The Penghu National Scenic Area Headquarters of the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications hosted the 2024 Gaillardia Islands Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 6 a.m. at the Xiyu Western Fort Visitor Center Plaza. This event, aimed at shaping Penghu’s image as a premier destination for sports tourism and enhancing its autumn and winter appeal, brought together 4,151 runners—the highest number of participants in the marathon’s history. The participants included nearly 150 international runners hailing from 16 countries, 3,167 runners from Taiwan’s main island, and 839 local runners from Penghu. With the theme “Run with the Wind, Break Through Limits,” the marathon kicked off with great enthusiasm, inspiring runners to challenge their personal bests.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Director-General Hung Chih-kuang of the Penghu National Scenic Area Headquarters and featured prominent guests, including Legislator Lee Kuen-cheng, Penghu County Council Speaker Chen Yu-jen, Councilor Hsu Yue-li, Penghu County Government Secretary-General Tsai Chi-hsien, and Xiyu Township Chief Lee Tien-chin, who jointly fired the starting pistol to signal the beginning of the race. The 2024 Gaillardia Islands Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon gathered an impressive lineup of distinguished guests and participants. It showcased Taiwan’s only “cross-sea + island-hopping” vacation-style marathon, featuring stunning azure coastal routes, local specialty food, cultural highlights, and local music. This event invited participants from across the country to delve into Penghu’s unique landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage.

The founder of the Gaillardia Islands Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon, Director-General Chou Yung-hui of the Tourism Administration, highlighted that this is Taiwan’s only marathon combining a “cross-sea + island-hopping” vacation experience. Now in its seventh edition, the marathon offers a unique “Point A to Point B” non-loop route, allowing runners to take in the most scenic views of Penghu without retracing their steps. Director-General Chou emphasized the goal of enabling participants to explore Penghu’s beauty through their footsteps while enjoying its culinary treasures, supporting local industries, and engaging with the vibrant community cheering squads. By integrating Penghu’s local tourism resources, the marathon seeks to inspire innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship in the region’s tourism industry.
Looking ahead, the vision is to gradually elevate the Gaillardia Islands Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon to international standards, attracting more international runners to experience the enchanting charm and diverse beauty of Penghu. This year’s event also honored nearly 30 participants who have competed for seven consecutive years with “Lucky 7” awards, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support over the years.

This year, in addition to meticulous planning for the race itself, a range of thoughtful services and exciting activities were organized. To promote the concept of sustainability and environmental protection, participants were gifted exclusive reusable eco-friendly cups designed specifically for the event. As part of the finisher’s rewards, a specially designed windbreaker, embodying the essence of Penghu, was created. Perfect for running in Penghu’s strong northeastern monsoon winds, it lets runners showcase their unique style while staying protected. Thanks to the title sponsorship by Sunday Tours, sustainable aromatic diffuser medals were crafted as part of the finisher’s rewards. In a collaboration between the Penghu National Scenic Area Headquarters, Coraal, Echo Taller from Taipei University of Technology, and the Lotos Team, the medals were innovatively made using discarded oyster shells from Penghu, a first of its kind. Additionally, distinctive trophies were designed, blending sustainability with a celebration of local culture to further align the event with environmental and community values. In addition, Sunday Tours generously increased the prize pool for the event. The top three male and female finishers in the full marathon received bonus cash prizes: NT$30,000 for first place, NT$20,000 for second place, and NT$10,000 for third place. Furthermore, any runner breaking the event’s full marathon record was awarded an additional NT$100,000. Full and half marathon finishers who registered at the Sunday Tours booth at Guanyinting were rewarded with travel vouchers worth NT$10,000 for full marathon finishers and NT$6,000 for half marathon finishers. Additionally, on race day, each participant received a piece of Hei Niu (Candy Girl) Brown Sugar Cake, known for its delightfully soft, spongy texture and flavor, offering runners an immediate taste of Penghu’s local specialty.

Along the course, runners were treated to the specially curated “Penghu Creative Culinary Aid Stations,” featuring over 80 local specialty dishes from 10 stations tailored to delight their palates. Highlights included lobster, crab, giant grouper, squid balls, fried silver anchovies, cactus juice, oyster vermicelli, and more, offering a comprehensive taste of Penghu’s culinary delights. At the Chima Aid Station in Xiyu, all the refreshments were provided by women from the local community, ensuring the most authentic Penghu flavors and strengthening the connection between the event and the local community. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, enthusiastic local cheering squads lined the course, delivering constant encouragement to energize the runners. Eight EMT mobile patrol units were also stationed along the route, ensuring a safe marathon experience where runners could indulge, feel inspired, and tackle the Gaillardia Islands Penghu Marathon with confidence.

This year, the 2024 Gaillardia Islands Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon partnered with Japan’s Okinawa Marathon, another island-based race, to promote each other and encourage greater interaction among marathon enthusiasts from Taiwan, Japan, and beyond. To celebrate this new partnership, the event organizers generously offered five entries to the 2025 Okinawa Marathon, to be awarded through a post-race lottery. This exciting collaboration allows running enthusiasts to register for one race and potentially gain the opportunity to participate in a second, delivering exceptional value.

Following the marathon, the Chill Carnival kept the excitement alive with performances by Taiwanese bands, filling the air with a lively and infectious energy. For those who couldn’t get enough of the on-course treats, the Penghu Food Fair offered a second chance to indulge in local delicacies, ensuring no runner missed out on Penghu’s rich flavors. The event allowed international and domestic running enthusiasts to savor Penghu’s authentic local cuisine and experience the heartfelt hospitality of Penghu, truly embodying the vision of Penghu as a “Sports Island.”
Many participants not only pushed their speed limits but also demonstrated unwavering perseverance. The lively fair at the finish line provided a perfect closing note to the event, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating next year’s marathon!