Wanjinshi Marathon gains IAAF bronze label

2014-10-22

New Taipei City’s Wanjinshi International Marathon was recently awarded bronze label status for 2015 by the International Association of Athletics Association, putting the race among the top 83 in the world.

“This is Taiwan’s first and only event to achieve prestigious IAAF bonze label status,” New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu said. “I wish to share this accomplishment with residents of the city and vow to achieve silver and gold labels going forward.”

Chu made the remarks after being presented with the bronze label certification on behalf of the IAAF by Thomas Tsai, director-general of Chinese Taipei Athletics Association, Oct. 20 at NTCG headquarters in Banqiao.

“The race’s challenging coastal and mountain route showcases the beauty of New Taipei,” Chu said. “When we host the event next year, we will invite more top runners from abroad to bolster the international visibility of the city.”

Echoing Chu’s remarks, Tsai said Wanjinshi’s upgraded status means local marathoners will no longer have to travel abroad to qualify for the Olympic Games. “Our athletes can enjoy the same hometown advantage as their counterparts from such nations as France, Japan, the U.K. and U.S.”

Since 2008, the IAAF has awarded annual road race labels to leading events around the world. In 2014, 39 received gold labels, 24 silver labels and 20 bronze labels.

All IAAF designated races must adhere to a set of regulations. These encompass such areas as quality of athletes, provision of drink and sponging stations, medical and anti-doping procedures, media coverage, presence of IAAF observers and organization.

As part of efforts to qualify Wanjinshi for a bronze label, CTAA invited 19 runners from nine countries and territories to take part in the 42-kilometer race in 2013. These elite athletes must have recorded IAAF-certified times in the 36 months leading up to the event of 2 hours, 16 minutes for men and 2:38 for women.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223108&CtNode=413)