under the leadership of Mr. Makoto Tateyama is going to present an outstanding event to our athletes and federations from the region," Nadeem expressed during his visit.

Additionally, Nadeem had the opportunity to meet with the newly elected president of the Japan Ultrarunning Association (JUA), Mr. Kenji Okiyama. This meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts between international and local bodies to ensure the success of the upcoming championships.

Nadeem Khan and Kenji Okiyama

As Hirosaki City gears up for this prestigious event, the excitement among athletes and organizers continues to build, promising a remarkable experience for all involved in 2026.

Jacek Bedkowski

IAU Director of Communication