danzhou marathon happier than pb is being together

This is my third time coming to Hainan. The first time was with my parents; the second time was with someone I once loved; the third time, I came with Tencent Running to attend a renowned island marathon. I'm not the fastest runner, but I'm definitely the one having the most fun.

As soon as I got off the plane, the strong fishy smell in the wind excited me. Growing up inland, kids always have an inexplicable love for the smell of the sea. I hurried to the pre-booked homestay, dropped my backpack, and went out to find food. At midnight in December, the bustling food stalls are probably unique to Hainan. After a bowl of Qingbuliang, I still wanted more and had another bowl of Jishiteng. It was my first time seeing this name, and I waited anxiously for it to be served. It turned out to be a plant juice made into something like rice cakes. I won't tell you how it tastes; just remember the name! And when you come to Hainan, make sure to try it.

Me eating Jishiteng

Jishiteng

The next day, we received a warm welcome from the islanders. I always thought the people from the three northeastern provinces were the most enthusiastic and straightforward, but I was wrong; the islanders won! Their straightforwardness is even more evident during the race, with saltwater spraying out! Let's first recommend some snacks from Haikou!

Coconut chicken is a must-try!

Hainan traditional Laoba tea

Because it's full of old men, it's actually just afternoon tea, haha.

Afternoon tea cold drinks can be refilled for free!

Vinegar can be used to cook hotpot!

Hainan noodles can only be eaten in the morning!

When drinking lemon tea, you have to crush the lemon!

You have to add salt to the fruit!

Remember, you have to try these when you come!

The only thing I can't accept is the salted watermelon! Dear readers, resist the urge to try it! Leave this memory to Hainan; local things should be done locally!

Let's recommend a few more delicious spots in Haikou.

Wu Ribiao's garlic ribs

Chen Ji's spicy soup rice, really delicious

Nanmen Chicken Rice Restaurant

At this point, I have to talk about the profound influence of chicken on the people of Hainan Island. Long story short, on the holidays when we northerners eat dumplings, the islanders eat chicken! Today it's boiled, tomorrow it's for hotpot, and the day after it's stir-fried. So, when you come to Hainan, you must eat more chicken. Sorry for digressing, we seem to be talking about a race.

Since we're all runners, after eating all day, we naturally had to go for a run in the evening! We chose the route around Haidian Island.

A bit over 14k, another good route is Wanlu Park, but it's only 5k, not exciting enough for us marathoners.

Pre-run snapshot

Post-run snapshot, all sweaty

After a lap, feeling refreshed, a post-run cup of Haikou's special old salt lemon water replenishes electrolytes and satisfies cravings. Running on the island is so much fun! This is a must-try for runners!

Dehuixuan old salt water

Century Bridge at night

On Saturday, we drove to Danzhou to pick up our race kits, preparing for Sunday's race. Friends from other places can fly directly to Haikou or Sanya, and then take a bus or drive to Danzhou. I think renting a car with a few friends and driving to Danzhou on the toll-free highways is a great choice. Today, our driver was the famous runner Taotao, driving three beautiful ladies. Taotao couldn't stop smiling. The car was driven very steadily, a five-star driver you can trust.

Driver Lao Tao, driver Xiao Fu, thank you for your hard work.

At the race kit pickup, we met up with the Tencent team and Haikou's good-looking friends.

I take a photo

I take another photo

I take photos fearlessly

Mutual followers, commercial mutual praise

The coffee and mackerel at the expo are not to be missed, full of local specialties. Although the Danzhou Marathon pickup area is small, it is very orderly. Opening the race pack, I was charmed by the envelope containing the bib number, which said, 'With you on the road, the mountains and rivers are safe.'

I guess I'm someone easily moved by details. Details reflect sincerity, and I started to understand why this city, which I had never heard of before, hosts the most well-regarded race in Hainan. Then we started the 'Make Shao Xiaobang Smile' campaign. I shouted, 'Shao Xiaobang! Smile for xx!' Finally, Bang couldn't hold back his joy and smiled. The photo captured this moment. I think it was the cutest smile I saw on this trip, a moment of comfort, relaxation, and ease. So, when you see the camera, make sure to smile!

The weather on the day of the Danzhou Marathon was great, with a light drizzle and no scorching sun. But today, I didn't want to be a serious runner. Maybe I wasn't mentally prepared. Have you ever felt like you wanted to find the sweeper bus as soon as you started running? That feeling of wanting to be serious but not being able to can only be attributed to eating too much the past few days, haha.

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Met the 500 pacer before the race, snapshot!

Teacher Fan and Bang Bang both said the day before that they would run with me, but as soon as Bang crossed the arch, he disappeared. I heard he finished 12th in his age group. This story tells us not to trust married men (jokingly). Teacher Fan is adorable, saying he couldn't run and indeed didn't run. Actually, the title of 'Mr. Can't Run' should go to Teacher Fan, honest and cute. Here's a confession.

Strolling with Teacher Fan, we met Sohu's Teacher Wen, and we happily ran at a 7:00 pace. After 1k, the following conversation occurred:

Teacher Wen: 'Ah, my heart rate is up to 186, you guys go ahead, don't wait for me.'

Me: 'Teacher Wen, slow down, we're running at this pace.'

Hahaha. You see, even though we're not fast, we're still trying our best, which is the greatest affirmation of ourselves and the biggest meaning of the marathon.

Teacher Fan showcasing speed and passion (gif)

All the way, I was looking for Xiao Sha on the opposite return track, wondering how he was doing since he was sick. Unexpectedly, I found Taotao, who was about 15k in. There weren't many people ahead of him. I thought to myself, wow, is he that fast? Sure enough, he slowed down later, haha.

Elite Tao, running online

Slowly, on the opposite track, I saw the 500 pacer Adang and others who ran with me on Haidian Island. After a lot of shouting, I decided to chase the 500 pacer with Teacher Fan. We started the 'Overtake 100 People' plan, running two kilometers. Fan's watch showed a 5-minute pace, mine showed 4:45. I didn't care, I followed mine. Finally, we sped up a bit, of course choosing the faster one. Still didn't catch up, gave up because there were chicken legs on the roadside! First time seeing chicken legs on the track, took a bite, delicious.

At my pace, I could still see chicken legs, showing how ample the supplies were. The energy gels were GU, but I didn't take any, leaving them for those who needed them.

After the race, I heard someone called the organizing committee to specifically praise the 500 pacer for being very responsible. I was also very happy to see this. Having such friends is a kind of pride, isn't it? Being a pacer is a responsibility, a commitment. I hope that when you run a marathon, the pacers around you are as trustworthy as they are.

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Confession to the 500 pacer

Danzhou's famous Heartbreak Hill, my heart didn't break, nothing broke. Because I walked. At that time, it was drizzling, the kind you wouldn't notice unless you paid attention, but suddenly felt a cool drop on your nose. The forest park beside the track was shrouded in mist, it was so beautiful.

I said, 'Teacher Fan, let's quit the race and go climb the mountain.'

Teacher Fan said, 'Okay!'

Then we continued to run slowly... Oh, men, oh, women. But having a friend to accompany you and dawdle with you feels really good.

Scenery too picturesque to capture with a phone

Next came the moment when the simple and straightforward islanders burst with passion. I was still dawdling when an uncle shouted at me, 'Why are you walking? Run! How can you walk! How can you face yourself!' I was speechless, couldn't argue, it sounded like a compliment... haha. Speaking of the volunteers at the Danzhou Marathon, they deserve a big thumbs up. Although there weren't many of them, they were full of enthusiasm. Especially the cute kids along the track. After returning to the hotel, everyone said during dinner that the kids were so passionate, they couldn't help but speed up! It shows how much this city recognizes and loves the Danzhou Marathon.

Student brother

At 20k, international runners had already reached 40k, although on different tracks. Teacher Fan even raced with them, showing no pressure. I didn't praise him then, but I will now. So cute, hahaha. In the last kilometer, I wanted to speed up but also didn't want to. Afraid that the rain-soaked clothes would dry too quickly and I'd forget the taste of Hainan, afraid that once friends crossed the finish line, I wouldn't know when I'd see them again.

Met a beautiful girl at 20k

Feeling down again, missing everything about the island. I didn't even want to write about the perfect race pack, but it was so good that not writing about it felt like a loss. Honestly, opening the race pack was like opening a lucky bag... slippers, towel, T-shirt, apple, banana, coffee, drinks... there was even a bag for stinky shoes and socks, so thoughtful. This is the cutest race pack I've ever seen.

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I haven't been this happy in a long time.

Whether it was wandering the streets of Haikou, eating and drinking.

Or the laughter and gossip on the way to Danzhou.

Or the pre-race dinner with the Tencent team, being the only girl in the group, feeling no pressure, very happy.

Good times are always short, the warm-up just ended and we were at the finish line.

A bit unsatisfied, a bit wanting to say there's more to come.

I wrote with joy, but several times I felt like crying.

Maybe too much seriousness, too little joy.

Maybe too high expectations, too little enjoyment.

A PW at the Danzhou Marathon, I can PW again next time. Maybe that's how life is, always leaving some regrets, some memories to move forward. This is also my biggest motivation to see you all again and to come back to Danzhou.

I think, if you are a marathon enthusiast and happen to crave sunshine in the windy December, why not use your almost-expired annual leave to come to the southernmost part of the country, climb the famous Heartbreak Hill, meet the warm and simple islanders, and most importantly, try the island-flavored salted watermelon. :)

If you are a serious runner, the undulating course like waves is the best way to test your training level; if you are a laid-back runner like me, the Danzhou Marathon has enough reasons for you to 'enjoy the race' without guilt, because there are too many hills, bad for the knees, haha! Of course, you can also enjoy authentic island food in Haikou before and after the race, relax on the beach in the resort city of Sanya, and shop at the country's cheapest duty-free store. It's a win-win!

Thanks to Tencent Sports for taking me on this journey. Feel free to watch various live sports events on Tencent Video, with high clarity and smooth playback. Sorry for the hard sell, but the most important thing is that while you're watching, I'm watching too, and we can say hi in the comments. Hahaha. Since I worked so hard on this ad, can I shout out from afar?

'Teacher Fan, can you take me to the Danzhou Marathon next year?'