NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei City Wan Jin Shi Marathon (WJS Marathon) brought a string of excitement on Sunday (March 17), attracting over 11,000 runners, including 334 foreign enthusiasts from 26 countries.
"This is the 22nd Wan Jin Shi Marathon, and I've participated in about 15 of them,” New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih told participants. “The event's achievement of the Gold Label today is thanks to everyone's collective effort. The good mountains, water, and scenery are all here on our North Coast in New Taipei City.”
As the marathon received a Road Race Gold Label award from World Athletics in 2023, Hou stressed his participation every March for the past 18 years without fail.
He further expressed his gratitude to the large number of police officers, firefighters, medical staff, volunteers, local cheer squads, and staff who contributed to the success of the gold-labeled event, showcasing New Taipei City to the world.
The top three male marathon runners were all from Kenya, with Cyrus Kipkemboi taking first place in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 31 seconds, breaking the previous record of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 17 seconds.
Meanwhile, the women's champion, Fozya Jemal Amid, finished in 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 10 seconds and expressed her desire to compete in Taiwan again.
The domestic men's and women's champions of the marathon were Chou Ting-yin and Hsieh Chien-he, respectively.