KINMEN (TVBS News) — The Kinmen Marathon (金門馬拉松) on Sunday (Jan. 19) drew 7,000 runners from 22 countries, marking the first post-pandemic participation by mainland Chinese athletes. Mainland Affairs Council (陸委會) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) joined the 10-kilometer race, emphasizing the event as a beacon of cross-strait harmony and cooperation through sports.
The full and half marathons began at 7 a.m. and 7:10 a.m., respectively, with Chiu and Kinmen Deputy Magistrate Li Wen-liang (李文良) firing the starting gun. Li noted the marathon's growing global appeal and its potential role as a bridge in cross-strait exchanges. Taiwanese athletes dominated the 10-kilometer races, with Chen Bing-feng (陳秉豐) winning the men's category in 33 minutes and 44 seconds, and Yu Ya-chun (游雅君) taking the women's title in 37 minutes and 48 seconds. Kenyan runners claimed the full marathon titles.
The event significantly boosted local businesses, with high occupancy rates at hotels and guesthouses in Jincheng (金城) and nearby areas. Restaurants and eateries in Jincheng District (金城區) thrived, serving nearly 1,000 mainland Chinese participants, leading to packed venues. The demand for rental cars surged, with electric vehicles becoming a popular choice. Local councilor Tung Sen-po (縣議員董森堡) likened the bustling atmosphere to the festive Lunar New Year period, estimating the economic benefit from participants alone at NT$70 million.
