Seafarers often work in very dangerous situations, experiencing isolation, fatigue, mental and physical health issues, the risk of abandonment, shipwreck, and piracy. During COVID-19 these pre-existing issues were exacerbated, leading to a critical situation in some cases onboard.
We have designed this race to offer a way for the international shipping community to support the seafarers who keep our global economy afloat. We hope to increase awareness and funds for our work as an international maritime charity, and one of the largest providers of seafarers’ welfare support worldwide and in the APAC region.
Join the Mission and fellow shipping companies and colleagues for The Adventure Race Japan, a fundraising challenge event in the Japanese landscape, on 13-16th May 2027. Teams of three (3) will undertake a scenic, yet challenging route through the mountains in Matsushiro in aid of raising a minimum of US $5,000 for The Mission to Seafarers.
We have two routes to choose from, to suit your team’s challenge ability: the Green Dragon route (10-11k*) and a longer route, the Black Dragon route (20-22k*).
The Green Dragon is the shorter route, accessible to average levels of fitness and the elevation of the race will take this into account. The Black Dragon Race is the longer endurance route with increased elevation and aimed at the more adventurous participants, those who train regularly and are comfortable completing 10K easily on the flat. When registering for the event your team will select the race they wish to participate in. Please note that the course details are being developed and more information will be released nearer the event date. Refer to The Course in The Race section for additional details.
There are many advantages to taking part – raising funds for seafarers’ welfare, meeting with like-minded people from the shipping and commodity sectors, camaraderie, teamwork, fitness and above all having a lot of fun!
Registration is for a team of three (3) and the entry fees will need to be paid in two payments
After registration via the website, the ARJ Events Team will assist with payments.
Sponsorship opportunities available, with details on our Sponsors Page.
To find out more, please see below and explore this website or, download the participant brochure for a summary.
*Routes are estimated and exact lengths will be confirmed in early 2027.
Teams must consist of three (3) members, who are 18 years or older. MtS welcomes all individuals—regardless of athletic ability—to participate. This presents a great opportunity for team building within your company. Each company can enter up to a max of three (3) teams. Sponsoring companies can enter up to five (5).
Teams will consist of one (1) x Captain and two (2) x Team Members. The Captain is responsible for the overall team and it’s members ensuring your team abides by the event rules & regulations. The Captain will be the main point of contact for the team pre-event, onsite & post-event. The Captain must ensure your each team members online profile is complete as well as the Team’s online profile ahead of the event.
When registering, your team captain will need to select the chosen race route your team wishes to participate in. All three (3) team members must participate in the same race, start together and finish together to qualify for entry into the Award Categories. See our Race Information Page for more details on each race route and to assist you in choosing which race to participate in.
All three team members will receive exclusive ARJ event merchandise, including:
Please see the Equipment Page for the mandatory items you must provide for each participant in your team and the items each team must have.
The event starts on the afternoon of Thursday 13th where Teams will make their own way to the Matsushiro, our event venue and recommended accommodation. Upon arrival, head to the Event Registration desk to check in with the Events Team, receive your event merchandise and accommodation key. You’ll then be required to have your kit checked by our Course Team to ensure you (& your team) have the all the mandatory kit for the following day’s race (see our Equipment page for more information on required kit for the event). After dropping your bags in your single room accommodation with private ensuite, join us for the evening’s activities.
Thursday evening continues with a networking Welcome Drinks Reception for you to get to know your fellow teams participating in the event. We then have a Safety Briefing and as safety is a high priority for the industry and for the Mission, it is therefore mandatory that your team attends this briefing before participating in the race. After the safety briefing you’ll tuck into a delicious Welcome Dinner buffet with inclusive drinks.
Wake up energised on Friday 14th May as it’s race day. After fuelling at up the buffet breakfast your team will take on their chosen race either the Green Dragon or Black Dragon Race. Once you finish the race, and you must cross the finish line together as a team of three, you’ll be welcomed across the finish line with food and cold drinks! On Friday evening we have the Halfway Drinks and Dinner to share stories from your first day on the courses. The bar and lounge area will be open for post-dinner networking and late-night conversations till 01:00.
On Saturday 15th – it’s go time for day two! Unleash your team on your second Green or Black Dragon route, again taking in spectacular scenery and pacing to the finish line. The finish line will again greet you with food and drinks as you celebrate your achievement of completing ARJ 2027.
Saturday 15th evening sees all participants come together sharing a drink or two with new friends at the Gala Drinks Reception, followed by the Awards Ceremony, this is yet another key part of our event, recognising & celebrating achievement of the teams. All Awards will be given at the Awards Ceremony, so every reason to be there to collect your award! (See below for further details on the Awards). After the Awards Ceremony welcome the chance to exchange stories and experiences during the Gala Dinner buffet whilst images from the day’s races are shown. The atmosphere will be one of great friendships, as only the industry can do so well! The bar and lounge area will be open for post-dinner networking and late-night conversations till 01:00.
On Sunday 16th morning enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast, before checking out and making your way back home. A time well spent with seafarers ultimately benefitting!
As raising awareness and funds for seafarers is at the heart of the Adventure Race Japan by participating each team commits to raising a minimum of US$5,000 in donations towards the Mission to Seafarer’s frontline work, and we encourage you to aspire to raise more.
All donations must be paid through your team’s dedicated fundraising page on the Adventure Race Japan and the team with the highest fundraising will receive an award and recognition at the event. Amounts on external fundraising sites (JustGiving, GoFundMe, etc) will not be counted towards the Fundraising Awards. See below for more details on the awards.
We’ve developed fundraising resources to assist your team’s fundraising efforts, check them out on our Fundraising page.
See our videos (with English and Japanese subtitles) below to hear from our ARJ Committee members, Ken & Sakura, on fundraising for Adventure Race Japan and the Mission to Seafarers.
On the Saturday evening we’ll have the Adventure Race Japan Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner to celebrate your teams fundraising and physical achievements. We have six team awards available, split across our two races:
Green Dragon Fastest Team – The Team undertaking the Green Dragon course with the fastest completion time
Green Dragon Highest Fundraising Team – The Team undertaking the Green Dragon course e with the highest fundraised amount (via their team’s dedicated fundraising page on the Adventure Race Japan Website, amounts on external fundraising sites will not be counted)
Green Dragon Overall Winner – Combined award for The Team undertaking the Green Dragon course with the highest fundraised amount and the fastest completion time
Black Dragon Fastest Team – The Team undertaking the Black Dragon course with the fastest completion time
Black Dragon Highest Fundraising Team – The Team undertaking the Black Dragon course with the highest fundraised amount (via their team’s dedicated fundraising page on the Maritime Mountain Website, amounts on external fundraising sites will not be counted)
Black Dragon Overall Winner – Combined award for The Team undertaking the Black Dragon course with the highest fundraised amount and the fastest completion time
