Running through Nanjing County in China: the great hakka race

8 of us from our school traveled to the great hakka marathon over Thanksgiving weekend (we had Friday off). It took 8 hours to get there. We traveled high speed train to Xiamen and then a bus ride to the hotel in Nanjing County, Fujian province. Before the bus ride we picked up our packets at the airport.

The hotel was better than most in China and we were happy for that as we were able to get a good nights sleep (we see cats on everything in China.)

Before dinner we were offered tea downstairs in the foyer of the hotel. They were very nice and told us we were all beautiful. I’m afraid they would not say that after we finish the run the next day. After tea, they walked us to a local restaurant they recommendef and it was fabulous.

The bus to the race start took an hour over the mountains and to the other side. They had entertainment and warm ups.

We were asked to be in a part for their promo video. We are the group walking to the start line and I’m wearing a red top (I filmed the showing of it in when it was played at the celebration dinner.)

The run was beautiful. Gorgeous weather. We ran through the countryside through villages and we even had to run in a hakka house! I wore a go pro to film along the way. I need to learn to keep my arms out of the way of the camera. If you ever wondered what a half marathon is like or the views in China, here it is. 2 hours and 8 minutes time lapsed to 8 minutes. You can pause parts of the video.

I finished slower than I normally do but I had a fall 3 weeks ago and fell hard on the right knee striking the patellar tendon. I was unable to run the last 3 weeks so just happy I finished it. But I did finish 8th with a time of 2 hours 6 minutes. The course was more technical than the pittsburgh half with uneven trails and winding runs through alleys in villages. More hills as well.

Here is a pic from the end of the race.

While I was waiting for one of our group to finish the marathon we walked around the village and into a hakka house.

Video of hakka House. The round house holds many families, each with their own space, and a common area in the middle. They cook outside their doors. The houses have been standing for centuries.