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Pingtung Kenting Japan Airlines International Marathon opens registration for winter race

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The 2026 Pingtung Kenting Japan Airlines International Marathon will take place on November 15 in Kenting, Taiwan.
  • Registration for the event, which includes full marathon, half marathon, 12km, and 4km categories, is now open.
  • The marathon aims to showcase Kenting's scenic beauty and tourism appeal, with participants eligible for prizes including Japan Airlines mileage.

Runners are gearing up for the highly anticipated "2026 Pingtung Kenting Japan Airlines International Marathon," set to ignite the southern tip of Taiwan on November 15. The Pingtung County Government's Department of Tourism and Transportation announced that registration for this premier winter event, which blends aviation themes with the stunning landscapes of Kenting, has officially begun. The organizers are encouraging early registration, as spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year's marathon is designed to embody the spirit of "flight" through running, creating a distinct image of "Taking off from Pingtung, Running to Kenting." The event emphasizes its unique position as Taiwan's southernmost racecourse, aiming to fulfill the vision of "From Kenting to the World, Running to Kenting from the World." Organizers hope to leverage the marathon to highlight Pingtung's tourism charm to an international audience.

The marathon features four categories: a full marathon, a half marathon, a 12km challenge, and a 4km experience run. To reward participants, the event offers "aviation-class" prizes, including 30 opportunities to win 20,000 Japan Airlines Mileage Bank (JMB) miles each, among other incentives. Furthermore, the marathon is deepening its local connection by introducing a "Sea and Deer Package," allowing runners to experience two of Pingtung's popular attractions. The county government is also collaborating with hotels to provide a more convenient and welcoming travel experience for participants, fostering a spirit of local prosperity through the event.

Last year, the marathon attracted approximately 3,200 participants. This year, organizers anticipate around 4,000 runners, with an estimated total of over 10,000 visitors, including accompanying family and friends, and those participating in surrounding activities. This influx is projected to generate at least NT$50 million in tourism revenue for the region. The Pingtung County Government encourages runners to seize this opportunity to register and experience the warmth of Taiwan's southernmost racecourse this winter, while also having a chance to win attractive prizes.

Kenting Nikko Marathon runs from the seaside to the mountains, and from the mountains to the great plains, connecting important national park scenic spots. You can enjoy the scenery while running, along with delicious food.

โ€” Huang Guo-weiHuang Guo-wei, Director of the Department of Tourism and Transportation, described the marathon's scenic route and offerings.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.