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.
Frogmen from the local defense command regularly take part in the Kinmen Marathon.
The Kinmen Marathon is unique in offering historic battlefield scenery, making it a special race for runners.