Friday April 24, 2009 I and my staff departed Manila for Macau for our yearly company retreat. Even before leaving Manila I already have told myself that I shall squeeze in during the occasion my personal run/race walk. Given the two occasions for the year 2009 to have done the bridges run in Cebu-Mactan, it was a great opportunity and a must to do a bridge run between Taipa Island and Macau Island.
Macau and Taipa Islands are interconnected by three (3) bridges namely, “Sai Van Bridge” on the west, the “Macau-Taipa Bridge” on the center and the “Friendship Bridge” on the east. As per information provided by Best Western Taipa Hotel where I was staying, only the “Macau-Taipa” Bridge is allowed to be used for pedestrian crossing. It is also the oldest bridge of the three.
Armed only with very limited knowledge of the actual route to do for the run, on Saturday April 25, 2009 at 4:21am with light rain and air temperature at 22C and all pumped up I departed the Taipa Hotel trying to find my way to the maize of street in Taipa Island to lead me to the middle bridge – “Macau-Taipa Bridge”.
Just in time that I was entering the bridge, heavy rain started to fall. At this time, my mind was all set and nothing can stop me regardless of what. The only thing in my mind was to make sure to complete the bridge run. Even with the rain, I cannot but congratulate myself for doing the run as this is the cleanest air that I have experience with no pollution, with sea breeze, the just about the right air temperature.
Having reached Macau Island I went further passed the bridge to be able to take picture of Wynn Casino and the Lisboa Casino. Even at 5:30am the light display in the area was fantastic. Having completed my photo session, I headed back to the bridge to return to Taipa Island telling myself that I have done what I intended to do. However, just before completing my return run of the bridge my Garmin Forerunner 405 was only indicating a distance cover of a little over 8km which was below my usual daily run. Right there and then I crossed the opposite lane and reverted direction back to Macau Island for another crossing to satisfy my graving.
I have actually done four crossing and completed a distance of 14.30km for a time of 01h59m08s for a speed 7.20km/hr and a pace of 8.33min/km on heavy down pour of rain. To any of you guys who shall in the future be in Macau for whatever purpose, I highly recommend to you to do this run. It is all fresh air and great view of the bridges and the sea.
I still plan to redo the run tomorrow Sunday before going back to Manila. Hopefully, the rain will not be there.
Macau-Taipa Bridge great experience.
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