As a trail runner and race organizer in Taiwan for the past decade, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible growth and transformation of the trail running scene. Looking ahead, this year is shaping up to be a landmark year for outdoor sports, with trail running at the forefront. This sport, which I’ve seen evolve and flourish, is now attracting a diverse mix of local and international enthusiasts.
Reflecting on the pandemic years, it’s clear that the enforced isolation and social distancing created a deep longing for outdoor activities. People, once confined indoors, have emerged with a renewed appreciation for nature’s freedom and beauty. As restrictions eased, many, including myself, turned to trail running not just for physical exercise but as a means of adventure and escape.
What makes Taiwan a trail runner’s paradise is its diverse landscapes. From the rugged mountains to serene coastal paths, the natural diversity here is unmatched. This, combined with the growing interest in health and outdoor activities post-pandemic, has set the stage for a significant expansion of our trail running community.
Photo Courtesy of Beast RunnersAP
What’s So Special About Trail Running in Taiwan?
CONNECTION TO NATURE
Photo Courtesy of Runivore
In my experience, trail running in Taiwan offers a truly intimate connection with nature. The trails, often set in lush jungles, take you through streams, up mountains, and along ridges. They’re technical and challenging; a 7km trail can take up to two hours to complete. Take Explore Your Backyard, for instance, a race I’ve been closely involved with, which includes a 1,000-meter elevation gain over just 13km.
The trails here cater to all levels of endurance, from short runs to the 104km Formosa Trail race, featuring a 5,500m elevation gain and a 30-hour limit. Trail running often requires more than just running shoes — a well-equipped pack is essential for safety and comfort.
One aspect I particularly love is the accessibility of trails, even in urban areas like Taipei. You can find solitude and stunning views, such as glimpses of Taipei 101, while being just moments away from the city’s hustle. This makes trail running a uniquely convenient escape.
Photo Courtesy of Runivore
SPOTLIGHT ON KEY TRAIL RUNNING EVENTS
The trail running scene in Taiwan offers a wide range of events, and I’ve seen many of them grow over the years. In Taipei, Explore Your Backyard, which we (Runivore) co-organize with Beast Runners, offers routes for all levels. The Wuzhi Mountain Trail Challenge is another event that showcases the beautiful trails in Taipei’s Shilin District (士林).
Heading to New Taipei City, events like Venture Treks’ Shifen Trail Shihfen District (十分) and the summer Tiger Leopard Trail in Shuangsi District (雙溪) offer breathtaking views and challenging routes. The ChaCha Trail in Yilan County, less known to foreigners but gaining popularity, offers great running experiences.
World-class events like XTERRA in Kenting and the Formosa Trail, a Western States qualifier, are drawing international runners. The Formosa Trail, in particular, has become a festival for over a thousand participants, offering some of Taiwan’s most challenging routes.
HOW TO FIND A RACE FOR YOU
If you’re interested in trail running, I recommend checking out Runner’s Plaza for event listings. The Facebook group The Sarcastic Runners is also a fantastic resource, with discussions on upcoming races and a yearly event calendar. I hope to see you at one of these events, sharing the trails and the experiences that have become a significant part of my life.
Tomasz Hasinski, a seasoned trail runner and race organizer, has called Taiwan home for over a decade. He can be reached at Tom@runivore.com.
Nov. 11 to Nov. 17 People may call Taipei a “living hell for pedestrians,” but back in the 1960s and 1970s, citizens were even discouraged from crossing major roads on foot. And there weren’t crosswalks or pedestrian signals at busy intersections. A 1978 editorial in the China Times (中國時報) reflected the government’s car-centric attitude: “Pedestrians too often risk their lives to compete with vehicles over road use instead of using an overpass. If they get hit by a car, who can they blame?” Taipei’s car traffic was growing exponentially during the 1960s, and along with it the frequency of accidents. The policy
What first caught my eye when I entered the 921 Earthquake Museum was a yellow band running at an angle across the floor toward a pile of exposed soil. This marks the line where, in the early morning hours of Sept. 21, 1999, a massive magnitude 7.3 earthquake raised the earth over two meters along one side of the Chelungpu Fault (車籠埔斷層). The museum’s first gallery, named after this fault, takes visitors on a journey along its length, from the spot right in front of them, where the uplift is visible in the exposed soil, all the way to the farthest
While Americans face the upcoming second Donald Trump presidency with bright optimism/existential dread in Taiwan there are also varying opinions on what the impact will be here. Regardless of what one thinks of Trump personally and his first administration, US-Taiwan relations blossomed. Relative to the previous Obama administration, arms sales rocketed from US$14 billion during Obama’s eight years to US$18 billion in four years under Trump. High-profile visits by administration officials, bipartisan Congressional delegations, more and higher-level government-to-government direct contacts were all increased under Trump, setting the stage and example for the Biden administration to follow. However, Trump administration secretary
The room glows vibrant pink, the floor flooded with hundreds of tiny pink marbles. As I approach the two chairs and a plush baroque sofa of matching fuchsia, what at first appears to be a scene of domestic bliss reveals itself to be anything but as gnarled metal nails and sharp spikes protrude from the cushions. An eerie cutout of a woman recoils into the armrest. This mixed-media installation captures generations of female anguish in Yun Suknam’s native South Korea, reflecting her observations and lived experience of the subjugated and serviceable housewife. The marbles are the mother’s sweat and tears,
RSS