Rally the Globe’s third Marathon-style event truly encapsulated the spirit of driving adventure, packed with spectacular scenery, cultural contrasts, and challenging competition. The epic Islands of Japan Marathonhad it all — and so much more.

This month-long driving escapade (18 September – 16 October), staged in the ever-intriguing Land of the Rising Sun, took 22 intrepid crews on an unforgettable 7,000+ km journey from Sapporo on Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, all the way to Fukuoka on Kyushu, the southernmost.

When the time cards were tallied, the spoils of victory were shared by the experienced Bentley crew Graham and Marina Goodwin in the Pre-War category, and Datsun duo Nigel and Sally Woof in the Classic category.

Both were very fitting winners. Dating back to 1925, the Goodwins’ Bentley Supersports was not only celebrating its 100th birthday during the event but also the oldest car on the entry list, while the Datsun 240Z was the only Japanese car competing on home soil.

“It’s as if we scripted it,” joked Fred Gallagher, Rally the Globe’s well-respected Rally Director. “We really couldn’t have hoped for two more appropriate victors. That said, I think we were all winners, as we’ve been on such an incredible journey through one of the most intriguing countries on the planet.”

It was 28 memorable days earlier that everyone had assembled in Japan’s fifth-largest city — home to the 1972 Winter Olympics — eager to experience the extraordinary civilisation, landscapes, and cuisine of this fascinating country, as well as to test their skills over 54 Regularities, 17 Speed Tests, and one Navigational Test.

The Regularity sections were largely set on little-used gravel and paved roads through Japan’s forgotten forests and fertile farmlands — far from the more congested highways — while the Tests were staged at motorsport venues nationwide, notably Auto Paradise Gotemba in the misty shadows of the iconic Mount Fuji.

As if the ever-changing backdrop were not enough, the unforgettable route was further enhanced by a constant flow of unique Japanese cultural and culinary experiences along the way.

Ten of the entered cars fell into the Pre-War category, including a pair of Bentleys and a posse of American steeds — all well-suited to long-distance, mixed-surface “marathon” events — with a Citroën 11B adding contrast.

The dozen pre-1976 Classic entries featured a quintet of Mercedes and a pair of Porsche 911s, as well as an Austin Mini, BMW 3.0 CSi, Ford Escort, Volvo PV544, and the ultimately victorious Datsun 240Z.

The first two days were largely set on the smooth gravel tracks of the Daisetsuzan National Park and the remote regions of Hokkaido, including Tests at Nanporo Riverside Kartland and Rikubetsu Motorsport Park. Day three treated competitors to the spectacular and empty mountain roads of Akan National Park, leading to the nature-packed Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

By the first rest day at the Kitakobushi Shiretoko Resort, with stunning views of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Goodwins’ Bentley led a trio of Ford Coupes fronted by Manuel and Irene Dubs. British engineering also led the way in the Classic category, with the giant-killing Austin Mini of Richard and Catherine Phillipson holding a slender advantage over the Mercedes of Gerd Buehler and Janine Franssen, and the Porsche 911 of Bob Harrod and Dana Hradecká.

Three further days saw crews re-crossing Hokkaido, this time from the Pacific Ocean to a stormy Sea of Japan, ahead of the ferry to Honshu on Day 8. Leaving Hokkaido, the Ford Coupe of Manuel and Irene Dubs had moved ahead of the Bentley among the Pre-War contenders, while the plucky Mini continued to lead the Porsche — with the home-grown Datsun 240Z of Nigel and Sally Woof now into third.

An early morning crossing of the Tsugaru Straits to Oma marked the start of Chapter Two of this spectacular oriental adventure. After a morning twisting through forested hills in the shadow of the sacred Mount Osore, the afternoon concluded with a long gravel climb through the trees before a descent to the shores of Lake Towada.

Crews explored remote regions of Japan’s most populated island, Honshu, as temperatures rose while they headed south through wine, orchard, and rice paddy regions, with Speed Tests at motorsport venues allowing drivers to explore their limits before returning to the impressive mountains of central Honshu. The Hosoo Pass Regularity on Day 12 in Nikko National Park was a real highlight, featuring no fewer than 38 hairpins en route from the summit, followed by a well-earned rest day at the Prince Hotel in Karuizawa — a fashionable retreat once frequented by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and where Emperor Akihito met the future Empress Michiko on the tennis court.

Now entering its second half, the route took on an alpine flavour as it headed east towards Tokyo, embracing more local colour and customs. Motorsport took centre stage the following day with a visit to Auto Paradise Gotemba and an overnight stay at Fuji Speedway — where James Hunt famously beat Niki Lauda to the 1976 F1 title — both set in the misty, majestic shadows of Mount Fuji. The journey then continued through the bamboo forests of the remote Izu Peninsula on the Pacific coast with the Datsun 240Z now leading the Mini among the Classics.

Day 18 was special. After a morning winding through the lush Kuragari Gorge came an exclusive lunch invitation at the Toyota Museum, where Rally Director Fred Gallagher was warmly welcomed and reunited with the Celica GT-4 in which he and Björn Waldegård won the 1990 Safari Rally.

Adding to the occasion, Gallagher presented the museum with his original pace notes from that event, which will now be kept with the victorious car in perpetuity. Maintaining the motorsport theme, the afternoon itinerary featured a high-speed test at Motorland Suzuka.

From there, crews returned to the forests and mountains on roads carved through dramatic landscapes and breathtaking scenery. Temples and tea plantations followed before another well-earned rest day in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital, where participants could recharge, service their cars, and enjoy sightseeing excursions.

The Ford continued to lead the Bentley among the Pre-War entries, with two more Fords in close pursuit. Among the Classic contenders, the 240Z was just eight seconds clear of the Mini, with the Porsche now only twelve seconds adrift of the top two.

Entering the fourth week, refreshed teams left Kyoto and headed south past Himeji Castle — Japan’s first World Heritage Site — and on to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, crossing via the extraordinary 13 km Seto Ohashi Bridge, the world’s longest two-tier bridge system.

Although the visit to Shikoku was brief, it included a visit to the Asan Circuit and competitive sections on switchback mountain roads, where the Bentley regained top spot in its class before returning to Honshu for a two-night stay in Hiroshima. Many participants visited the Peace Memorial and Museum — powerful reminders of history and hope.

From Hiroshima, the rally continued to the fourth and final island, near-tropical Kyushu, where the warm, misty hills provided a demanding penultimate day of competition. While the Goodwins fended off the three pursuing Fords – with the erstwhile leading Coupe of the Dubs now back in fourth – there was change among the Classics with the third-placed Porsche slipping out of the top five.

With just the final day’s action remaining, it was now the two Mercedes SLs of Nick and Serita Sleep, and Otakar and Otakar Jr. Chládek, that were hot on the heels of the valiant Mini, and in pursuit of podium finishes behind the well-set Datsun.

The final morning was no cruise to the finish, featuring Speed Tests at a Honda test track and the Autopolis race circuit, as well as a final Regularity. These were enough for the Sleeps’ Mercedes to overhaul the Mini for second place among the Classics.

As the dust settled, the prize-giving ceremony took place at the Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk on Hakata Bay. Though no strangers to the podium, it was the first Marathon event success for Graham and Marina Goodwin — and they were understandably delighted, especially in such a significant year for their Bentley.

“This is a 100-year-old car and we love it,” enthused Graham, former Chairman of Rally the Globe. “He’s called Pyman and he’s been brilliant. We’ve had a fantastic time and this has been a great rally. Japan has exceeded all our expectations: the food, the culture, and the people have just been fantastic.”

Nigel Woof was equally thrilled to have taken the Classic category honours in his Datsun. “We couldn’t have entered a Japanese car and not given it our best shot,” he said. “There have been some great roads and great landscapes, and as expected, Rally the Globe did a great job.”

Two further discretionary awards were presented: the Spirit of the Rally Award went to Tricia Field and Susan Godfrey in their big Bentley, while the Against All Odds Award was given to Michael Lutolf and Patt Henderson for nursing their pretty Citroën to the very end.

“What an incredible event!” concluded Gallagher. “We’ve travelled on some fabulous roads, topped by sensational gravel on Hokkaido. Japan has shown us its amazing culture and has been an extraordinary country to travel through. We’ve shared this remarkable driving adventure with the most wonderful group of people.”

Following the exceptional successes of the Road to Hanoi, Alaska to Mexico, and now the Islands of Japan Marathons, Rally the Globe’s fourth long-distance event — the 28 States Marathon — is scheduled for North America in the autumn of 2027.