第49回 塩原温泉湯けむりマラソン全国大会

The Shiobara Onsen Yukemuri Marathon starts and finishes at Shiobara Elementary and Junior High School in Nasu Shiobara, Tochigi. The town's hot-spring steam is part of its name. This May road race takes place regardless of weather, offering 10 km, 5 km, 3 km, and 2 km family categories suitable for both regular runners and families with children. Adults receive a T-shirt, while elementary and junior high school runners get a muffler towel. The course winds through Shiobara Onsen, a hot-spring area with approximately 1,200 years of history, following roads around the town and the Hoki River valley. Participants travel from all over Japan, yet the event maintains a local atmosphere. Residents and ryokan owners offer support from their respective areas, with some acts of hospitality noted by organizers through online reviews. Post-race, participants can access complimentary bathing facilities and enjoy a simple soup featuring Shiobara Kogen Kabu, a local highland turnip. The event also features an Onsen Musume collaboration with Shiobara Yaya, including displays, merchandise, and a limited hand towel for early entrants.