This information is for normal human beings like me—middle-pack runners who generally have too many beers with mates after which resolve to aim one thing a little bit outdoors their consolation zone. I’m Tom from Runivore, a superb pal of the Beast Runners, and a volunteer for Formosa Path since its inception. My official title is the MC, I additionally assist out because the man who sends runners out on the course at 4 AM on Saturday after which greet them as they return over the following 28 hours. I’ve seen individuals come again from this journey noticeably modified. First come the badasses—working gods, not common people—returning smiling and nonetheless wanting robust. Later, many zombies shuffle to the end, carrying a glance of disbelief about what they’ve simply completed.
Within the class of 2024, the yr I participated within the 104, the official outcomes present 54 runners completed out of the 75 who began. That statistic skews the ending charge excessive, although, as a result of many switched to the 75 km class in the event that they had been falling behind cutoff instances. I used to be the twenty ninth finisher within the group with a time of 24 hours and three minutes – three minutes previous my estimated ending time.
Under is my information to attacking race day. You may also go to the abridged model with Chinese language and Japanese choices on the formosa web site.
What This Information Skips
I’m focusing right here on race day itself. I’m skipping particulars like:
- 5 months of preparation:
- Shedding about 10 kg—principally by quitting consuming from June to November.
- Signing up for each path race I might discover to construct endurance and confidence; the longest was an 80 km path race on forest roads—nothing in comparison with Formosa Path, however a superb endurance take a look at.
- Getting and studying to make use of climbing poles (extremely really useful).
- Spending time with Coach JP (a four-time FT104 finisher) and absorbing as a lot information as potential.
- My intestine feeling of what was essentially the most useful coaching: doing a 400 m-elevation hill close to my home as many instances as potential as race day neared. It’s fairly vertical, and proximity to house gave me zero excuses to not do it three or 4 instances per week. I additionally helped Petr with some path preparation which included the primary huge climb of the race.
Pre-Race Day
Friday earlier than the race
My suggestion is to get to Puli as early as potential. Breathe within the air, soak within the climate, and chill. Eat some good grub, keep hydrated, and plan to maximise your sleep earlier than the occasion. The standard rule applies: attempt to get as a lot stable sleep as potential the week earlier than—financial institution up these hours.
I used to be the primary particular person to select up my pack (advantages of figuring out the organizers), appearing as their guinea pig whereas they examined the method of checking obligatory gear, becoming me with the GPX tracker, and giving last-minute directions. All went easily. After receiving my bib, I ready my drop bag (you’ll be able to choose it up at CPC, across the 45 km mark). I included further diet, a hotter long-sleeve shirt, socks, Vaseline, and a Pink Bull.
Race Day
I slept on the venue (a stupendous campground) and awoke round 2:30 AM. I swallowed some oatmeal, drank water, gathered my belongings, and made it to the beginning space simply after 3 AM, the place runners for the 104 km and 75 km classes had been gathering. It is a time of well-wishing, a bit of hysteria, and shared nervousness. Time flies, and earlier than it, 4 AM arrives—and it’s time to rock and roll.
Under, I’ve organized my race ideas part by part, checkpoint to checkpoint, primarily based on what my watch recorded.
You possibly can examine the official distances and minimize off instances at https://formosatrail.com/course/, Beast Runner Petr has additionally printed an abbreviated information for normal people right here: https://formosatrail.com/article/how-to-guide-104km-race-formosa-trail/
Begin to CPA: Let the FUN Start
- Distance: 14 km
- Elevation Acquire: 1 413 m
- Highest Peak: 1 669 m (Outdated Wujieyue / 舊武界越)
It begins as a pleasant 4 km nighttime jog by way of the town of Puli as you make your method towards nature. When you hit the timber, you’ll instantly encounter the primary huge climb. Get pleasure from these first 4 km of flatness—you received’t see a lot of it for some time. The climb lasts and lasts—about 5 km of distance and 1000 m of elevation acquire—earlier than something feels even remotely flat. You’ll summit Outdated Wujieyue (舊武界越) at 1,669 m, then hit “Level X” on the official Formosa Path map. My suggestion: discover a clean climbing groove and don’t push too exhausting—it’s going to be a protracted day (and evening). I undoubtedly relied on my poles right here to maintain transferring; there are a number of slippery spots, and poles assist with stability and spreading some work into your higher physique.
After Level X, take a left and head towards CPA. From X to CPA, it’s a little bit of up and down, with some sections fairly runnable. In all, it took me about 3 hr 9 min to finish: roughly 6–7 min/km on the flats and 15–25 min/km on the ascents, with the rolling part round 11 min/km on common.
Tip: CPA is a chief spot for Instagram pictures within the tea fields—Beast Runners often place an official photographer there. Get able to smile and have a good time ending the primary huge climb of what could be a really lengthy day 🙂.
CPA 1 to CPA 2: Get into the Groove
- Distance: 9.5 km
- Elevation Acquire: 450 m
- Highest Level: 1 544 m
Refill your bottles and brace your self for a runnable out-and-back part. As I began this stretch, I noticed the eventual winner ending—he was about 9 km forward of me by then. I gave up any hope of podiuming and settled into this 9.5 km of rolling forest roads. There’s an excellent view on the turnaround—take a fast look and head again. It took me about 1 hr 40 min for the spherical journey. Be certain to refill absolutely earlier than heading out once more, as a result of extra technical trails await.
While you return to CPA 2, you’ll see 40 km runners—most will probably be completely happy and smiling. Absorb these smiles; they’ll energize you. I bumped into an outdated pal right here, and we headed to the following checkpoint collectively, catching up and making the kilometers fly by.
CPA 2 to CPB: Getting Sort of Wild
- Distance: 11.5 km
- Elevation Acquire: 1 430 m
- Highest Level: 1 640 m
After refueling, prepare for path selection—Petr (the organizer) calls some upcoming sections “Wild.” Ensure you prime off your water, as temperatures would possibly begin warming up. Though this part is beneath 12 km, it took me 2 hr 45 min to finish—the technical terrain makes it difficult. You’ll run alongside a ridge with good views to your proper, however don’t stray from the marked course: the drop in your proper is kind of dramatic. The part finishes once you hit a farm highway with extra beautiful surroundings (there isn’t any lack of good views on this race). My common tempo right here was about 15 min/km—primarily as a result of extremely technical second half.
One other factor to notice: on this part, you’ll all of a sudden end up surrounded by excited 40 km runners. They’ll are available in each instructions at varied speeds, so let sooner individuals move and yell a pleasant “jie guo” (借過) if it is advisable to transfer by way of.
You’ll additionally move two important junctions: Level X—the place you would possibly see some poor souls (they didn’t prepare correctly) from the 40 km race approaching from the suitable—and Level Y, the flip towards CPB. When you end the 104 km, you’ll come again to Level Y later within the day/evening as a modified runner.
It was on this part of the race the place I latched onto Coach JP, an skilled FT104 runner, and stayed with him till the end. I’d prefer to say we helped one another conquer obstacles, however in actuality, his expertise and never-give-up angle helped me efficiently end the course.
CPB to CPC: Preserve the Occasion Going
- Distance: 10.6 km
- Elevation Acquire: 550 m
- Highest Level: 1 605 m
Refill, eat, and say goodbye to your 40 km runner mates—that is the place the sphere thins out. You’ve got fewer mates now, however the friendships you’ve got develop nearer. The following 11 km are totally on nation roads, that includes stunning views. It was the quickest part for me, with a median tempo of about 11 min/km. I used to be already fantasizing about my drop bag goodies at CPC and a contemporary pair of socks.
Warning: CPC is a little bit harmful. It feels cozy: there’s heat meals (they actually prepare dinner up a storm), your drop bag, and a final likelihood to change to the 75 km. So care for enterprise shortly and hit the highway. The largest problem of the race awaits—ensure you absolutely refill on diet and electrolytes.
CPC 1 to CPC 2: This Will Not Be Simple
- Distance: 27 km
- Elevation Acquire: 1 610 m
- Highest Level: 2 017 m
You’ll bear in mind this 27 km for the remainder of your life. You begin at CPC 1 (45 km mark) and don’t return till 72 km—a 6.5-hour stretch for me. There’s a small Help Level D that formally presents 1 liter of water per runner (unofficially, some cheerleaders convey further drinks and snacks).
While you attain CPC, seize your drop bag, change socks, and eat—CPC has actually good meals. You’ll be again to CPC after about 27 km, so plan to make use of that drop bag yet another time.
While you depart CPC, you’ll head downhill for five km into a little bit city—which is a rarity on this course. After that, you get a flat, completely runnable part for about 5 km to Help Level D. Take full benefit of each drop of water or snack at D, as a result of the robust half cometh subsequent.
Shortly after Level D, you allow the highway and head up a path towards Dajian Mountain (大尖山). ChatGPT tells me this interprets to “Huge Sharp Mountain” or “Nice Pointed Mountain” (and it’s not incorrect). You’ll begin at about 645 m elevation and climb to 2 017 m, all after working over 50 km—so all that hill coaching pays off now.
The climb up Dajian Mountain is basically like three climbs:
- Part 1: Single-track forest path.
- Part 2: Forest roads with shortcuts (straight up) to the following highway part.
- Part 3: Bouldering to the height.
Each a type of felt a little bit too lengthy. The roads provided a small respite from pure climbing. For me, it began getting darkish as we completed the second part and moved onto the boulders. It felt unending: you’d search for at “stars,” notice it was a runner bouldering a whole bunch of meters forward, then look once more and see the “stars” nonetheless there, nonetheless transferring—and nonetheless far-off. However there’s just one option to go, so you retain transferring. Finally, you make it, and also you get a little bit giddy—you’ve conquered the hardest a part of the course. (Enjoyable truth: the final kilometer of this climb took me 50 minutes based on Strava.)
When you make it to the highest, you’ll discover a way more civilized method down—a runnable part again towards CPC. Head towards heat meals, a hearth, and your drop bag. You could be sleepy, however the social gathering should go on.
CPC 2 to CPB 2: I Need to Go Residence
- Distance: 18 km
- Elevation Acquire: 830 m
- Highest Level: 1 500 m
The toughest half right here is leaving CPC. There’s a comfy hearth and heat noodles, however my accomplice in crime was vigilant concerning the time. After what felt like 5 minutes, he jogged my memory we’d already rested for 20 minutes. So we took off. The following part is all darkish, on not-so-technical trails that finally open onto a large highway. We bumped into the city of Wujie, the place locals had been partying outdoor, cheering for runners and providing native meals and drinks (watch out in case you indulge). Wujie additionally has a few small outlets nonetheless open the place you will get a chilly caffeinated beverage.
After you allow the city, stuff will get actual once more. There’s a climb Petr marks as “steep” on the official map—and he’s not kidding. My climbing poles had been tremendous useful as we made our method up. It feels wonderful to complete that “final climb” (spoiler: there’s at all times yet another). Shortly after, you arrive at CPB 2 to be met by smiling volunteers. It was right here I first believed I might really end.
This 18 km part took me over 4 hours: quick kilometers round 8 min on the working roads, and about 20 min on the steep climbs.
CPB 2 to End: F-YEAH!!!
- Distance: 14.6 km
- Elevation Acquire: 360 m
- Highest Level: 1 580 m
After working 90 km, you hit CPB 2. The secret’s to take in power from the volunteers, who will pump you up—then hit the highway. Child, you’re coming house. At this level, I might solely soak up liquid energy; I had one small chew of apple, some Coke, refilled my bottles with extra energy, and hit the path.
You’ve already achieved the following 2.5 km path part through the climb to CPB 2—that is really the final climb (there’ll solely be little hills afterward). After about 4 km, you’ll hit a gravel highway, after which it’s all about surviving the unending, a little bit too steep downhill.
When you survive that, you’ll come again to Puli and good flat roads. Simply 4 km later, you cross the end line. In my case, I laughed deliriously, obtained hugged by my family members and mates, and checked my watch—realizing it took precisely 24 hr 3 min to turn out to be a finisher of Formosa 104 km.
Over the numerous years I’ve volunteered to greet finishers, I’ve seen many faces of satisfaction—however this was the primary time I actually felt it myself.
Big thanks to JP, my coach and mentor on this journey; Petr and Eva, who made FT what it’s at the moment; all of the volunteers who make the occasion potential; my spouse, for placing up with my working adventures; and my mates, for supporting and difficult me to strive these loopy runs.
Under are some pics from our journey collectively – image credit score to JP.
