[New Taipei City News] The 2025 New Taipei City Wan Jin Shi Marathon kicked off with great excitement today (March 16) at Wanli Feicui Bay. Mayor Hou Yu-Ih and Chinese Taipei Athletics Association Chairman Yeh Cheng-Yen signaled the start for 11,000 runners. Battling the chilly winds, Ethiopia’s elite female runner Mulu Gadise finished in 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 14 seconds, breaking the previous women's course record of 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 25 seconds. Meanwhile, "Son of Jinshan" Chou Ting-Yin successfully defended his title as the men's domestic champion!
 
Mayor Hou Yu-Ih highlighted that Wan Jin Shi Marathon has maintained its Gold Label status for three consecutive years and has reduced carbon emissions by 10% annually since 2023. This year, race towels were produced with less water, finisher bags and staff jackets were made from recycled plastic, and sustainability efforts were further reinforced. Hou expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education's Sports Administration, the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association, the city government team, and all sponsors for their support in making Wan Jin Shi a premier event. He also thanked the dedicated police, firefighters, medical teams, volunteers, local cheering groups, and event staff for their contributions to this world-class Gold Label race. Additionally, he invited everyone to attend the 2025 Taipei & New Taipei World Masters Games in May to cheer for the athletes.
 
Hou emphasized the importance of sports tourism to the North Coast, where the Wan Jin Shi Marathon shines like a queen’s crown along the "Youth Mountain and Sea Route." The region offers stunning sights such as the blooming azaleas of Wan Jin, the seasonal Laomei Green Reef in spring, the famous Wanli crabs in autumn, and year-round hot springs. With an annual participation of over 11,000 runners from 30+ countries, the marathon brings international visitors to the North Coast. Another way to experience New Taipei is through its temple culture, an integral part of the city's identity. Before each marathon, the organizing team prays for a smooth event, ensuring peace of mind and success for the runners. Hou encouraged participants to enjoy local cuisine after the race and visit nearby temples for prosperity, safety, and romance. He also promoted the 10 temple pilgrimage routes launched for the upcoming World Masters Games, inviting everyone to plan their own "blessing journey" along the North Coast.
 
The New Taipei City Sports Bureau noted that 13 international elite athletes from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Kenya competed this year, with a total of 374 foreign runners from 31 countries among the 11,000 participants.
 
2025 Wan Jin Shi Marathon Results:
Women's Marathon Champion: Mulu Gadise (Ethiopia) – 2:29:14
New course record (previous: 2:29:25).Mulu expressed joy in winning and praised the beautiful race scenery. She looks forward to returning next year under better weather conditions to set a new personal best.
Men’s Marathon Champion: Masresha Bere Bisetegn (Ethiopia) – 2:13:47
Trained for three months and found the strong winds challenging. Praised Wan Jin Shi’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Men’s Domestic Champion: Chou Ting-Yin (Taiwan) – 2:26:19.Shared his racing philosophy: “Run your best, never give up—there's always hope!”
Women’s Domestic Champion: Lee Chia-Mei (Taiwan) – 2:57:03.Surpassed her own 2022 course record.After the race, she proudly told herself: "Great job! I improved!"
Runners who completed the first Gold Label marathon in Taiwan can next take on Asia's first-ever World Masters Games in May. This year's race results are available electronically, with finishers able to scan the QR code on their bibs for instant access.
 
For more event details, visit the Wan Jin Shi Marathon official website and Facebook page.