The 2024 Taichung International Marathon began today at the Blossom Pavilion in Houli Forest Park, attracting over 5,000 participants from 26 countries. The event provided an opportunity for runners to push their limits while experiencing the beauty of Taichung. Yu Chih-hsiang, Acting Director of Taichung’s Sports Bureau, represented Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen to encourage the runners on-site and thanked the organizers: Taichung City Prosperous Houludun Promotion Association, Taichung City Shengang District Sports Association, and Taichung City Fengyuan District Sports Association. These groups have long been dedicated to promoting sports for all, carefully designing a route that offers stunning views of both mountains and water, promoting the local natural and cultural beauty on an international stage, and seamlessly combining sports with tourism.

Acting Director Yu remarked that Taichung’s mild climate and stunning mountain and sea vistas make it a perfect venue for promoting road running events. These events focus on integrating sports with tourism, history, pop culture, and more, aiming to create road running events that reflect both the Taichung brand for citizens. Examples include the family-friendly IP-themed fun runs, the Taichung City Half Marathon which offers a tour of the city’s streets, the Lishan Run that offers a sky-high experience, the Qingshui Marathon that travels through the coastal regions, the Gaomei Wetland Marathon, and the Dajia Mazu BOBI Run. Each of these events highlights Taichung's distinctive natural and cultural heritage while showcasing the vitality of different groups of runners.

The event organizers noted that the Taichung International Marathon, formerly the Taichung World Floral Exposition International Marathon – The Sound of Blooming in 2018 and 2019, has an AIMS-certified race course that meets international standards and provides ample refreshments, attracting runners from countries such as the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, helping to promote Taichung’s stunning landscapes to the world. This year, the event offers four categories: 42K, 21K, 13K, and 6K. Runners in the full and half marathons can enjoy the scenery of Daan Creek Valley, Dongfeng Bikeway, and Houfeng Bikeway at their own pace. The event allows runners to comfortably sweat through the simple mountain town views and natural green corridors, enjoying the charm of the water and flower city.

The Sports Bureau highlighted that since Mayor Lu's tenure began, Taichung has focused on its “Cool Sports” initiative to establish itself as a “Cool City.” A survey by the Ministry of Education's Sports Administration showed that Taichung hosts a higher-than-average number of sports events, ranking first among Taiwan’s six municipalities. Over 60 running and walking events have already been held this year, encouraging widespread public participation. These events align with Taichung's efforts to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDG 5 (Gender Equality), by promoting inclusivity across all ages and genders in running events. Additionally, in alignment with SDG 13 (Climate Action), the city leverages these events to promote low-carbon concepts, enhance public health awareness, and encourage citizens to adopt the “7333” regular exercise routine (at least three times a week, for 30 minutes each time, with a heart rate reaching 130 beats per minute).

Today's event was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Chiang Chi-chen, Legislator Yang Chiung-ying, City Council members Chen Ching-lung and Yang Ta-hung, Acting Director of the Taichung City Government’s Sports Bureau Yu Chih-hsiang, Director of the Transportation Bureau Yeh Chao-fu, Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau Chen Hung-i, Deputy Director of the Tourism and Travel Bureau Chen Yu-cheng, Houli District Chief Lai Tung-yi, Shengang District Chief Liang I-ming, Principal Lai Hsi-tang of Feng Yuan Commercial High School, and Director Fang Chiang-jen of the Taichung A-Type Joint Maintenance Plant.