Early in the morning, roads amid mountains, along coastlines and in urban areas are filled with runners heading toward a finish line, urged on by cheerleaders. A mara­thon is not just a race, but also a journey that ties a city or region together.

Five hundred races a year

When did the enthusiasm for running in Taiwan begin? Sunny Chen, secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Road Running Association (CTRRA), recalls that in the 1990s, the outstanding female track-and-field athlete Chi Cheng, who had later become a sports administrator and legislator, was inspired by marathons’ ability to spark a fondness for sports among citizens while driving urban tourism, and she encouraged like-minded people to form the CTRRA to promote this sport in Taiwan.

In 2002 the Sports Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan (today the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education) promoted a program to increase the number of people involved in sports, and road running activities took off from there, recounts Sunny Chen.

A great choice for road-racing tourism

Marathon courses often link together outstanding local scenic sites and in recent years have been a popular form of tourism around the globe. Runners dream of earning the Six Star Medal for finishing all six of the World Marathon Majors. Running challenges people and helps them make new friends, and runners can also enjoy local food and beverages and the support of ōendan-style cheerleading teams. Road racing in Taiwan provides all four sensations. The well-known Japanese illustrator ­Naoko Takagi described her experience running the Taipei Marathon: “Taiwan’s cheerleading teams are adorable!”

Taiwan is located in the western Pacific Ocean, and has a subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Its diverse topography includes high mountains, hills, plains, basins, offshore islands, a rift valley, and various types of coastline. Its stunning scenery and rich ecology make it well worth a visit.

Taiwan’s marathons are mainly concentrated in the six months from September to March, but in fact there are races throughout the year. Taiwan has even helped Palau and the Vatican to organize international competitions.

Sunny Chen estimates that before the Covid-19 pandemic as many as 500–600 running events were held in Taiwan each year, and in 2023, after the lifting of Covid restrictions, there are still more than 400.

Race themes are diverse and lively. Besides city marathons and small-town marathons, there are others based on agricultural niche products, as well ones high in the mountains, for women only, or built around food and fun.

Taiwan is made up of islands, and accordingly there are various island-hopping races. Taiwan also has abundant geothermal resources, so there are runs near famous hot springs. Others feature the welcoming ambience of indigenous communities.

Or one can enter the Taipei 101 Run Up, a race up the Taipei 101 building, taking on 91 floors and 2,046 stairs in a vertical ascent of 390 meters with a temperature differential of 3°C. There is also the Taroko Gorge Marathon, run amid world-class scenery.

In addition, there are trail marathons with runners surrounded by nature, including the Taiwania Ultra Trail, which enters the magnificent forest on Mt. Qilan, and the Cinsbu Ultra Marathon, which passes through indigenous communities in Jianshi Township as well as the groves of giant trees near Cinsbu. Racing up and down steep slopes at 800–1600 meters above sea level is a challenge for the mind as well as the body.

Marathon course certification

Sunny Chen says that in recent years Taiwan’s road races have become more refined, and many have met the qualifications for registration as international competitions. For example, New Taipei City’s Wan Jin Shi Mara­thon has been awarded the Road Race Gold Label by World Athletics (WA), and the Taipei Marathon received the WA Elite Label.

Races whose courses have been certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) include the Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon, the Taishin Women Run, the Kaohsiung Fubon Marathon, the Sun Moon Lake Marathon, the Zeng­wen Reservoir Marathon, the Eva Air Marathon, and more.

Another reason to come to Taiwan to run is that registration fees for marathons here are substantially lower than for the six World Marathon Majors.

Taiwanese races also offer meticulously designed finisher medals, which are much coveted by runners. There are also free broom wagons and post-race towels, along with aid-station products, finisher gifts, and finisher meals with special local characteristics.

Road races frequently have more than 10,000 par­ti­ci­pants, so road racing in Taiwan also emphasizes environ­mental sustainability, with registration and finisher certification all done electronically. Several Taiwan marathons have undergone carbon footprint examinations by international organizations to ensure they are environ­mentally friendly.

So are you inspired to try road running tourism? Let Taiwan Panorama guide you through distance running in Taiwan.

The Wan Jin Shi Marathon

The New Taipei City Government first held the Wan Jin Shi Marathon in 2003, and in 2023 it was awarded a WA Gold Label. It is now held annually on the third Sunday in March, with only 30–50% of registrants gaining a place through the race lottery.

The course incorporates tourism resources from Taiwan’s North Coast and is known for its cultural, geological, and coastal scenery. The 10K route passes through Yehliu Geopark, whose famous Queen’s Head rock is the marathon’s logo.

The post-race food includes the well-known local zongzi (meat-filled rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves). After the race people can enjoy seafood in Wanli; go to Jinshan to soak in hot springs, stroll the old streets, or visit the Ju Ming Museum; or check out the Laomei Green Reef in Shimen.

The Taipei Marathon

The Taipei Marathon was first held in 1986, making it Taiwan’s oldest urban marathon. In 2021 it won WA Elite Label certification. It includes full and half marathons, and only about 50% of registrants are selected in the race lottery.

Huang Hung-chia, a subdivision chief in the Taipei City Department of Sports, says that normally the city’s streets are jammed with vehicles, but they are cleared for the race, with traffic rerouted. Traffic management is the biggest challenge, but runners enjoy a rare experience of Taipei calm.

The Taipei Marathon route follows the city’s most beautiful tree-lined avenues—Ren’ai Road and Zhongshan North Road—and passes by 24 landmarks including the Presidential Office Building and four historic city gates. The full marathon finishes at the Taipei Municipal Stadium. Many overseas travel agencies organize groups to come to Taipei for a combination of running and tourism.

The Kaohsiung Fubon Marathon

The Kaohsiung Fubon Marathon was first held in 2010, and is the highest-profile marathon in Southern Taiwan. It includes full and half marathons as well as a relaxing 3.5K run. Half the route of the full marathon follows the Love River Greenway, a symbol of the city, while a major highlight is that the race passes through the naval base at Zuoying, which is normally closed to the public.

Scenic spots along the route include the plaza of the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, the railroad greenway, the Kaohsiung Music Center, and Central Park, while the full marathon finishes at the Kaohsiung National Stadium, designed by world-renowned architect Toyo Ito.

After the race people can stroll through this harbor city, admire the sunset at Xiziwan, enjoy seafood in Qijin District, visit the Pier-2 Art Center, or shop at the Dream Mall. The Lotus Pond Scenic Area with its rich traditional religious ambience and the Ruifeng Night Market are other destinations that are popular with visitors and locals alike.

The Kinmen Marathon

At low tide Kinmen is only 1,800 meters from Xiamen in China, and in the past it was a key military base. The Kinmen Marathon, first held in 2008, has won AIMS certification. Historic combat sites and Kinmen souvenir gaoliang liquor are favorites of runners, and in 2022 the course was changed to include the newly opened Kinmen Bridge, which links Kinmen Island with Little Kinmen.

The event is divided into full and half marathons as well as a 10.3K road run and a 4K recreational run. The online registration system fills up immediately upon ­going live.

Kinmen County deputy mayor Li Wen Liang says that the Kinmen Marathon course includes lovely natural scenery and sites of military and historic interest. A military light tactical vehicle leads the way, while a medium tactical vehicle serves as broom wagon, and frogmen from the Kinmen Defense Command compete in the half marathon. The event leaves a deep impression on runners.

After the race one can buy local specialty products like gaoliang sorghum liquor or gongtang peanut candy, tour the island to admire the historic architecture, or just travel around by bicycle according to one’s own itinerary.

The Zengwen Reservoir Marathon

The Zengwen Reservoir Marathon, a professional-­level marathon now coming up to its 40th running, is the oldest in Taiwan. Zengwen is Taiwan’s largest reservoir by capacity, and the route, which has an altitude differential of 200 meters, offers mountain and lake scenery. After the race people can take boat tours on the reservoir and admire the eagles or circle the reservoir by bike.

An ancient proverb says: “Reading 10,000 books is not as good as walking 10,000 miles.” Running helps you feel the world beneath your feet. We invite you to run in Taiwan to experience our island’s beauty and warmth.

For more pictures, please click 《Running Through Taiwan: The Joy and Beauty of Marathons》