This information is for normal human beings like me—middle-pack runners who generally have too many beers with pals after which determine to aim one thing a bit exterior their consolation zone. I’m Tom from Runivore, a very good buddy 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 subsequent 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 trying sturdy. Later, many zombies shuffle to the end, carrying a glance of disbelief about what they’ve simply achieved.
Within the class of 2024, the 12 months 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 occasions. 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.
Beneath 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:
- Dropping about 10 kg—principally by quitting ingesting 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 very good endurance check.
- Getting and studying to make use of mountaineering poles (extremely advisable).
- Spending time with Coach JP (a four-time FT104 finisher) and absorbing as a lot data as doable.
- My intestine feeling of what was probably the most useful coaching: doing a 400 m-elevation hill close to my home as many occasions as doable as race day neared. It’s fairly vertical, and proximity to house gave me zero excuses to not do it three or 4 occasions every week. I additionally helped Petr with some path preparation which included the primary large climb of the race.
Pre-Race Day
Friday earlier than the race
My suggestion is to get to Puli as early as doable. 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 strong sleep as doable the week earlier than—financial institution up these hours.
I used to be the primary particular person to select up my pack (advantages of understanding the organizers), performing 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 possibly can decide it up at CPC, across the 45 km mark). I included additional vitamin, a hotter long-sleeve shirt, socks, Vaseline, and a Crimson Bull.
Race Day
I slept on the venue (a wonderful 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.
Beneath, 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 lower off occasions at https://formosatrail.com/course/, Beast Runner Petr has additionally revealed 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 means of the town of Puli as you make your manner towards nature. When you hit the timber, you’ll instantly encounter the primary large climb. Take pleasure in these first 4 km of flatness—you gained’t see a lot of it for some time. The climb lasts and lasts—about 5 km of distance and 1000 m of elevation achieve—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 onerous—it’s going to be an extended 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 photographs within the tea fields—Beast Runners normally place an official photographer there. Get able to smile and have a good time ending the primary large climb of what may 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 incredible view on the turnaround—take a fast look and head again. It took me about 1 hr 40 min for the spherical journey. Be sure that to refill totally earlier than heading out once more, as a result of extra technical trails await.
If you return to CPA 2, you’ll see 40 km runners—most might be glad and smiling. Absorb these smiles; they’ll energize you. I bumped into an previous buddy right here, and we headed to the subsequent checkpoint collectively, catching up and making the kilometers fly by.
CPA 2 to CPB: Getting Type 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.” Be sure to high off your water, as temperatures may 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 sort of dramatic. The part finishes while you hit a farm highway with extra beautiful surroundings (there isn’t a lack of good views on this race). My common tempo right here was about 15 min/km—primarily because of the 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 cross and yell a pleasant “jie guo” (借過) if you must transfer by means of.
You’ll additionally cross two essential junctions: Level X—the place you may see some poor souls (they didn’t practice correctly) from the 40 km race approaching from the appropriate—and Level Y, the flip towards CPB. Should 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 wish to say we helped one another conquer obstacles, however in actuality, his expertise and never-give-up perspective helped me efficiently end the course.
CPB to CPC: Maintain 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 pals—that is the place the sphere thins out. You’ve gotten fewer pals now, however the friendships you will have 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 bit harmful. It feels cozy: there’s heat meals (they actually cook dinner up a storm), your drop bag, and a final probability to change to the 75 km. So handle enterprise rapidly and hit the highway. The largest problem of the race awaits—be sure you totally refill on vitamin 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 keep 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 provides 1 liter of water per runner (unofficially, some cheerleaders carry additional drinks and snacks).
If 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 one more time.
If you go away CPC, you’ll head downhill for five km into a 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 powerful half cometh subsequent.
Shortly after Level D, you permit the highway and head up a path towards Dajian Mountain (大尖山). ChatGPT tells me this interprets to “Large 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 subsequent highway part.
- Part 3: Bouldering to the height.
Each a kind of felt a 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 endless: you’d lookup at “stars,” understand 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 approach to go, so you retain transferring. Ultimately, you make it, and also you get a bit giddy—you’ve conquered the hardest a part of the course. (Enjoyable truth: the final kilometer of this climb took me 50 minutes in accordance with Strava.)
Should you make it to the highest, you’ll discover a way more civilized manner down—a runnable part again towards CPC. Head towards heat meals, a hearth, and your drop bag. You may be sleepy, however the occasion should go on.
CPC 2 to CPB 2: I Need to Go Dwelling
- Distance: 18 km
- Elevation Acquire: 830 m
- Highest Level: 1 500 m
The toughest half right here is leaving CPC. There’s a comfortable hearth and heat noodles, however my companion in crime was vigilant in regards to 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 for those who indulge). Wujie additionally has a few small outlets nonetheless open the place you will get a chilly caffeinated beverage.
After you permit 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 mountaineering poles had been tremendous useful as we made our manner up. It feels superb to complete that “final climb” (spoiler: there’s at all times yet one more). Shortly after, you arrive at CPB 2 to be met by smiling volunteers. It was right here I first believed I might truly 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 bottom line is to absorb 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 chunk of apple, some Coke, refilled my bottles with extra energy, and hit the path.
You’ve already achieved the subsequent 2.5 km path part through the climb to CPB 2—that is actually 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 endless, a bit too steep downhill.
Should 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, acquired hugged by my family members and pals, and checked my watch—realizing it took precisely 24 hr 3 min to change into 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 really felt it myself.
Enormous 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 doable; my spouse, for placing up with my working adventures; and my pals, for supporting and difficult me to strive these loopy runs.
Beneath are some pics from our journey collectively – image credit score to JP.