2024 Mizuno Marathon Relay Race

willy  January 21, 2025

Since the inception of the Mizuno Marathon Relay in 2005, jointly organized by Mizuno and the Republic of China Sports Federation, it has become the largest relay race held in Taiwan each year. Many student teams and running groups eagerly anticipate this event. Inheriting the spirit of Japan's Hakone Ekiden, the Mizuno Marathon Relay is the most historic and competitive relay race in Taiwan, offering an opportunity for amateur runners to participate.

This year, the Aki-Masa Foundation fully supported Mizuno in promoting the Marathon Relay Race as a nationwide sporting event. To address the impact of rising registration fees, the foundation subsidized student running teams with NT$3,000 per team, encouraging greater student participation and ensuring financial concerns wouldn’t deter potential runners.

The marathon took place on November 17th, starting from the Pacific Construction Parking Lot No. 2. Despite rainy weather, the enthusiasm of participants remained undampened. New additions this year included the Corporate and Leisure (4-person) categories, promoting workplace sports culture and providing opportunities for smaller teams to join, attracting more participants to road running.

In the Social Division, the championship went once again to the "Bigfoot Dragon Team," led by the "Black Lightning" Chiang Chieh-Wen. In the fiercely contested Junior High Division, Hsinchu County Jianshi Junior High School faced off against the 12-time defending champion New Taipei Municipal Guang Rong Junior High School. Jianshi took the lead after the 5th runner, holding a 1-minute-20-second advantage during the 7th baton exchange. However, Guang Rong 8th runner, Xia Pin-Hong, staged a dramatic comeback, overtaking Jianshi within the final 100 meters, achieving a 3-second victory and extending their championship streak to an incredible 13 years.

Official Results

1. Social Division Gold Medal: Bigfoot Dragon Team – 2:26:22 (2nd consecutive championship)

2. Corporate Division Gold Medal: ASUS – 3:11:20

3. Leisure Division Gold Medal: Unlimited Running Club – 2:47:28

4. College Division A Gold Medal: University Of Taipei – 2:30:25

5. College Division B Gold Medal: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University – 2:47:03

6. High School Division Gold Medal: Hsinchu County Hukou High School. – 2:33:32

7. Junior High Division Gold Medal: New Taipei Municipal Guang Rong Junior High School. – 2:46:01 (13th consecutive championship)

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