Introducing Our Guest Runners

Happy New Year! 🎍
We hope 2025 brings you happiness, health, and success.

How did you spend your New Year’s holiday?
Here in Oguni, Nagaoka City, winter has shown its full snowy might. Snow, sleet, blizzards, the occasional break of sunshine, and then more snow piling up when you least expect it—truly the winter of a “special heavy snowfall area.” But for us, that’s just how winter is!

Even amidst the snowy season, we have some exciting news: the guest runners for the 2025 Echigo Country Trail have been confirmed!🎉
　This year, we’re thrilled to welcome back Chizuru Ofuchi and Yuto Shirakawa as our guest runners. Both joined us as guest runners in the 2024 event, and we’re so excited to have them return!

Guest Runner: Chizuru Ofuchi

　Known affectionately as “Chi-chan,” Chizuru hails from nearby Ojiya City and first tried trail running at the Echigo Country Trail—what a special connection! This marks her third consecutive year as a guest runner, following her appearances in the 2023 and 2024 events.

　Chi-chan is a seasoned trail runner, focusing on 100-mile races. Though she might seem a little shy, she’s incredibly friendly and approachable. Her cheerful smile while posing for photos left a lasting impression on everyone. And during races, her photos always capture her smiling—that’s pure Chi-chan magic!

🌟 Achievements 🌟

• Winner, OSJ KOUMI 100 (Women’s Division) (2021, 2022)
• 2nd Place, YARIKAN 12-Hour Endurance & 100-Mile (Women’s Division) (2022)
• Winner, Tsunan Ultra Triathlon (2022)
• 2nd Place, Uonuma Sky Run (Normal) (2022)
• 3rd Place, ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI “FUJI” (Women’s Division) + New Hero Award (2023)
• 3rd Place, Shinetsu Five Mountains Trail Running Race 100 Mile (Women’s Division) (2023)

Guest Runner: Yuto Shirakawa

　We’re delighted to welcome back Yuto Shirakawa as a guest runner for this year’s event! Last year, Yuto went above and beyond, cheering on participants and creating an atmosphere so lively that he felt like a part of our staff team.

　Yuto is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. Whether striking poses for the camera mid-race, sharing a meal of curry with participants after the event, or greeting runners at the finish line with Chi-chan, he made sure to keep the spirit of the race alive from start to finish.

　Yuto manages a hypoxic gym in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, and actively shares trail running insights on his YouTube channel, Shirakawa Yuto. You can even catch last year’s event highlights there! If you’re thinking about entering, be sure to check it out.

🌟 Achievements 🌟

Winner, 2020 OSJ KOUMI 100 (175 km)

Runner-up, 2022 GONTEX Minakami (121 km)

Runner-up, 2021 OSJ KOUMI 100 (175 km)

The 2025 Echigo Country Trail entry period is now open! We can’t wait to see your entries and share another unforgettable trail running experience with you.

Let’s make 2025 a year to remember—together on the trails!