Filipino runners set to take over Taipei at 2026 EVA Air Marathon

The road to Taipei is officially open, and for Filipino runners, the 2026 EVA Air Marathon is shaping up as more than a destination race—it’s a statement.

Set for October 25 in Taiwan’s capital, the event is gearing up to welcome a larger, deeper Philippine contingent ready to turn the city’s streets into a global stage.

Launched earlier this month, the marathon renews its push to broaden Filipino participation through TravelCare, the Philippine-based full-service travel agency championing a delegation that blends elite competitors with everyday runners eager to race abroad.

The appeal is simple: a world-class marathon experience wrapped into a travel adventure, with Taiwan unfolding one stride at a time.

Leading the Philippine delegation is Cebuana Olympian and former Southeast Asian (SEA) Games women’s marathon gold medalist Mary Joy Tabal-Jimenez, the event’s EVA Air Marathon Cebu ambassadress, alongside Artjoy Torregosa, silver medalist in the women’s marathon at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. They anchor a lineup that also includes Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) gold medalist Mark Mahinay, SEA Games duathlon silver medalist Franklin Ferdie Yee, and a mix of elite runners from Cebu and across the country, combining pedigree with perspective for a team built on both performance and inspiration.

The race itself is designed as a moving postcard of Taipei, weaving runners past landmarks such as Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and the Presidential Office Building Plaza, with Dajia Riverside Park serving as a scenic start and finish. It’s a course that invites runners to compete while absorbing the city’s rhythm, turning race day into an immersive tour of Taiwan’s capital.

That blend of sport and travel has fueled the marathon’s rapid rise. Since its debut in 2018, the EVA Air Marathon has grown into one of Asia’s premier road races, drawing more than 130,000 runners annually and earning certification from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

Participants can choose from four distances—the 42-kilometer full marathon, 21-kilometer half marathon, 10-kilometer run, and a 3-kilometer fun run—making it accessible to both seasoned racers and first-time international runners.

Momentum toward October will build locally with a Philippine kickoff run scheduled for September 20 in Cebu, with organizers also announcing three gateways for the delegation—Cebu, Manila, and Clark.

The event’s slogan, “Fly from Taipei, See the World,” captures its broader pitch: a marathon that doubles as a gateway to culture, sightseeing, and shared experience, transforming race week into a full-on “racecation.”

TravelCare Cebu, led by owner and proprietor Sunshine Lim, is also eyeing a wider international reach, positioning the program as an entry point not just for Filipinos but for runners worldwide seeking a distinctive Asian marathon.

Registration is already open via www.evaairrunregister.travelcare.asia, with Philippine delegation slots spread across all race categories and a promotional package offering free race entry for participants who book the EVA Air promo package valued at US$399, inclusive of round-trip airfare and a 23-kilogram baggage allowance.

For EVA Air, the marathon reflects a purpose that goes beyond branding and into community building. As general manager Rick Hsieh explained, “To contribute something meaningful to our community—that is our core value. We believe in sharing our service and creating experiences our passengers will love.”

That philosophy carries into the airline’s long-term commitment to sport and athlete support. “We actually have a lot of sponsorship to the athletes in Taiwan. And we think that is good for our people. You know, you exercise, you enjoy your family times. That is our core value—we are promoting sports.”

Come October, that philosophy moves from principle to practice, as Filipino runners take the streets of Taipei not just in pursuit of finish lines, but as part of a growing presence shaped by community, shared experience, and one of Asia’s premier marathon stages.