“Run in Penghu” Themed Road Run Kicks Off in Penghu: Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu Commits to Building a Distinctive Penghu Sports Tourism Brand
Press Section
2026-01-18
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The Penghu County Government held the “Run in Penghu” themed road run on the 18th, drawing 2,300 participants who ran along the coastline, enjoying the sea breeze while experiencing Penghu’s distinctive slow-paced island lifestyle and sporting charm.
Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu stated that the county government integrates road running events with tourism experiences so that sports become more than physical activity, incorporating diverse values such as health, education, and travel. He expressed hope that Penghu will gradually establish a sports tourism brand unique to the islands and suitable year-round, attracting more visitors to discover and fall in love with Penghu through sports.
Magistrate Chen also thanked the organizing team for thoughtfully planning the event, which skillfully combined themes of marine sustainability, seafood culture, and sports tourism. The event allowed participants not only to enjoy the race but also to gain deeper insight into Penghu’s winter marine culture and island lifestyle, successfully injecting new momentum into the county’s winter tourism.
Chen noted that Penghu is not only known for its scenic beauty but is also a county well suited for sports. In recent years, the county government has actively sought to host national and international sporting events, including the Penghu Winter Basketball League (January 19–23), the IRONMAN International Triathlon on April 12, the Gaillardia Cup National Baseball Championship in August, and Penghu Regatta. The long-established Penghu Bay Open Water Swim will also partner this year with the international open-water swimming brand OCEANMAN, marking its official debut on the global stage. The county government will continue integrating sports with tourism and cultural resources to establish a signature sports tourism identity unique to Penghu.
“Run in Penghu” marks Penghu County’s first major sporting event of 2026. In support of sports tourism policies, the Education Department combined the road run with seafood education and marine culture for the first time. All finishers received a “Penghu Seafood” certified grouper and a grouper dish, and registration filled quickly after the event was announced. Following instructions from the magistrate, organizers expanded participation quotas by adding 300 spots for the 11K Challenge Group, 100 groups for the 5K Family Division, and 100 spots for the 5K Leisure Group, allowing more people to take part.
The event invited popular Korean cheerleader An Ji-hyun and Mai Shiranui from the classic SNK fighting game IP The King of Fighters as event ambassadors. They led runners from the County Government Plaza along city roads toward the Penghu Recreation Area. With a family division included, the route featured many heartwarming scenes of parents carrying children, pushing strollers, or walking hand in hand with their families.
Multiple local-themed refreshment stations were set up along the course, offering Penghu specialties such as brown sugar cake, Fong Ru tea, and cactus ice, allowing runners to recharge while enjoying authentic island flavors. At the finish line, organizers also arranged a Penghu seafood market and cultural-creative booths, bringing together sports, tourism, cuisine, and culture to create a memorable experience for all participants.
