Run across the sea and hop between islands on foot！ The first “Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon” kicks off in November

▲The first Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon will take place in November, with the route covering several popular attractions in Penghu. (Photo / fromthe Facebook page of the 2017 Kinmen Island (Penghu) Cross-Sea Marathon)

By reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Comprehensive report

To extend the peak tourism season in Penghu, the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration will host the “2017 Kinmen Island (Penghu) Cross-Sea Marathon” during the autumn and winter. This marathon is the first in Taiwan to feature an AB-point, non-loop course on an outlying island. It will start on November 19 at the Siyuan Visitor Center on Siyu Island in Penghu, and registration is now open.

The route of this “Kinmen Island (Penghu) Cross-Sea Marathon” has been specially and carefully planned. It circles around Grandma’s Penghu Bay and includes coastal routes in Siyu Township such as the Fishing Village Lighthouse, Niuxin Mountain, the Great Basalt Leaf, the Two Ancient Hakka Villages, the Penghu Cross-Sea Bridge, and passes through Zhongtun Village in Baisha Township and Huxi Township before reaching Guanyinting in Magong City, forming a resort-running track. This allows runners from home and abroad to island-hop and cross the sea on foot, taking on this uniquely beautiful and classic cross-sea marathon course on an outlying island. The event also thoughtfully provides shuttle buses for participants, so runners don’t need to worry about the different start and finish points.

The first Kinmen Island (Penghu) Cross-Sea Marathon features three competition categories: full marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21 km), and mini marathon (5 km), with a total participant limit of 3,000 people. Online registration begins on August 8 and ends on September 30. Groups of 30 or more can register together and will be provided with one free group rest tent. For event details and registration methods, please refer to the “2017 Kinmen Island (Penghu) Cross-Sea Marathon” event registration websitewww.eventpal.com.tw/ph csm.htmlandthe FB fan page.