Full Marathon No. 34: New Taipei City WJS (Wan Jin Shi) Marathon 2023 新北市萬金市馬拉松

Full/Ultra Marathon No. 35

Taiwan New Taipei City WJS (Wan Jin Shi) Marathon 2023 台灣新北市萬金市馬拉松 was my first overseas race after covid pandemic.

The last overseas full marathon was Tokyo Marathon 2018 on Feb 18, 2018.

This running event is extremely popular with Taiwanese. They had to go through a ballot process to gain entry into this race.

Luckily for foreign runners like myself, it's a guaranteed entry once registered and paid the fee.

Event Name:

Taiwan New Taipei City WJS (Wan Jin Shi) Marathon 2023 台灣新北市萬金市馬拉松

Event Website:

https://wanjinshi-marathon.com.tw/

Event Date:

March 19, 2023

Distance:

42km full marathon

Full/Ultra Marathon No. in all countries:

No. 35

Full/Ultra Marathon No. in Taiwan:

No. 4

Running Shoe:

Asics Dynablast 3

Run Time:

4 hours 26 minutes 15 seconds

Net Time:

4 hours 25 minutes 20 seconds

Race Course

Taiwan New Taipei City WJS (Wan Jin Shi) Marathon 2023 台灣新北市萬金市馬拉松 is Taiwan's one and only road race awarded with the ROAD RACE ELITE LABEL by World Athletics.

The 42km race course has breathtaking scenic ocean and coastal views, running along the coastal roads in Northern Taiwan. It was highly recommended by my Taiwanese friend to join this event.

Race Kit Collection

I collected my race kit at First Stadium at Banqiao, New Taipei City. Since many runners opted for mail delivery for their race kits, the race kit collection venue was rather empty and the process was very smooth.

Race Day Preparation

I stayed near Taipei station. It's very convenient for me to walk to the shuttle bus station to the event venue. The night before race day, I had my running attire and running bib all prepared. lol! It has been 5 years since I last ran in cold weather in overseas. I was a bit nervous.

Race Day Shuttle Bus Service (Taipei Station to Race Venue)

I purchased the shuttle bus ticket package during registration. The race started at 6.30am. But I had to be at the pick-up point at Kuo-Kuang Bus Taipei Terminal between 3.30am - 4.00am. The journey took around 50 min to reach event venue. Hence, I woke up at around 2am to have ample time of preparation. I was so afraid to miss the bus. haha!

The logistics of the shuttle bus service was excellent. With the shuttle ticket, the bus boarding was a breeze. Everyone was so polite, so friendly, and so organised. All queued up properly. Once the bus was fully occupied, the bus would move. And there were many buses hence no waiting time at all.

Race Day Venue

By the time I reached the race venue, it was still relatively dark. The weather was cold. And since it's near coastal line next to the ocean, the strong wind made it even colder. To make it more exciting, it started to drizzle too. I was so looking forward to this brand new running experience at this beautiful scenic running course.

Group C Start Line

When I registered, I was asked for an expected finish time. I put down estimated finish time to be 4 hours 30 min. I didn't realise that event organiser would use it to group runners into different group.

For my finish time, I was grouped into Pen C, which they call it Marathon Staging Zone C, at start line. There were 4:00 hour, 4:15 hour and 4:30 hour pacers for Zone C.

I wasn't expecting myself to run a fast race. I wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the warmth of Taiwanese running community.

In fact, I had my phone in my hand most of the times while running so that I could take some shots along the running journey.

42km Full Marathon (Photos by Professional Photographers)

There were many professional photographers from various photography groups along the scenic course. Here are the running photos I managed to download, with all full credits given to the professional photographers at New Taipei City WJS (Wan Jin Shi) Marathon 2023 新北市萬金市馬拉松.

Running Photos Set 1

My eyes kept looking at the ocean on my right at the first 21km. The ocean view was so beautiful with strong wave. It was drizzling and windy. Quite cold indeed! But Taiwan people are so warm and friendly. They made me feel very warm even with only a running tee.

Running Photos Set 2

The running route involved some uphills as well. I was in Japan for 2 weeks right before this Taiwan race. Hence, I didn't have much training beforehand. But it's okay. I just wanted to enjoy the journey!

When I looked at the photos, I was so impressed by the female runner in front of me. She could all smile to the photographers while I was panting like a dog already, tired out by the uphill. lol! Salute to her!

Running Photos Set 3

Yeah - I took out my iPhone to take videos and photos when I ran. This was rather rare for me. I couldn't quite remember the last time I ran a race and took photo at the same time. Maybe more than 10 years ago? I used to chase for better finish time. No time to take photos. lol!

But now, I started to take photos along the run. It's truly a mindset change in running especially after covid pandemic. I started to realise that i can no longer run as fast as before with my age catching up.

I shall change my mindset to run for health and enjoyment instead of chasing after better time.

With that mindset, I started to relax more but my time also has significantly slowed down a lot!

Oh well, what the heck!

It's not the destination, it's the journey we shall enjoy - not only during running, but also in life, right?

Running Photos Set 4

I am glad I had some of my running photos taken with the scenic coastal and ocean as background. It's the view scenic and breathtaking?

I love it so much! I stopped a few times just to enjoy the scenery!

Somehow, it reminded me of the time I ran Ocean Island Marathon at my hometown Pulau Langkawi. Boy - I missed running along the sea and beach and the coast!

Running Photos Set 5

Personally I love this shot taken from an overhead bridge by professional photographer! I had my phone in my hand still. This was near finish line already. And I was hoping to finish in style! lol!

Running Photos Set 6

I love this set of photos near finish line! I could still smile! Why couldn't I?

I had so so much to be thankful for!

Scenic ocean view; cold nice weather; drizzling rain to keep me fresh; hospitable Taiwanese to keep my heart warm; cheering from volunteers and supporters throughout 42km making the whole running experience so excited; and first overseas run since 2018 - all these experiences made me very happy with smiling face (as much as I could except torturing times when uphills, etc. haha!)

Running Photos Set 7

Taking videos and photos while running was easy. My hand was full of sweat. My phone was also covered with sweat and the rain water. I couldn't even swipe open my phone camera few times. And these candid shots said t all! haha!

42km Full Marathon (Photos shot with my iPhone while running)

Here are more photos taken by me while running.

Friendly Supporters / Volunteers & Lots of Food at Water Stations

One of the main reasons why I love to run in Taiwan:

The warm and hospitable Taiwanese running community, supporters and volunteers.

They made runners feel so welcome and so encouraged with their ever loud, energetic and enthusiastic shouts and cheers! Gosh! These moments are so so precious!

Thank you Taiwan people for making us runners feel so so welcome and encouraged! I love you all!

How about the food at water stations?

cherry tomatoes
chocolates
waffles
biscuits and cookies
bananas
energy gels
mineral water

I stopped at every water / food station to eat all types of the food provided by organisers. At one point, I had a waffle stuffed in my mouth, and another pack in my hand while running! lol! So much nice food to eat! I was already full when I reached finish line!

42km Finish Line

As I reached finish line, I also snapped some shots.

Each finisher was given a huge towel (instead of finisher t-shirt) , mineral water, finisher medal and lots of goodies in the goodie bag.

What I was most anticipating after each run in Taiwan was the warm food!

This round we were given

a bowl of warm soup (imagine drinking warm soup in cold weather after a run! How considerate!)
a meat dumplings (wow! it's yummy! My last race in Taiwan was a hot warm braised chicken rice bento!)
pack of sandwich
water
chocolates