Valencia Marathon 2024 EP5 - Expo & Race Day

It’s race weekend, and we’re running the Valencia Marathon 2024-one of the most exciting marathon events in the world! Join me as we explore the Valencia Marathon Expo, and I take you behind the scenes of my last-minute race preparations. Experience the atmosphere as we gear up for race day in the stunning city of Valencia, Spain, all while facing challenging warm weather conditions.
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#ValenciaMarathon2024 #RunningVlog #MarathonTraining #Marathon #valencia #pov

[@patrickedwards5804]

Let's be clear Mr Wu, your frankness, transparency and openness is only matched by your guts committment, focus and mentality. Mate, every second of your vlogs is worth a hundred of tbe other strutting, preening running vlogs that are uber branded ego trips and not the true lament that running can be. You maybe didn't make these vlogs with this narrative in mind but rest assured you have in your corner a band of committed followers in your corner. We back you to the finish what ever that looks like. Respect!

[@TheWu]

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated my friend 🫡 Glad you enjoy the content.

[@itsonandy]

Your best video mate. So raw and honest about what it takes to run a marathon at a pretty competitive standard. Huge achievement and doing it in that weather too - we cooked. Thanks for having me on the video!

[@TheWu]

Pleasure was all mine bro. I learnt things from you and your uplifting energy really helped me on the race morning. Until we meet again 🫡

[@conradburdekin722]

Two of my favourite KZbinrs on one video! 👍👍👍

[@TheWu]

Haha , 👌🏽 I’m sure I’ll see Andy again for more content in the future!

[@kennyosborne5835]

To run 3.04 on a ‘bad’ day when by your own admission you hadn’t really prepared is a major positive. Keep going and perhaps next time it will be the one. Great to see you back!

[@TheWu]

Yes! Thank you!

[@jameschaves5723]

Wil you are so candid and raw. Definitely the best video. I watch a lot of these KZbinrs and your the most honest. I’m not sugar coating anything but you will know when it’s going to happen. Training goes well and weather is good, keep inspiring everyone

[@TheWu]

I appreciate that! Thanks for the comment. I feel I'm back to a good fitness and definitely in a better place to build and make the next training phase really focused on the sub 3 marathon.

[@RunwithKush]

Agree with Andy, your best video for your hardest run. Captures all the trials and tribulations of being "all in" over the marathon distance. And like you said, we've all been in the shoes of every single type of runner on the course. The one that PBs, the one that cramps, the one that needs a shit, the one with dried snot and dribble on that side of the face. We get it. We get what you're going through. So I hope you stay healthy, physically and mentally, keep enjoying running and training and I look forward to the next race vlog.

[@TheWu]

Appreciate it mate! Hope your running is going well. What’s next in your calendar?

[@RunwithKush]

@ It’s going well, thanks. Making gradual improvements. London Winter run next, some league races in Leicestershire and most likely Manchester Marathon.

[@TheWu]

Ah Manchester, they have a new finish line location. I won’t be there next year. I’ve done it too many times in a row 😂

[@Mack.Tracks]

Congrats on your performance there, Will, and thanks for making this excellent showcase of the Valencia experience!

[@TheWu]

Cheers Mack, hope training for the 10km is going good.

[@drewhurst3643]

You’re an inspiration mate, true grit and determination. These aren’t just empty words, you’ll get what you want I’m a 100% certain. What a man, congratulations 💪🏻

[@TheWu]

Thanks Drew as always. I'm already planning my next move and actually was going to dm you soon to pick your brains like I have in the past.

[@drewhurst3643]

@@TheWu sounds good mate yeah drop me one when you fancy it we’ll have a good chat about stuff 👍🏻

[@YeeCChan]

Marvel: "Infinity War is the most ambitious crossover event in history" Me: The Wu and itsonandy Well done with the race, looked like a rough one to get through, looked very warm indeed and well done to your brothers as well. Loved the video.

[@TheWu]

😅 thanks I’m sure I’ll see Andy again in the future !

[@accidentalactivist9633]

That's a great time in the conditions, you should be proud. Great video, congratulations.

[@TheWu]

Yes, thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Mark-bf2ro]

A lovely bloke and a lovely family, Will. All the very best to you

[@TheWu]

Appreciate the comment 🙏🏽

[@lorrainecowan7288]

Well done in the heat time good i did chester marathon took me long this year 6 21 but it amanzing

[@TheWu]

Well done!

[@RussSm1ths]

Great video, been following your journey to sub 3 since Amsterdam, never give up - it will happen and I’ll be here for it.

[@TheWu]

Thanks man, I’m on that road to it for sure! Appreciate the comment.

[@conradburdekin722]

Lovely seeing all the family enjoying themselves together 😊

[@TheWu]

It was such a great way to keep my mind off the race leading up and not getting stressed about it.

[@roberto8563]

The two guys I was following for Valencia 💥 Well done Will. Looking forward to the journey ahead.

[@TheWu]

Thanks, oh by the way the laces you asked about are called RUNNIES HYDROPHOBIC SHOELACES. On a website called Mr Lacy

[@japanesemeandmyfamily145]

Hey William. I ran Valencia Marathon last weekend and struggled to get little if any sleep all weekend. Video brought back some great memories and congratulations on finishing another marathon.

[@TheWu]

Nice , how did you get on? Yea I'm sure the lack of sleep for me on the Friday effected me. Saturday was a very tiring day with a headache, definitely not the best prep but I didn't stress over it and just ran what i could.

[@raymondfu2772]

Very entertaining video. Hugo and Oscar added more fun. Very proud of you boys running and enjoying dinner together. 👏🙌

[@TheWu]

Hugo had a great time!

[@Martin_Edmondson]

What an awesome video, well done to you all! Your brother did amazingly well for that PB. Marathons are really hard, you should be proud of the progress you have made. Thanks for documenting your journey, its really inspiring to watch. Cheers!

[@TheWu]

Thank you for the support and really glad you enjoyed the content and journey. Valencia was amazing.

[@andywyrobek902]

The collab we never knew we needed until we got it

[@TheWu]

Haha thanks!

[@PoetWithPace]

Well done William! Welcome to the world of overseas BIG CITY races. It’s always bonkers at the start and for some like Berlin & London it is relentless crowded on the roads also. Enjoy the rest & recovery and look forward to seeing what’s next for you.

[@TheWu]

Yea it was similar busy to the start of Amsterdam and Berlin but never had to fully stop and shuffle walk whilst getting crushed whilst jumping fences haha

[@PoetWithPace]

@@TheWu not had the jumping over fences, but Berlin this year and Frankfurt many years ago was bonkers at start area....not to mention the pre toilet chaos LOL

[@craigsmith7765]

Well done Wu. We gave you a shout out just after 30k. You were hiding the pain then! Keep following that dream of a sub 3. The persistent will pay off eventually. Valencia is my A goal race next year after having to medically withdraw from this year's race!

[@TheWu]

Ah sorry to hear you had to withdraw. I hope next year is special for you, it was amazing. 30km I was still ok I knew I was going to have a battle later as I was continuing to push until the wheels came off. 😅 Thanks again 🙏🏽

[@ThomasGroves-so3px]

Great time despite the heat and the cramps well done and keep chipping away ,you never know what is around the corner in other races

[@TheWu]

Planning my next move. Thanks for the comment.

[@samdking]

Loved this Will. Raw and honest. A great capture of a memorable weekend. You'll be back for the sub 3.

[@TheWu]

Thanks my friend, I try my best to show the reality of my situation during these events the best I can. Sometimes it’s not possible as I couldn’t record anything post 32km as I was in a bad state.

[@Stevenc1984]

100% given, no one can ask for more. Conditions looked tough and not being fully ready, you should be proud of a 3:04. Go again in 2025, best of luck! 👍🏻 Congratulations to Humphrey on the PB! 🎉

[@TheWu]

Cheers man. Definitely happy I was able to overcome some tough spots in the last 10km. I knew it would come but really wanted to see how I could fare mentally under the circumstances when it did.

[@BrianTaylor-hj9vq]

Fantastic video, loved all the content from start to finish, very honest and sincere. You might not think you'll cracking sub 3 now but keep going, it will come, you are a great runner. I got sub 3 at 56 years old in London, after 5 attempts so plenty of time for you yet. Good luck for your future marathon attempts and stay strong 💪 🤘 👍

[@TheWu]

Awesome I’ll definitely keep going my friend!

[@bh4560]

3.04 man! Thats an amazing marathon time! Well done mate.

[@TheWu]

Thanks, as long as I stay near 3 I’m in a good place to build on.

[@DeanooKidd]

Well done lads, the heat can be a killer but what an amazing time in those conditions, enjoy the celebrations

[@TheWu]

Yea it was slightly hotter than last years event I was told. Midday this time was reaching 22-23c

[@DeanooKidd]

@@TheWu ohh thats not ideal, I'm Ireland and done Cork Marathon this year in June and it was 26 or 27 degrees which we just arent used to in these parts of the world haha so completely blew up haha, the heat is such a killer

[@DavidDiez-n7g]

That was a bloody good effort. The fact that you kept pushing knowing you didn’t hit those paces in training shows your comitment. Also 3:04 after taking a break it’s a pretty good showing.

[@TheWu]

Thanks, I promised myself I came to Valencia to give it all regardless if I was ready or not to go under 3. I did it but many times nearly threw the towel in to walk a bit out.

[@markg99]

Awesome video and congrats on getting a decent time in that heat 🥵 🔥 👍

[@TheWu]

Thanks man 🫡

[@SamBern]

Oh wow! I'm the guy in the background wearing white shorts and red and yellow hat at 13:46. When you were describing the people falling down I was like "I think I saw that!", then I was like "Wait I'm in the background!". You had a great race! Marathons are really hard, and that last 10k is always a killer.

[@TheWu]

That’s cool I spotted you 😃 how did your race go?

[@neilhulme8426]

Fantastic honest video, you gave it everything that’s all you can do. Be proud of yourself.

[@TheWu]

I appreciate that! Thanks

[@sambassett5]

Great video this Will, both the run and how you've put it together. Honestly think with another good training block, you'll be the other side of 3 hours.

[@TheWu]

Thanks Sam, will catch up on yours. I saw you did well! 👌🏽

[@d4ve3]

Cracking effort well done. Another absolutely awesome race video. Your videos are incredible. Keep up the training and sub-3 will come 👍🏻

[@TheWu]

Ah cheers for the comments. 🫡

[@David-it2nt]

Well done on another great effort Will. Rest now, rebuild and come back better than ever for the next one

[@TheWu]

I’m fired up ! Making plans already.

[@RunThePlanet]

Great job Will, loved the vlog. Didn't think you cramped up much in races unless you were a bit off or ill. Welcome to my world. 3:04 with cramping 😮😮 excellent 👌👌 I must have been 5 rows ahead of you in the pen, then going on the left side bridge. Saw nothing of the chaos, really strange. Congrats to your brothers too, he PB'd 🎉🎉

[@TheWu]

@@RunThePlanet Cheers mate , wish we could have met for a good chat. I hope you are ok about your race and not too down about it. Fortunately the cramp never got to the level where I had to stop like Amsterdam. It was just moments of sharpe bolts to give warning signs. I’m not sure but I think the travel on the Friday followed by only having 1 hour sleep made me feel really tired physically which may have played a part in the muscle resistance to fatigue being in a bit sleep deficit.

[@RunThePlanet]

@TheWu yeah I'm fine about my race, still a good effort, good memories, and I'll get it next time, or the time after that 😄

[@DaraHes]

Love your videos man! You’ll get that sub 3 eventually no doubt! I’m going for a second attempt at sub 3 myself in Malaga next weekend and worried about the heat also.

[@TheWu]

I’m actually signed up for Malaga haha I booked it incase the floods caused Valencia to cancel. Slightly harder course but it could be cooler being 2 weeks after Valencia! Good look bro!

[@ArronPalmer-i4j]

You seem such a genuine bloke, Will. Gutted for you but you knew more than anyone it may have been just out of reach this time. The maturity to take time out over the summer, and the heart you showed in Valencia, suggest that sub-3 is right around the corner though mate. Keep plugging away 💪

[@TheWu]

@@ArronPalmer-i4j Cheers for the kind words. Glad you appreciate the steps I made in the journey and understand my thinking towards this race.

[@AndyCliffMTB]

Great video Will and at 3:04 still a great performance, I’m also a runner who struggles in the heat so I completely understand, it affected my Manchester 10K in ‘23 at 6/7K when it passed 22C, my pace just collapsed. I tracked you and Matt all the way round and saw early on that the app was predicting a 3:00 plus a few seconds😬You captured the event so well and great to see your brothers out there leaving it all on the course. And yes Altrincham, that is definitely a hill…

[@TheWu]

@@AndyCliffMTB Thanks my friend, it was the super long road with no cover when the sun was really beaming with no clouds that got me. When there was shade it wasn’t that bad but it was worse the later it got. By midday it was reading 23c so for the later waves like my brothers it must have been harder!

[@AndyCliffMTB]

@ I’m doing the Prom Classic 10K on 5-Jan, it’ll be about 7/8C - perfect running conditions. And your splits were solid - at 31K, 4:10 and 37K, 4:15 but then the heat started to get you. But really, you should be very proud of yourself, you really did give it your all💪⚙️🚀. One thing I meant to say, I loved the part at the end when you were cheering on the slower runners, you felt for them🥲

[@MrSmokedTurkey]

You smashed it mate, heart of a lion

[@TheWu]

Cheers 👊🏽

[@gabgab11]

Hey Will, love the video and the journey so far. Do you think you’ll get a coach for the next block? It sounds like you’re so close to sub-3, just wondering if the getting a running coach might help iron out some of the psychology/nutrition/other hiccups you’ve had in the past attempts? That said, you’re obviously super talented, just so keen to see you achieve this goal!

[@TheWu]

Hi, thanks for the comment. I won't be getting a coach but I'm talking to some really experienced runners that are helping with tweaking my sessions for the next marathon!

[@teamhassan9686]

Great effort mate, despite the conditions! It got hot quite quickly, didn't it? See you out there next year?

[@TheWu]

🙏🏽 Thanks , not next year unfortunately, maybe in a couple of years.

[@zacharybarnes5234]

That is a brilliant result, gotta look at the positives you already knew where you were sub 3 is so in reach now to run in that heat it’s totally different for many used to the UK weather. You’ve smashed that literally a few seconds in the last 10-12k you’d have had sub 3. Keep going live your channel excited to see the sub 3 go down next marathon

[@TheWu]

Thanks appreciate the support. 👌🏽 I’ll be planning my next move and look to move forward from this.

[@fulbd001]

Brutal. Just need weather and training to align but that’s much easier said than done. 2025 we go again 👏

[@TheWu]

I’ll be back at it again 💯

[@lorrainecowan7288]

Good video i going to do berlin in 2026 if i get in marathon tours its looks amanzing looks warm

[@TheWu]

Oh yes, Berlin can be hot, sometimes its perfect but they do tend to have some heat waves during that time.

[@wittywatty1]

Amazing video! I spoke to you before we boarded the plane in Manchester, really great chatting to you!

[@TheWu]

Ah yes nice chatting .How did you get on???

[@johnnysercombe7912]

great effort bro heart of champion keep at it bro!!

[@TheWu]

Cheers !

[@Ligerpride]

Well done. You did really well.

[@TheWu]

🙏🏽

[@fudbeer1]

Brilliant video mate.As a side note am local to you and use the Pure Gym on the same park as the Firehouse one you use.You may want to check them out defiantly one of their better outlets. Usually plenty of treadmills free and they were all replaced in the last year.Longer hours and cheaper too.Keep up the good work.

[@TheWu]

Thanks for the comment. Oh that’s interesting about Pure Gym. Yes Firehouse is a bit hit and miss there’s literally only 5 treadmills! Fire just put prices up too so I might check pure gym now thanks for the tip!

[@fudbeer1]

@@TheWu No worries glad to be of help.

[@lenniehendrix]

Team Wu All champs!

[@TheWu]

🫡

[@nolangalido]

love it! what camera do you use bro?

[@TheWu]

Thanks, I bought a new DJI Action 5 and used this for the Valencia Trip. For all my older races I used a Go Pro Hero 8 and 10 which I have now sold.

[@edwardaustin6410]

I agree with @itsonandy this was your best video, really captured the whole weekend. I’ve managed to do Seville and Nice this year and I’ve found them a great way to share my passion for running with visiting great cities with some non running friends. I’m hoping I can do Valencia next year and this has whetted my appetite and provided some useful tips. Keep up the videos and I’m sure with a decent training block you’ll crack that sub3. What’s the next marathon?

[@TheWu]

@@edwardaustin6410 Thanks so much. Seville looks good but it sells out so fast 🥲 I have been making plans for my next one but nothing concrete yet. I’m definitely fired up though.

[@edwardaustin6410]

@ I think Seville is relatively easy to get in, it sold out within 6 months and there’s only 12,000 runners. I had a place for 2025 but had to cancel because I qualified and got accepted for Boston. So that’s my next goal.

[@toenail12345]

Warrior, well done!

[@TheWu]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@conradburdekin722]

I definitely think you are more than capable of sub 3 will. I also think you’re a bit like me - quite hard on yourself at times and perhaps prone to seeing the glass half empty when it comes to your race times. But I do believe you’ve got a sub 3 in you. This will be a great rung on the ladder to that goal

[@TheWu]

Thanks, I’m pretty happy with the current progress it was quite a long way back from the summer burn out. To get close to 3 in the warm conditions gives me fuel to start planning the next marathon!

[@jameskillilea1983]

I’m not a warm weather runner either. The only way I could deal with the heat was salt tablets every water station and pouring water on the left wrist and back of the neck to lower the HR. I seen a lot of people being tripped in that orange wave. The first 10k was mental and I was lucky not to be tripped three times myself.

[@TheWu]

Yea someone ended their race in the first water station by rushing in and falling over in the stampede. Looked bad and so early in the race not a great way to ruin the experience!

[@callummcvarnock8085]

Well done and great effort . Can you share the approx cost for hotel and flights ? I have managed to secure a space for next year . Hoping to book my flight as soon as they are out

[@TheWu]

Hi the flight from manc was quite pricey tbh £200 pp approx one way we decided to fly one way to Valencia and then fly back from Alicante which was cheap £50pp We had a little few days break there too. Apartment was a big place 5 bedrooms expensive about 1.5k for 3 nights, we split this as we had a big party. We also had to get a property sorted asap as we had Airbnb places cancel us 3 times!

[@Ligerpride]

Altrincham is definitely a hill in my opinion btw.

[@TheWu]

100%!!!

[@RunningAbroad]

I've run Valencia the last 2 years. 2022, that fence jumping was happening and the person in front of me hesitated and I rolled my ankle. 2023, everyone was doing it to the point I thought they just made it part of the course... But then a few hundred meters later we were forced back to the other side. Good to know they are keeping the Hunger Games zone part of the start!

[@TheWu]

It’s so confusing , I’ve never had to fully stop and walk shuffle whilst getting crushed! Very strange I still don’t know what happened.

[@doing_hard_things]

Amazing to see your brother finish! Congrats to you too man. Is no mean feat to run a sub 3:05 marathon

[@TheWu]

Thanks so much !

[@thomasoneill8369]

fair play lad. It will come

[@TheWu]

🙏🏽

[@Tom-h7r3w]

Would you consider doing marathon pace miles in your long runs?

[@TheWu]

Yea I have done it in the past for sure. Builds with many miles in the long run and build without any. Still run roughly around 3 hours either way. For example Amsterdam I ran 30 seconds over 3 without running any. This build I actually ran some parts around MP as I ran the time roughly I expected which was the pace I had touched a little in my long runs. If we are talking sub 3 pace then no I didn’t do this in any long run as it was too fast for me at my current fitness. So the training plan worked well it got me a very accurate self prediction of 3:03 (1 minute off probs due to heat)

[@solefreak2]

It was bloody hot.. Started suffering from mile 6 and had to slow my pace right down just to keep going. Ended up finishing in 3:37 but was never aiming for a PB

[@TheWu]

Yea and also hotter for the later waves! Well done though. 👌🏽

[@conradburdekin722]

7 hours sleep the night b4 a goal race is something I (sadly) cannot imagine. I rarely get more than 4 or so broken hours. I just get so damn anxious

[@TheWu]

Yep always hard especially when traveling!

[@mattsoutham]

Confused by the expo queues, there was zero queue last year on the Saturday! How strange. It felt really disjointed though, perhaps a different venue?

[@tigibo]

I went on Saturday last year and was queuing for about 45mins. The trick is to go early. I went around 11am on Friday this year and zero queue, but by the time I left it was starting to get busy.

[@TheWu]

Yes my friend went Saturday but I warned him to avoid midday, he then went late afternoon and was zero waiting! So the lesson is go first thing as early as possible or late afternoon/evening!

[@ingagade951]

Well William you must certaintly have more confidence when you run marathons because you dont beleive it is happning the sub 3 hour marathon for you I think you are cablably to run in sub 3 hour. But you tell to your self you are not fit, its too warm and you let us your wievers down , but we believe in you and we suffer with you and we are happy with you. And we believe you when you say its warm weather and thats its hard but if you really can have the trust in yourself and believe it for long enough under a race........You WILL conquer and you will be a hero man you are great and congrates with the amazing result....Inga DK. 🙃

[@TheWu]

Thanks for the comment. I am working on the mental side for sure. Valencia was a good confidence boost to tell myself I’m able to face a really rough period of the marathon and still push as much as I could. I’m back where I need to be.

[@mylesgibbons2377]

Well done, v brave effort and u gave it a right go, I think u need to be a little more positive and really believe u can get that sub 3, that's half d battle straight away

[@TheWu]

Thanks 🙏🏽 I’m feeling good about the race and happy I could get through the tough spots. Feel I’m back on track and already planning my next marathon for that sub 3 push.

[@johncomrie2303]

Did proud for South Yorkshire john live in Thailand sawang Daen din UTM

[@TheWu]

Thanks John!

[@JuliusFawcett]

Love your vid mate. I'm gonna say it Bro, you could lose 5kg and go 5 mins faster, deal with the heat better too

[@TheWu]

5kg is a lot! Haha not sure I could do that without starving myself 😂

[@JuliusFawcett]

@@TheWu yeah, lose weight in the off season

[@stogpon]

Toilets for each pen except for us in the last pen!

[@TheWu]

Next time you will be in the orange wave!

[@tworunningbrooms]

Brilliant Vlog. So, drinking your own urine for the electrolytes. Who's going to be rhe first KZbinr to try that for the clicks 😂

[@TheWu]

Thanks 🫣 🍺

[@RanjithKumar-oj9ec]

Sub 3 will do it brother.....it's happen soon.....

[@TheWu]

💯

[@steevie76]

Was it water or piss? 😂

[@TheWu]

By the end of the marathon I wouldn’t have cared 😂

[@steevie76]

@@TheWuRooting for you and @MidLifeRunner to finally Break 3!

[@emanuelsantos5585]

Hot for people from England 😂😂

[@TheWu]

Yes haha. 😝 We went from snow to sun in a couple of weeks! It was really funny to see Spaniards walking around in coats and trousers and we were in t-shirts and could have even wore shorts if I brought some.

[@benchandler3220]

Don’t give up on your sub 3 goal. You’ll never forgive yourself if you do. You’re so close.

[@TheWu]

💯 🫡

[@MrRennieFrumpkin]

That’s a cracking run considering the conditions etc. Hopefully it gives you a good boost of fitness for the next one ☝️ 🫡👏

[@TheWu]

Yea definitely left this one feeling like I’m on the right track back. 🙏🏽