Fuzhao Xiang continues her march upward at the Vibram Hong Kong 100k where she has finished fourth, third, and, now, second over the past three runnings. In the our first interview with her, Fuzhao talks about her running past, how she feels about her results, and what she hopes to do in the future.
Be sure to read our results article for the full race story.
Fuzhao Xiang Post-2019 Vibram Hong Kong 100k Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Fuzhao Xiang after her second-place finish at the 2019 Vibram Hong Kong 100k. Congratulations on your great race!
Fuzhao Xiang: Thank you!
iRunFar: You have come to this race. You have place fourth, third, and second. How does it feel to take this second place?
Xiang: I positioned myself in the past several years. For example with nutrition, I made progress year after year. I’m happy with the result.
iRunFar: So you’re happy. Second place is very good.
Xiang: Last year and this year, the number one lady is professional. I’m just an amateur trail runner.
iRunFar: You consider yourself an amateur runner even after your success?
Xiang: I loved fitness and training before, but now I am more into trail running.
iRunFar: When did you start trail and ultramarathons?
Xiang: During my school year, the second year in my school year, I really started to do all kinds of running and some other sports like cycling and all these kinds of competitions. After I graduated I started to do more trail running.
iRunFar: How long ago was that?
Xiang: Since 2015.
iRunFar: Only a few years. Why do you keep coming back to the Hong Kong 100k?
Xiang: Although there is a 5.3k extra this year, most of the route is similar to what I’ve one before. I want to see how I improve year after year.
iRunFar: Do you think you can improve one more position and take first?
Xiang: Instead of winning Hong Kong 100k, I’d rather see how I improve between checkpoints and how my time improves. It’s all about self-achievement.
iRunFar: That’s a great approach.
Xiang: I haven’t run it for many years, so I have lots of room to improve.
iRunFar: How old are you?
Xiang: I’m only 27. I look at ultra-trail running races, there’s one runner from Adidas who is 46 years old. Overseas there are so many strong women runners who achieve good times when they reach 40 years old. I still have a long way to go and lots of time to improve myself.
iRunFar: Absolutely. Do you have any hopes to test yourself in Europe or in the United States?
Xiang: In 2018 I did UTMB and finished in 20th position. I love sleep. Maybe as time goes by I can improve this kind of sleepiness. 160k is so long. Maybe one day I can conquer this kind of distance.
iRunFar: Maybe the CCC is a good race for you?
Xiang: If there’s no overnight, I’m happy.
iRunFar: Do you have a favorite race in China you’d recommend for the rest of the world to come see?
Xiang: I recommend the on race in Ziajiang Province called Pujiang, a 100k. There’s along [XTrail] Gongga [Trail Run] 100k, which is high altitude. I love these two races specifically. The Pujiang [International Trail] Race is quite technical.
iRunFar: Thank you very much, and congratulations!
Xiang: Thank you.
