Ethiopian Runners Dominate Wan Jin Shi Marathon with Record-Breaking Performances

Taipei: Ethiopian athletes Gadise Mulu Demissie and Masresha Bere Bisetegn emerged victorious in the Wan Jin Shi Marathon held in New Taipei City. Demissie set a new women's record, while Bisetegn claimed the top spot in the men's race. According to Focus Taiwan, Demissie completed the marathon in 2 hours 29 minutes and 25 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Ethiopian Bekelech Gudeta Borecha in 2023 by 12 seconds. In the men's race, Bisetegn finished with a time of 2:13:47, which was 4 minutes and 16 seconds shy of the record set by Kenya's Cyrus Kipkemboi Mutai in 2024. Chou Ting-yin was the leading Taiwanese runner in the men's race, securing ninth place with a time of 2:26:18. In the women's category, Joymei Lee was the fastest Taiwanese finisher, completing the marathon in eighth place with a time of 2:57:03. The marathon attracted 11,000 participants, including 374 runners from 31 countries, as reported by the organizers. The annual event features a scenic route along the northeast coast, p assing through the Wanli, Jinshan, and Shimen districts of New Taipei in northern Taiwan.