Post-Race Report: 2019 K.K. Flex Power Cup Ultramarathon
[IAU Website Article Link]
Prepared by Frank KUO and Samantha YING-HSIU WANG
General info
Race name: K.K. Flex Power Cup Ultramarathon 2019
Race place and date: Daan Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan; October 20, 2019
Race distance and label: 50K Track and Bronze Label
Introduction
The 9th edition of K.K. Flex Power Cup Ultramarathon took place at National Taiwan University’s track on Sunday, October 20. This is the one and only 50K race held on the track in Taiwan. The participants are easy to pace themselves and refresh their own records in the track race. Besides 50K race, there are also a 6H relay race. Besides the local runners, there is one special invited athlete from Hong Kong – LAI, HO-KI, the second place of Rotary Hong Kong Ultramarathon 2019 with 03:28:42 performance. Altogether, 426 runners take part in this year’s race. K.K. Flex Power Cup Ultramarathon is one of the eight events organized by the Chinese Taipei Association of Ultrarunners and the first event in the 2019-2020running season.
The 50K and 6H relay race starts at 8 AM. (Photo: WANG, YING-HSIU; CTAU Staff)
Runners’ presentation
Mr. LI Chih-Chun and Mr. HONG Yi-Ren, the two former male national record holders, take part in the race and lead the race after start. Ms. YANG Chiao-Chu who is the current female national holder run her third 50K race. More and more regular marathon runners, like the above 3 , start to challenge 50K ultramarathon in recent year and aiming to break the national record. The full marathon speed and the energy make the race even more exciting to anticipate the new records.
Mr. LI and Mr. HONG, the two former male national record holders, take part in the race and lead the race after start. (Photo: WANG, YING-HSIU; CTAU Staff)
The continuous up going temperature of that day were a tough test to runners. Mr. HONG runs the first 25K less than 1hr40mins. It seems the winning is very optimistic. Unfortunately, he felt leg pain and dropped out the race. Meanwhile, Mr. LI and Mr. LAI Ho-Ki from Hong Kong persistently run the 400 meter lap on the track and keep resist the heat and deal with the leg cramps. They finished 50K in 50 seconds before and after: 3hrs 35mins 13secs and 3hrs 36mins 3secs. While in woman side, Ms. YANG refresh female race record by 3hrs 53mins 20secs but not the personal and national records. At the end of the race, Ms. YANG is the only runner reach the IAU national level.
Mr. LAI Ho-Ki from Hong Kong persistently run the 400 meter lap on the track and keep resist the heat and finished 50K in 3hrs 36mins 3secs. (Photo: WANG, YING-HSIU; CTAU Staff)
In the 6H relay race, Mr. LI, Tzai-Li, the Commissioner of the Department of Sports Taipei City Government, join the race as a guide runner. (Photo: WANG, YING-HSIU; CTAU Staff)
Race report
Female Top 5 Results
1. YANG, CHIAO-CHU (TPE) 03:53:20
2. CHEN, HSIU-CHING (TPE) 04:14:10
3. CHEN, YI-JU (TPE) 04:40:49
4. WANG, YIN-CHIH (TPE) 05:00:05
5.CHEN, LI-AN (TPE) 05:45:36
Male Top 5 Results
1. LI, CHIH-CHUN (TPE) 03:35:13
2. LAI, HO-KI (HKG) 03:36:03
3. CHEN, YUNG-CHENG (TPE) 03:40:14
4. KUO, CHI-HSIANG (TPE) 03:47:09
5. CHUNG, YI-LIN (TPE) 04:01:30
Mr. LI and Ms. YANG, the 50K male and female champion, on the track. (Photo: WANG, YING-HSIU; CTAU Staff)
