The ‘Japan Airlines Kenting International Marathon’ started at 5:30 this morning with the gunshot signal from the county magistrate, Chou Chunmi. A total of 1,300 participants from 15 countries took part, competing for round-trip tickets between Taipei and Tokyo sponsored by Japan Airlines. The race route follows Provincial Highway 26 south to Eluanbi and then north along the east coast, offering panoramic views of the Hengchun Peninsula’s mountains and sea. County Magistrate Chou Chunmi said that they continue to attract more foreign visitors post-pandemic and promote new attractions in the south to create new opportunities for tourism.
Chou Chunmi thanked Japan Airlines for sponsoring the Kenting International Marathon again after a 3-year break. This year’s race includes 30 runners from Japan and 5 from the United States, as well as elite runners from Belgium, Canada, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, and other countries. She hopes that through the combined efforts of central and local governments, the aviation industry, and the tourism sector, they can create in-depth travel experiences and new business opportunities in tourism.
Famous Japanese marathon runner Tomo Goto, who came second in the 11-kilometer category last year and was captivated by Kenting’s beauty, said he returned to compete again this year. “The scenery is beautiful, with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. The route is a bit steep, which makes it quite challenging,” he said.
The Travel and Tourism Department stated that Pingtung’s Kenting is known as the ‘Eastern Hawaii.’ The design of the registration and completion gifts for this event is filled with Kenting elements. The commemorative shirts for the participants are based on the blue and green of Kenting’s mountains and sea, reflecting the South Island style. The finisher’s medal features vibrant ribbon colors with a design of a runner breaking through the finish line in gold, highlighting the joy of completion and the varied landscapes from the grasslands and high mountains to the seascapes of Kenting.
Additionally, finishers of the full marathon (42 kilometers) and the half marathon (21 kilometers) will receive practical and attractive tote bags featuring continuous semi-circular graphics of waves crashing against the Eluanbi Lighthouse, adorned with large areas of chessboard trees, sika deer, and eagles, showcasing the richness of Kenting’s ecology and allowing runners to take a piece of the southern charm home.”