NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The prestigious New Taipei City Wan Jin Shi Marathon (萬金石馬拉松) attracted an impressive lineup of 13 elite international athletes on Sunday (March 16), significantly elevating the competition's profile on the global stage. Among these competitors, 10 held rankings within the world's top 200, marking an unprecedented level of international talent for this Taiwanese sporting event. Organizers raised the stakes with record-breaking money payouts of US$50,000 (around NT$1.6 million) this year, signaling the marathon's growing prominence in the international running circuit.
At the Wan Jin Shi Marathon Pre-race Press Conference on March 14, New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan (劉和然) welcomed participants with evident pride in the event's growing international recognition. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders whose contributions had helped the marathon secure important certifications that validate its world-class standards. The deputy mayor emphasized how these credentials have positioned the race as a significant fixture on the global marathon calendar, attracting elite talent from around the world to Taiwan's shores.
Deputy Mayor Liu revealed that the total championship prize had been increased from last year's US$45,000 to this year's unprecedented US$50,000. The substantial boost reflects organizers' ambitions to incentivize record-breaking performances across all categories. "The international elite runners' records can challenge Wan Jin Shi Marathon's records, regardless of gender," Liu stated, underscoring the event's commitment to celebrating athletic excellence from both male and female competitors on equal footing.
According to the New Taipei City Government Sports Department (新北市體育局), Taiwan's premier distance runners had the opportunity to showcase their talents alongside international stars. Domestic elite athletes Chou Ting-yin (周庭印), Chiang Chieh-wen (蔣介文), and Tsai Yun-hsuan (蔡昀軒) represented the host nation in this formidable field. These local competitors aimed to surpass the impressive benchmarks established last year by Kenya's Cyrus Kipkemboi Muta and Ethiopia's Bekelech Gudeta Borecha, whose performances set the current course records that all participants will be striving to break.
In a culturally significant gesture connecting athletic achievement with local heritage, the press event featured officials and international elite athletes painting Queen's Head-shaped trophies. This artistic activity highlighted the marathon's distinctive logo, which depicts New Taipei City's famous Queen's Head rock formation. Participants exchanged well-wishes for a memorable race experience along Taiwan's picturesque northwest coastline, where runners will enjoy spectacular ocean views while competing on one of Asia's most scenic marathon routes.
The steadily increasing international recognition of the Wan Jin Shi Marathon reflects New Taipei City's successful efforts to establish itself as a world-class sporting destination. The event's ability to attract top-tier international talent, coupled with its stunning coastal route and growing prize purse, has elevated its status on the global marathon circuit. As competitors prepare for Sunday's race, the marathon not only highlights athletic excellence but also showcases Taiwan's natural beauty and organizational capabilities to an increasingly global audience.