By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
Now in its sixth year and drawing athletes from home and abroad each year, the 2013 Kinmen Marathon is scheduled to kick off on January 20, 2013. This year’s event will feature 500 slots for the full marathon, 800 for the half marathon, 400 for the 11.2 km road run, totaling 1,700 participants. The course will start and end at National Quemoy University, passing through Cihu Road, Qiongan Road, and three sections of Taihu Road. Runners will be able to dash along Kinmen’s tree-lined boulevards, pass by elegant and beautiful Minnan villages, and admire classic traditional historical sites and folk charm. Online registration opens at 9:00 AM tomorrow (Dec 5). Entry fees are NT$700 for the full marathon, NT$500 for the half marathon, and NT$300 for the 11.2 km run.
The annual Kinmen Marathon is set to open registration tomorrow (Dec 5). (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
For awards, the top 5 male and top 3 female finishers in the domestic full marathon, as well as the top 3 male and female finishers in the half marathon, will receive subsidies for their entry fees and round-trip economy class airfare between Taiwan and Kinmen. The overall champions who break the men’s record of 2:10:24 or the women’s record of 2:27:36 will each be awarded NT$100,000. Those who break the Kinmen Marathon course records will receive an additional NT$10,000 for the full marathon and NT$5,000 for the half marathon. Domestic athletes who surpass the current national marathon records will also be awarded an additional NT$100,000 each.
Besides competitive categories, the popular 5 km Health & Leisure Run—well received by participants—will maintain its tradition, with bibs and souvenir T-shirts available for collection from 6:00 to 6:45 AM on the day of the event at the National Quemoy University venue, while supplies last. Additionally, participants of any category can enjoy hot, traditional Kinmen-style congee and vermicelli soup upon presenting their race bibs.
This year’s course starts and ends at National Quemoy University, running through Section 2 of Huandao West Road, Minquan Road, Guangqian Road, Cihu Road, Ninghu Road, Dinglin Road, Qiongan Road, and turning back at the Qionglin Wuoaiwucun Archway. The marathon route will circle the entire island, allowing athletes from afar to take in the full beauty of Kinmen.
Road traffic control will be in place from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the day of the race on major roads including Huandao West Road, Minquan Road, Guangqian Road, Cihu Road, Ninghu Road, Dinglin Road, Qiongan Road, Huandao North Road, Gaoyang Road, Huandao East Road, Sanduo Road, Taihu Road, Boyu Road, Linhu Road, Huandao North Road, Dongkeng, and University Road. Motorists and riders are advised to avoid the controlled zones on the event day. Registration website: www.sportsnet.org.tw.
● Read more: Wedding Photo Shoot Tour in Kinmen – Subsidy Up to NT$23,760
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