First International Ice Skating Ultramarathon Adds Family 8-Hour Challenge at Daxi Detention Basin

The Never Stop International Inline Skating Ultramarathon will take place on November 29 this year on the roads surrounding the detention basin in Daxi Yuemei Zhongzhuang, Taoyuan. Since its inception, the event has been held for multiple consecutive editions, attracting roller skating athletes from various Asian countries, Europe, and North America. The course is approximately 40 kilometers long, passing through farmland, communities, and water conservation facilities. It not only tests the endurance and skills of the competitors but also allows spectators to experience the speed and beauty of skating up close. The organizers have specially arranged safety vehicle fleets and medical stations to ensure that any emergencies during the race can be handled promptly, demonstrating a high level of concern for the health of the participants.

This year's event introduces a brand-new category, the "8-Hour Family Division," aimed at encouraging parents and children to jointly participate in a long-duration sports challenge. The entry requirement for the family division is to complete the full course within eight hours, allowing family members of different age groups to cooperate and move forward on the same route. This move not only responds to the growing demand in Taiwanese society for family-inclusive sports in recent years but also echoes the government's promotion of the "Healthy Taiwan" policy, hoping to raise public sports awareness through family-based experiences and foster the habit of continuous exercise in daily life.

The development history of roller skating in Taiwan can be traced back to the 1980s. At that time, it was primarily focused on street freestyle skating, which has gradually evolved into a diverse activity emphasizing both competition and leisure. In recent years, with the improvement of urban bike lanes and public spaces, the venues for roller skating have become broader, and related competitions and events have increased year by year. The hosting of the International Inline Skating Ultramarathon provides a platform for the local roller skating community to interact with international athletes while enhancing Taiwan's visibility on the global roller skating map. This competition in Daxi, in particular, has become an ideal racing environment due to its location in the northern plains and mild climate, attracting quite a few local amateur athletes to take on the challenge.

Beyond the sport itself, the event also integrates local culture and tourism resources. Viewing points will be set up around the farmland and traditional markets near the detention basin during the competition, allowing the public to enjoy local snacks and agricultural products while watching the athletes skate. The organizers have also cooperated with the local government to launch related accommodation and transportation discount packages, hoping to leverage the excitement of the race to stimulate the surrounding economy and create a win-win effect of "sports plus tourism." Successful cases of similar events in the past have shown that sports competitions often enhance regional exposure, attract outside visitors, and further promote the development of local industries.

Overall, the Never Stop International Inline Skating Ultramarathon is not only a contest of physical fitness and skill but also a platform for social and cultural exchange. From the high-level competition of professional athletes and the heartwarming interactions of the family division to the participation and support of the local community, this race presents multi-layered values and significance. If the scale and categories of the event can continue to expand in the future, it will help deepen Taiwan's influence on the international sports stage while promoting the goals of national health and family harmony. (Source: Central News Agency)