Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon 2026

Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, 1 November across Taiwan's Penghu archipelago. Organised by the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration, the event is promoted as Taiwan's distinctive cross-sea and island-hopping destination race. Rather than sending runners around repeated city loops, the longer courses use a point-to-point format that links Penghu's coastal roads, settlements and landmark bridges.

The 42.195K marathon starts at Xiyu Xitai Visitor Center at 06:30 and has a seven-hour limit. Its route crosses Xiyu, passes the Yuwengdao Lighthouse area, Xiyu forts, Daguoye Basalt and Erkan Historic Village, then continues across Penghu Great Bridge and through Baisha and the main Penghu island before finishing at Guanyin Pavilion in Magong. The 21K starts from the same Xiyu venue at 06:40, has a 4.5-hour limit and finishes at the Tongliang Great Banyan area. The 11K starts at Guanyin Pavilion at 07:30 with a 2.5-hour limit, while the 5K starts there at 07:35 with a 1.5-hour limit.

The setting is scenic but exposed. Penghu's seasonal northeast monsoon can add a real wind challenge on coastal and bridge sections. The race also leans heavily into local culture, with organisers publishing aid-station foods including lobster, squid balls, small squid, anchovies, seafood congee, brown-sugar cake, winter-melon cake and cactus juice. The event encourages lower-waste participation with reusable cups rather than treating the race as a conventional city road event.

General entry was TWD 1,500 for the marathon, TWD 1,300 for 21K, TWD 1,100 for 11K and TWD 800 for 5K, with registration closing at noon on 11 August or earlier if a category filled. A paid pre-race shuttle for marathon and half-marathon runners leaves Penghu County Government Plaza between 03:30 and 05:00 for Xiyu Xitai Visitor Center. Finishers receive a medal and electronic certificate; marathon and half-marathon finishers also receive the published three-way backpack. The 2026 medal, created with artist Hung Yi, draws on Penghu's Lantern Festival turtle-prayer tradition.