Triathlon Review: Challenge Taiwan

A Comprehensive Guide To Racing Challenge Taiwan

*This is a review based on my experience at the 2025 race. I raced the middle distance event, however there are many events from super sprint all the way up to full distance 

Rachel Faulds at Challenge Taiwan

Pre Travel:

At the time of our trip, Canadian passport holders did not require a visa to enter Taiwan. However, visa policies can change, so we highly recommend checking with your country’s official travel advisory or consular services for the most current information before departure.

To help us prepare, we found the following apps and tools especially useful:

• Translation App – We downloaded both English and Mandarin for offline use, which made navigating signs and conversations much easier.

• Taiwan Weather App – Helpful for staying on top of regional weather conditions.

• Klook – Great for booking transit, attractions, and local experiences in advance.

• Taiwan Rail e-Booking System – Ideal for reserving intercity train tickets before arriving.

• EasyCard – Taiwan’s contactless smart card for public transportation and small purchases.

  
  

Getting an EasyCard

The EasyCard is a convenient, reloadable card accepted on the MRT, city buses, some intercity trains and ferries, and even at many convenience stores and vending machines.

You can easily purchase one upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport. Look for "EasyCard" kiosks or service counters near the MRT station in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Cards can be bought and loaded with credit on the spot. We suggest starting with at least NT$500 (22.82 CAD), which covers several days’ worth of transit and minor purchases. Top-ups are available at any MRT station or participating convenience store like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart.

Booking Intercity Travel

We also booked our train tickets from Taipei to Taitung in advance. Seats typically become available about one month before the travel date. Trains can sell out quickly—especially during weekends or holidays—so booking early is highly recommended.

Cultural Considerations: Do’s and Don’ts

Understanding a few local customs can help you feel more comfortable and show respect as a visitor. Taiwan is known for its hospitality, and most locals are very understanding toward foreigners. Still, it’s always good practice to be mindful of cultural norms.

Here are a few general guidelines:

Do:

• Offer your seat to those in need, such as the elderly, pregnant people, or individuals with disabilities. Public transit clearly marks priority seating.

• Use both hands when giving or receiving something like a business card, gift, or cash—it’s a sign of respect.

• Remove your shoes when entering a home. Shoes may be left outside or on a rack indoors. Guests are often provided with slippers.

  • Additionally, leave your umbrellas outside. Many stores have umbrella racks outside so that you can leave your umbrella and not bring water and mess into the shop.

• Queue patiently. Lines are common and well-respected, especially when waiting for transit or food.
  

Don’t:

• Eat, drink, or speak loudly on public transportation. Quiet, respectful behavior is expected in shared public spaces.

• Rush onto public transit. Always wait for others to exit before boarding.

• Open gifts in front of the giver. It’s more polite to thank them and open it privately later.

  
  

These are just a few basics to help you get started. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but putting in a bit of effort to understand and follow local customs goes a long way. If in doubt, observe the people around you or ask someone you trust. And remember mistakes happen- but making a real effort goes a long way.

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The Race:

Venue: Taitung, Taiwan

Photo by Nabeel Chirathodi

Held annually in Taitung, affectionately known as the “Hometown of the Sun,” this event brings together over 7,000 athletes (sometimes up to 10,000) from around the world. It’s the largest triathlon in the Asia-Pacific region. 

While Taitung is more remote than Taipei or Kaohsiung, getting there is straightforward based on Taiwan's rail system. We flew into Taipei, then took a train from Taipei Main Station to Taitung. All our luggage, including bikes, made the trip without issue.

Registration & Expo: Swim: Flowing Lake, Taitung

Held at the Taitung County Stadium, registration and the race expo are well-organized. Packet pickup is inside the stadium building, and outside at the track, you’ll find the expo full of gear vendors, nutrition brands, and Challenge Taiwan’s signature merchandise tent, which featured gear collabs with lululemon and Purpose.

Athletes are treated to high-quality race swag (bags, technical shirts, etc.).One particularly cool design element: the run course loops through the stadium track and expo zone, so when you’re there for packet pickup, you’re literally walking through part of your future finish line.

Photos by Rachel Faulds.

Pro tip: While most staff and volunteers speak some English, knowing a bit of Mandarin—or using a translation app—can deepen your experience and make connecting with the local community even more rewarding. We learned basic phrases and actively used our translation apps.

Swim: Flowing Lake, Taitung

The swim is held in Flowing Lake, a man-made freshwater reservoir fed by a natural spring. The water is calm and the course is spectator friendly. Iit’s a really straightforward swim venue. If this is your first triathlon or first time trying a new distance- the swim is a great beginner option- since the water is calm and you are never far from the shore. 

All distances start from a pontoon, swimming in an anti-clockwise direction around two large turn buoys. For the full it’s a two-lap course with athletes required to pass under a narrow arch each lap, for the middle distance it is a single loop. Note that passing under the arch is a congestion point when athletes from different races overlap. Average Depth: 2.5 meters

• Water Temperature: Usually warm; wetsuits allowed only if the temperature is 24°C or below. Final wetsuit decisions are made by the Race Director during the pre-race briefing. Note that in the 2024 race, it was not wetsuit legal.

  
  

For middle-distance athletes, the start overlaps with full-distance athletes on their second lap, leading to some crowding. The water, while calm and clear, becomes more tactical as sighting and navigation through slower swimmers become key. It also makes it more challenging to ‘draft’ off the feet of competitors. After the swim, athletes face a 1km carpeted run to T1, well-marked and lined with volunteers.

Photo by Nabeel Chirathodi

T1 – Swim to Bike Transition

The first transition includes roughly a 1km run from the swim exit to the transition area. Once you enter T1, you'll stop at your designated race bag containing all your bike gear. Here, you’ll swap your swim gear for your bike essentials, then head over to retrieve your bike. Each bike rack holds only your own bike, and the layout is generally well-organized and easy to follow.

Pro Tip: Choose a memorable landmark near your race bag or bike—like a tree, banner, or sign—to help you quickly locate your spot. With thousands of athletes on race day, it’s surprisingly easy to get turned around in transition.

Rachel in T1. Video by Nabeel Chirathodi

Bike :

• 226km (Full): Two 90km loops

• 113km (Middle): One 90km loop

*Note that for the Olympic, Sprint and Supersprint races the course was shorter with different turnarounds.

The bike course starts in Taitung City and leads riders across the ZhongHua Bridge, along the Pacific coastline, through Doulan, and to a turnaround at BaWangWan. You’ll pass rice paddies, palm trees, and rugged cliffs before heading back inland.

The ride is made up of gentle rollers, nothing too steep- but consistently rolling. . The elevation gain clocks in around 1,546m for the full (226km) and 773m for the middle (113km) based on the course maps. I didn’t properly save my GPS data so I can’t compare the course description to my race day data.  

Traffic Control & Safety

The course isn’t fully closed, but it felt safe. Police, cones, and volunteers manage intersections and create clear separation between athletes and vehicles. It feels safe, professional, and race-focused.

Aid Stations & Trash Zones

Aid stations were spaced out  along the course and well-stocked. Expect the usual suspects: water bottles, electrolyte drinks, and some basic nutrition (gels or bananas, depending on the station).

If you need more time at an aid station, keep to the right and stay out of the main lane. It’s fast-moving, and blocking other athletes is a surefire way to cause issues (or accidents). The first aid station felt a bit congested (both athletes from the full and the middle distance race bunching in this area), but as you got farther from T1 the aid stations felt less congested. 

Like always: Trash etiquette is enforced. You’re only allowed to discard bottles or wrappers in the designated zones before and after aid stations. Intentionally tossing  anything outside of those areas is both disrespectful, and you risk a penalty or even disqualification. Accidental littering is met with a shorter time penalty. 

Race Tip: Check the wind forecast during race week and plan your effort accordingly. Particularly on an ‘out and back’ course, wind direction can play a big role. 

Rachel Faulds at Challenge Taiwan

T2 – Bike to Run Transition

T2 is essentially the reverse of T1. The bike dismount line is clearly marked, and athletes run into the transition area, rack their bike in its designated spot, and then head over to collect their run gear bag. After swapping bike gear for run gear, athletes exit the transition area through the same route used for the swim entrance (on the opposite end of transition). The layout is straightforward, and the entire process is well-organized and easy to follow.

Run:

The run at Challenge Taiwan (like the rest of the race) is both beautiful and deceptively challenging. There were minimal elevation changes but it is hot . The tropical conditions can take a toll. 

The course winds through the heart of Taitung City, around Pipa Lake Park and through stretches of rice paddie fields. Shade is minimal on this course so sun protection and a cooling plan should be a priority for athletes planning their race strategy. 

The route was clearly marked and easy to follow. There was a section (going under the bridge) that athletes would see multiple times on race day (due to the winding course) but the traffic was well managed. Volunteers handed out coloured wristbands at each turnaround to make lap counting straightforward. There were many aid stations, stocked with water, sports drinks, flat coke, ice and sponges. Some of the aid stations were run by the organization while others were hosted by local tri clubs. 

The finish line was excellent. Athletes have their final push through the stadium track (where the race expo is located) to a populated and high energy finishing area.

Finish Line Highlight: A final push through the expo zone and onto the stadium track creates a really fun finish line experience.

Bottom line: if you are racing Challenge Taiwan, respect the heat and soak up the experience. It is quite literally one of the most beautiful venues I’ve had the privilege of racing at.

Photo By Nabeel Chirathodi

Scoring Note: Based on the scoring guide criteria, Challenge Taiwan received a perfect score. However, it's important to note one caveat: I excluded the “Is parking available?” category from this review. Since we did not have a vehicle during our time in Taiwan, I wasn’t in a position to accurately assess parking availability for athletes traveling with cars. As such, this specific element was omitted to maintain fairness and integrity in the scoring. Curious about how we score races? Take a look at our Scoring Guide here.

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Pre Race Training And Accomodation: 

Taitung offers a wide range of accommodations, but with up to 10,000 triathlon festival participants ( plus families, vendors, and regular tourists ) it’s strongly recommended to book your stay early.

We stayed at the Formosan Naruwan Hotel and Resort, which is part of a larger hotel chain with multiple options in the area. It turned out to be an excellent choice for pre-race training. The surrounding area made cycling and running simple and safe, with bike-friendly roads, riverside paths, and dedicated running trails just outside the hotel.

The hotel pool was also large enough for lap swimming and was rarely crowded , which made pre competition training really accessible. Breakfast was included, and while the hotel offers buffet options for other meals, we preferred to explore local spots instead.

Directly across the street was a small breakfast shop that opened early. The food was excellent and we visited every day. Just a short walk away, we also found a pizza place and a cozy café called X (a medium walk from the hotel). At all of the local spots we paid with cash rather than card. Another fun detail: there’s a 7-Eleven across the street, and we still joke that it’s the prettiest 7-Eleven we’ve ever seen.

The good news is that Taitung has accommodations to fit a wide range of budgets. While the race organizers covered our stay, we found the Formosan Naruwan listed at around $180 CAD per night on a third-party site. Other nearby hotels start at approximately $58 CAD per night, making it accessible for many types of travelers.

Additionally, if you select a hotel without a training sized pool Waypoint has a lap pool available located close to the race finish line/expo area at: No. 33號, Lane 586, Section 1, Zhonghua Rd, Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan 950

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Post Race Sightseeing

Quite simply, Taitung is breathtaking. It felt impossible to capture its charm in just a quick list of post-race activities, so we created a full Destination Deep Dive dedicated to it. In that guide, you'll find a more detailed look at what makes Taitung so special, including highlights from the official Taitung Tourism website and a few of our personal favorite restaurant recommendations.

Nabeel infront of our favourite Pizza Spot: Pizza Takeaway: 義大利隔壁手工披薩No. 142, Lianhang Rd, Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan 950

Check out: Destination Deep Dive: Taitung

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Words to Know:

English isn’t always widely spoken, especially in smaller shops or by volunteers, so knowing a few words can go a long way:

• Ni Hao (你好) – Hello
  

• Xie Xie (謝謝) – Thank you
  

• Shui (水) – Water
  

• Dong Bu (東部) – East Coast
  

• Jia You! (加油!) – A cheer meaning "Go!" or "Keep it up!" You'll hear this a LOT on race day.

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Triathlons in Taiwan:

Ironman Taiwan Closest Airport: Closest Airport: Penghu Airport (MZG)

Ironman 70.3 Kenting: Closest Airport: Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)

TriFactor Force Triathlon: Olympic distance triathlon and duathlon Reccomended Airport: TPE

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Where to Stay:

Our accommodation was arranged through the race organizers, and we found it convenient for both training and race prep. That said, the race venue was about 6 km away, so getting there required either a taxi or a good understanding of the local transit system.

Taitung offers a wide range of accommodation options—from hotels to guesthouses—but they tend to book up quickly (just like this race!). If you’re planning to race here, we recommend booking early.

View from Hotel Room, Photo by Nabeel Chirathodi

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Tips and Tricks:

Plan your nutrition in advance, including whether you’ll rely on the on-course aid stations. If you’re using the course nutrition, make sure to practice bottle grabs during training and check what products will be provided ahead of time.

Pack a flat repair kit, including spare tubes or CO₂ if you’re racing tubeless. Road debris and rough patches on course are not uncommon.

Bring your own pump for race morning if possible. There are some available in transition, but lines can get long and pressure gauges may vary.

Arrive early on race morning to allow time to check your bike and wait in the toilet lines—which can be quite long, especially just before transition closes.

Tip: Although your bike will already be racked in transition, you'll still need to pump your tires on race morning. While you're there, double-check that your bike is in the gear you want to start in, load your race-day nutrition, and take time for a short warm-up to get your body moving.

Race-Specific Notes:

• Stay hydrated and have a cooling strategy. Taitung can be hot and humid, especially on the run. Consider using cooling towels, arm sleeves, or ice in your cap. Hydration salts or electrolyte tablets can also help.
  

• Familiarize yourself with the local transit system if you’re not staying within walking distance of the venue. Taxis and scooter rentals are available, but signage may be limited in English.
  

• Keep some cash (New Taiwan Dollars) on you during race weekend, especially if you’re taking taxis, buying snacks at convenience stores, or grabbing local food near the venue. This is a general travel tip. While credit cards are widely accepted in Taiwan, it is always useful to carry some cash in the appropriate currency.

Travel Tips:

• The nearest airport is Taitung Airport (TTT), which has limited flights. Many international athletes fly into Taipei (TPE) and take the domestic flight or train down to Taitung. If using the train, book tickets in advance—especially around race week.
  

• Be respectful of local customs. Taiwan is friendly and safe, and locals are incredibly welcoming. Saying “xièxiè” (thank you) goes a long way.
  

• Stick to bottled water if you’re not used to Taiwan’s tap water, especially during race week. While it’s treated in urban areas, it’s safer to drink bottled, including when brushing your teeth.
  

• Taiwan is known for its night markets! Post-race, explore local food stalls and try new food. The food in Taiwan was one of the highlights for us—my personal favourite: Milk Tea

Photo in Taitung, by Nabeel Chirathodi

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Cost:

The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). At the time of writing, approximately 23 TWD equals $1 CAD. When withdrawing cash from ATMs or exchanging currency, most services charge a small transaction or exchange fee, which may bring the effective rate closer to 21–22 TWD per $1 CAD.

Credit & Cash

Credit cards are partially accepted, especially in hotels, chain stores, and some restaurants. However, many taxis, night markets, and small local businesses are cash only. Among credit cards, Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted.

Tipping Culture

Tipping is not expected in Taiwan and is not a common practice. Service charges (typically 10%) are sometimes automatically included in restaurant bills. You are not expected to tip taxi drivers or hotel staff, though rounding up the fare or offering small gestures is appreciated.

Accommodations

There is a wide range of accommodation options in and around Taitung:

• Budget guesthouses and homestays: $40–$80 CAD per night

• Mid-range hotels: $80–$150 CAD per night

• High-end resorts or official race partner hotels: $150–$300+ CAD per night
  

Note: Official race hotels sometimes offer athlete shuttles, but many athletes stay in local guesthouses and use taxis or scooters. Accommodations book up fast, so reserve early.

Food Costs

Food in Taiwan is generally very affordable, especially at local spots and night markets:

• Local street food or meals at small restaurants: $2–$10 CAD per person

• Mid-range restaurants: $10–$20 CAD per person

• Western-style or tourist-oriented restaurants may cost more: $20–$30 CAD per person

Transportation

• Taxis within Taitung typically cost $6–$12 CAD per ride (depending on distance). There are no Uber or Lyft services in the area.

• Scooter rentals are a popular option for local transport and cost around $15–$25 CAD per day, depending on the provider and duration.

• If arriving from Taipei, you can take a domestic flight (1 hr) or the train (approx. 4–6 hours depending on type), costing around $30–$65 CAD one way.

Race Entry Fee

Note that my fee for this race (in the WPro category) was covered by the race organization. Race entry fees for Challenge Taiwan vary by distance and registration tier. For 2025, estimated fees (converted to CAD) are:

• Full Distance: $400–$600 CAD

• Half Distance: $250–$400 CAD

• Olympic/Sprint Distances: $80–$150 CAD

Note: There are early bird pricing tiers, so registering early can save money. Additionally, this race sells out FAST- so it is recommended that athletes register early. 

Expo & Merchandise

There is no fee to enter the race expo, but as with most large races, official Challenge Taiwan merchandise and gear are sold at a premium. Expect to pay slightly more than local prices for branded apparel, nutrition products, and race-specific souvenirs.

Photo by Rachel Faulds

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Please note that this post was written from my perspective and experiences. Your experiences may vary. Please read the Canadian travel advisory (or your own countries travel advisory) prior to travel.