TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei's Department of Sports (台北市體育局) announced on Thursday (Dec. 12) that the 2024 Taipei Marathon will commence on Sunday. The event will have a record 28,000 participants, including the highest number of international runners.
The event, now recognized as a World Athletics Gold Label race for the first time, has attracted a surge of interest. The full marathon had a mere 30% acceptance rate, while the half marathon filled up on the first registration day, setting a new record.
The department noted that this year's event will have the highest number of international participants, with 4,380 runners from Japan, China, and Kenya. Notable domestic athletes include 2023 Taipei Marathon champions Chiang Chieh-wen (蔣介文) and Chen I-ning (陳逸寧), 2023 half-marathon champion Chou Ting-yin (周庭印), and 2022 half-marathon champion Tsao Chun-yu (曹純玉).
Energy gels and pineapple cakes will be available at aid stations for the first time. Given the cold weather, Sports Director Wang Hung-shiang (王泓翔) advised all participants to warm up properly and stay warm. He stressed that safety is the top priority, urging participants to stop and rest if they feel unwell.
