The Shinetsu Gogaku Trail Running Race is produced by trail running legend Hiroki Ishikawa. The 110-kilometer and 100-mile races connect the Shinetsu Gogaku, or Five Mountains of Shinetsu, independent peaks of Mt.
HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB ♡ participated in the 2023 event held from September 16 to 18, with Yamamoto (110 km), deputy director, and Yuri Nakajima (100 miles), a member of the HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB ♡. They were supported by Hoka, a brand synonymous with thick-soled shoes with soft cushioning for both trails and roads.
Hoka" is the overwhelming favorite for long distance trails. Many athletes were wearing them at this year's Shinetsu Gogaku (five peaks in the Shinetsu region of Japan). So, what is the appeal of Hoka's trail running shoes? We asked them.
The compatibility between forest roads and "Stinson 7" was still excellent (Yamamoto).
Yamamoto.Last year, I wore Hoka's top model, the carbon-plated "Tecton X" on Shinetsu Gogaku, but I found it to be over-spec for a long distance run at my level. So this year, I wanted to use a model that suited my running ability, so I chose the "Stinson 7," which has the thickest sole and the most cushioning.
These shoes, of course, offer the comfort of Hoka's signature soft cushioning and rebound, plus the rocker shape of the sole, which gives a natural sense of forward motion.
Shinetsu Gogaku" are mostly forest roads, so I thought the "Stinson 7" with its max cushion and wide body really suited the area. I myself don't particularly like forest roads, but with the Stinson 7, I think I will be able to enjoy driving on them (laughs).
. The best feeling is on the downhill. In addition to the great cushioning, when you land on the heel, the rocker works to make your legs spin around and move forward on their own. If you can get the feeling that your body is riding on the shoe's performance, you can run comfortably and easily without using a lot of energy.
Compared to the previous model, the lug shape has been changed and the grip is much more effective, which is also a nice feature. I managed to get going even on muddy surfaces after heavy rain.
The weather broke, so I used "Mafate Speed 4" which has high grip performance to complete the race.
island in a pond or riverI thought Hoka's "Challenger 7" would be suitable for the Shinetsu Gogaku (five peaks of the Shinetsu Mountains), as we often travel on forest roads and roads. Also, the "Mafate Speed 4" was a candidate because of its dependability on all surfaces, including when the weather worsens.
Therefore, I prepared for the race with a view to running hard on the "Mafate Speed 4" in the early stages and switching to the "Challenger 7" when I got tired in the latter half of the race. In the end, the weather worsened in the second half of the race day, so I did not wear the "Challenger 7" that I had prepared, but ran the entire race with the "Mafate Speed 4.
The Mafate Speed 4's forefoot bites into the road surface with a firm grip, making it very resistant to adverse conditions. Even on descents where there was a mixture of rocks, roots, and mud, I felt a firm grip on the road, so I was able to pass through without any heaving. I wasn't afraid of muddy conditions that would bury me up to my ankles. I was able to drive aggressively in any conditions because I felt secure.
Another good point was that, compared to the previous model (Mafate Speed 3), the lug shape was changed, allowing the rider to ride on roads and gravel paths without any discomfort.
Hoka is featuring a variety of models suitable for ultra-trail!
The appeal of Hoka's shoes is not only their outstanding cushioning, rocker propulsion, and firm grip, but they also offer a wide variety of models for ultra-trailers. But there is much more to Hoka's shoes than that. In other words, the ability to choose a shoe that matches the characteristics of the course, the weather, and one's running style is also a big advantage.
For example, "Shinetsu Gogaku" has many trails that can be run, such as forest roads, so "Stinson 7" or "Challenger 7" would be candidates. However, if the weather breaks and the road surface becomes muddy, the high-grip "Mafate Speed 4" or "Speedgoat 5" would be a good choice.
No other brand but Hoka has such a large selection of trail running shoes in the thick-soled category! Of course, there are also shoes with carbon plates and thinner soles for athletes, so there is truly an unlimited choice. No wonder Hoka has an overwhelming share of the market!
Photo & Text_Tatsuo Takahashi
Shinetsu Five Mountains Trail Running Race
Deckers Japan
Phone: 0120-710-844
www.hoka.com/jp
