The first Taiwan-Pingtan Marathon Invitational Tournament will kick off on June 1.

The culture and sports bureau of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Southeast China's Fujian province confirmed the news on the county's official website on April 12, saying details of the event in Pingtan are still under discussion.

The cross-Straits marathon will boost communication between both sides of the Taiwan Straits, said the Taiwan Economic Promotion Association, sponsor of the tournament.

According to the event schedule published by the association, the race will start in June and will last for two days.

The race is divided into three parts. Participants will start off at the Taichung city government square, run along Taiwan Boulevard to Taichung Port, and then board a passenger liner to Pingtan on the Chinese mainland. Runners will then start again along Huandao (Island Ring) Road.

People in Taiwan can register for the tournament at http://www.sportsonline.com.tw/ from March 25 to April 25. Registration in Pingtan is still being discussed, said local culture and sports authorities.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai