The 4 finest organized marathons in Taipei Metropolis and New Taipei Metropolis are the Taipei Marathon, Customary Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon, Taipei Freeway Marathon, and Wan Jin Shi Marathon. They’re all AIMS-certified (Affiliation of Worldwide Marathons and Distance Races). The Taipei Marathon and Wan Jin Shi Marathon have additionally achieved the Gold Label standing issued by the IAAF (Worldwide Affiliation of Athletics Federations).
Under are introductions to the 4 races, their professionals and cons, and suggestions solely an skilled native runner can present.
Taipei Marathon
- IAAF Gold Label
- Mid-December (third weekend of the month)
- Registration opens across the center of the 12 months
- Occasion web site
That is Taiwan’s oldest and largest marathon, with about 25,000-30,000 members throughout the marathon, half-marathon, 10 km, and three km enjoyable run classes. The marathon has a lottery with 15,000 spots, a couple of 30-35% likelihood. It does have a time-based qualification system that permits sooner runners to bypass the lottery: 3 hours and half-hour for males and 4 hours and half-hour for girls (the instances might change from 12 months to 12 months).
Professionals:
- Effectively organized with strictly enforced beginning pens based mostly on current private bests.
- Appropriate temperatures within the low-to-mid teen levels Celsius.
- The A-to-B course takes you throughout Taipei Metropolis, passing landmarks corresponding to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Corridor, Presidential Palace, Yuanshan Grand Lodge, Nationwide Revolutionary Martyrs Shrine, riverside working paths, Taipei Area, and so forth.
Cons:
- There’s all the time an opportunity of rain right here in Taipei, and the course might be very windy in spots, particularly round 20-30 km.
- It’s not a quick course, with three brief however pretty steep climbs.
- It’s the largest marathon, that means it’s going to be crowded. Arriving not less than 90 minutes early on race day is advisable for guests and first-time marathon runners.
Customary Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon
- AIMS-certified
- Mid-January
- Registration usually opens round August
- Occasion web site
The A-to-B course is arguably the quickest out of the 4 picks. The race can be scheduled for the time of 12 months most definitely to ship the perfect racing temperatures. The marathon and half-marathon classes appeal to about 4,500 and eight,000-5,000 runners, respectively.
Professionals
- The beginning is in entrance of the Presidential Palace, a preferred vacationer landmark.
- It’s largely flat with just a few very brief, punchy climbs. It’s not a foul possibility you probably have PB ambition.
- It’s a medium-sized occasion, so the beginning and end venues are comparatively simple to navigate.
Cons
- Time-based beginning pens are usually not strictly enforced. There might be volunteers holding time aim indicators, however no precise limitations separating runners aiming for various instances. Fortuitously, most members are sincere with their skills and customarily line up on the appropriate pens.
- A big portion of the course is alongside the riverside parks, which might be windy.
Taipei Freeway Marathon
- AIMS-certified
- Early-March
- Registration usually begins within the Fall of the earlier 12 months.
- Occasion web site
You’ll be working forwards and backwards alongside Taipei’s Zhongshan Freeway. The race affords the marathon, half-marathon, 10 km, and three km distances. The course isn’t flat, with longer uphills and downhills. The overall variety of members is often below 10,000 runners, with the bulk working the half.
Professionals:
- The course is simple, and the floor is well-paved.
- A really distinctive expertise. Not every single day do you get to run on a very closed freeway.
Cons:
- The bag drop space is situated within the riverside park. Many first-timers get confused and assume it’s really on the freeway.
- It isn’t a quick course because of the climbs and Spring season temperature, which might rise to twenty+ levels Celsius in the course of the race.
Wan Jin Shi Marathon
- IAAF Gold Label
- Mid-March
- Registration usually begins within the Fall of the earlier 12 months.
- Occasion web site
The marathon course stretches throughout three coastal New Taipei Metropolis districts – Wanli, Jinshan, and Shimales – and, henace, the identify of the race. It’s the prettiest of the 4 suggestions and but additionally essentially the most difficult.
About 6,000 and 5,000 runners enter the marathon and half-marathon distances, respectively. Should you’re staying in Taipei Metropolis, this marathon may not be essentially the most handy to get to, however the scenic route is effectively price it. I strongly suggest reserving lodging within the Wanli District for the night time earlier than the race.
Professionals:
- It’s a superb alternative to run and take a look at Taiwan’s lovely Northeastern coast.
Cons:
- It’s not a quick course. The mixture of elevation and better early-Spring temperatures make the course very difficult.
Taipei Metropolis and Taiwan as an entire provide many nice races each weekend. Right here’s a full race calendar for those who’re eager to hitch a race throughout your go to.
For extra data and tips about working in Taipei Metropolis and New Taipei Metropolis, take a look at these articles:
The three Finest Mountain Street Marathons in Taipei
Taipei Working Climate Defined