2026 Taipei Marathon - Dec 20

2026 Taipei Marathon - Dec 20 Countdown

-- DAYS
-- HRS
-- MIN
-- SEC

Want personality modes & weather integration? Try the full countdown experience

Race Information

Race2026 Taipei Marathon - Dec 20
CityTaipei
Date2026-12-20 at 06:30
Field Size~9,000 runners
Time Limit5 hours 30 min
TimezoneAsia/Taipei
Official SiteChinese Taipei Road Running Association
RegistrationRegister · 2200 TWD

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature16°C / 61°F
Humidity70%
Wind10 km/h
Rain Chance20%
Typical ConditionsCool, humid winter morning, often overcast with a chance of light rain

What to Prepare: A 6:30 a.m. start in late December usually means low-to-mid teens Celsius with high humidity - good racing weather, but the damp air slows evaporative cooling, so do not over-layer. A singlet plus arm sleeves you can peel off works well. December is Taipei's driest month, yet drizzle is still possible, so a disposable poncho at the start line is smart. The long riverside stretches are exposed, so cap the chill at the start rather than the finish.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 10 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course TypeLoop
Elevation Gain40m
TerrainRoad
ProfileStarts at Taipei City Hall Plaza beneath Taipei 101, heads west through the central Renai and Zhongzheng districts, then runs long out-and-back stretches along the Keelung River riverside parks before finishing inside Taipei Municipal Stadium. Almost entirely flat - the riverside paths and city boulevards keep elevation change minimal, making this one of Asia's faster big-city courses.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Training in Taipei

Arriving early? Explore daily running routes and local tips.

Prepare for 2026 Taipei Marathon - Dec 20

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

View all running tools

Featured In

Best Budget Marathons Under $100 Entry Fee (2026) Best Marathons for Food & Culinary Experiences in 2026 Best Winter Marathons 2026-2027

Taipei Marathon Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Taipei Marathon?

The 2026 Taipei Marathon is on Sunday, December 20, 2026, with the marathon gun time at 6:30 a.m. The date is officially confirmed by the Taipei City Government, which organizes the race. The marathon and half marathon together draw more than 28,000 runners, making it Taiwan's largest road-running festival. Use the countdown on this page to time your final taper.

Is Taipei Marathon entry by lottery?

Yes. Demand for the full marathon exceeds the cap of roughly 9,000 places, so general entry is decided by lottery (ballot) rather than first-come registration. In recent years the marathon registration window opened in mid-July with the draw result published within days; the half marathon used a separate, later window. Always confirm exact dates on the official site before you book travel - your race place is not guaranteed until you clear the draw and pay.

How much does the Taipei Marathon cost?

The full marathon entry fee is NT$2,200 (TWD), with the half marathon priced lower. That is inexpensive by World Marathon Majors standards. Note the fee is only payable if you clear the lottery - you are not charged when you enter the ballot, only after you are drawn and must confirm your place within the payment window.

Can foreign runners enter the Taipei Marathon?

Yes. International runners register on the official Taipei Marathon website and enter the same lottery as local runners, using a passport as identification rather than a Taiwan ID card. There is no separate foreign quota, so your odds are the same as everyone else's. Plan for visa-entry requirements to Taiwan separately, and aim to collect your bib at the marathon expo (held the Thursday-to-Saturday before race day) since there is no race-day pickup.

Is there a guaranteed-entry option that skips the lottery?

Yes, for fast runners. The race offers a guaranteed-entry tier for runners who can show a recent sub-3:20 finish from a World Athletics-certified Platinum, Gold, or Elite Label race, submitted with proof before the stated deadline. This lets qualified runners bypass the ballot. Everyone else goes through the standard lottery. Check the current qualifying-time and proof rules on the official site, as they are reviewed each year.

What is the Taipei Marathon course like?

The course starts at Taipei City Hall Plaza beneath Taipei 101, runs west through the central city, then follows long, flat riverside park paths along the Keelung River before finishing inside Taipei Municipal Stadium. It is almost entirely flat with only gentle undulations, which makes it fast - though the riverside out-and-back sections are exposed and can feel mentally long. Plan your target pace assuming a flat, runnable profile.

What is the Taipei Marathon cutoff time?

The overall finish cutoff is 5 hours 30 minutes (330 minutes) from the gun. That is moderately strict for a big-city marathon, so first-timers should train for a sub-5:30 finish with margin. Intermediate course checkpoints also have their own time limits. Use a finish-time calculator to confirm the pace you need to stay inside the cutoff.

Is the Taipei Marathon a World Athletics Gold Label race?

Yes. The Taipei Marathon has held World Athletics Gold Label status since 2024, making it one of only two Gold Label marathons in Taiwan and the country's highest-tier city marathon. The course is also AIMS/World Athletics certified, so qualifying times run here count toward standards including Boston qualifying.

More Marathon Countdowns

View all marathons