Tanaka Horse starts with 17,000 people! Jia Yongjie’s gourmet food, newcomers take the lead

The "2026 Taiwan Mi Cang Tanaka Marathon", known as the "most humane marathon", made its lively debut early this morning (8th), attracting 17,000 runners to the small town of Tanaka in Changhua. This year's event was star-studded. Taipei 101 Chairman Jia Yongjie also appeared in the competition, jokingly saying that she was here to "eat delicious food!"; there was also a pair of newlyweds who got married because of Tanaka Horse. They led the race sweetly in suits and wedding dresses, and agreed to run a lifelong love marathon together, becoming the most romantic scene in the entire event.

The Tanaka Horse, entering its 15th year this year, started with a gunshot in front of the Tanaka Town Hall at 6:20 a.m., attracting more than 40,000 people to register for the lottery. In the end, only 17,000 people were lucky enough to win, with a winning rate of about 40%. The event is divided into full marathon, half marathon, and 10-kilometer running groups. This year, a 4.6-kilometer friendly running group was added for the first time to allow more people to enjoy the fun of running.

"I'm here to eat delicious food!" Jia Yongjie said happily. She loves running, and she also likes the humane atmosphere of Tianzhong Ma. She will never forget the rich food supply stations along the way. She said with a smile that she ate roast chicken and steak last time she participated in the competition. This time she was lucky enough to qualify for the competition. What she is looking forward to most is the food along the way. "I don't know what I will eat today, but I hope there will be good food!" She showed her people-friendly and lively side.

Another focus was on the newcomers Zhuang Kaiquan and Hong Shangyu. They appeared on the track wearing handsome suits and romantic wedding dresses, which was particularly eye-catching. Zhuang Kaiquan said that the two met and fell in love while participating in the Tanaka Marathon official training camp. They will soon enter the auditorium. It is particularly meaningful to be invited to lead the race this time. "With so many people witnessing, this long-distance love race will last a lifetime!" The sweet confession added a happy atmosphere to the event.

Changhua County Magistrate Wang Huimei said that the most beautiful scenery of the Tanaka Horse is the enthusiasm of the folks and volunteers. This year, 50 Japanese "Mr. and Miss Tanaka" competed across the sea. The team was led by Tanaka Yuto, the former captain of the Aoyama Gakuin University Track and Field Department, and the common surname bridged the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. The county government also continues to promote the marathon carnival. The "Lukang Marathon" will be held on November 15th and the "Puyan Shunze Palace Champion Road Run" will be held on December 19th, inviting runners to experience Changhua's human touch and local characteristics.