Wanjinshi Marathon 2027 marks 25th milestone, permanently removing the notorious McDonald's Hill.

The New Taipei City Government officially announced today that the New Taipei Wanjinshi Marathon, a highly anticipated event for runners both domestically and internationally, will be held on March 21, 2027. As a landmark large-scale road race in Taiwan, the event has built an excellent reputation among running enthusiasts and earned the World Athletics Gold Label certification, thanks to its unique coastal scenery and refined race services. To mark the historically significant 25th edition, the organizers have demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation in the new race planning. The most talked-about and closely watched change is the major adjustment to the course route. The organizers announced that the classic challenging section known as the "McDonald's Hill," which runners have jokingly dubbed the "Great Demon King," will be completely removed. It will be replaced by the gentler sections of Huanjin Road on Provincial Highway 2. This change is expected to have a profound impact on participants' finishing strategies and performance outcomes.

Looking back at the development of the Wanjinshi Marathon, the event has long been a major highlight in Taiwan's long-distance running community. In previous years, the course followed the beautiful northern coast of Taiwan. While the majestic landscapes of mountains and seas were breathtaking, the McDonald's Hill in Jinshan District, New Taipei City, located in the latter half of the race, remained the biggest nightmare for all full marathon and challenge marathon runners. This steep slope, situated in the middle-to-late stage of the event, often presented a test of physical limits when runners had already expended significant energy and endurance. Many runners were forced to slow down or even walk through this section, which became the greatest obstacle to achieving personal bests. Responding to public opinion and the need for course optimization, the organizers have decisively removed this challenging segment. By rerouting the course to the gentler sections of Huanjin Road on Provincial Highway 2, they have significantly lowered the barrier to completion, allowing runners of various levels to enjoy the pleasure of long-distance running in a more comfortable and secure manner.

In addition to the substantive course adjustments, the New Taipei City Government has carefully planned a series of commemorative events to celebrate the marathon's 25th anniversary. The most noteworthy highlight is a special 25th-birthday initiative targeted at young people who are the same age as the event. This initiative aims to connect the event's growth trajectory with the youthful vitality of the same generation. Through exclusive registration mechanisms and commemorative incentives, it seeks to attract new young participants to long-distance running, injecting fresh energy and innovative momentum into this historic benchmark event. This reflects a deep commitment to the event's legacy and generational transition.

Regarding the registration process, the registration period, which has drawn significant attention from the running community, is confirmed to open on the 15th of this month. In recent years, participation in the Wanjinshi Marathon has reached new highs, with quotas often falling short of demand. Consequently, a lottery-based registration system has become the norm. With the removal of McDonald's Hill and the boost from the 25th-anniversary celebrations, this year's registration numbers are expected to break previous records, attracting a large number of runners from all over Taiwan and even overseas who will rush to secure their spots. For runners wishing to participate in this silver jubilee event, keeping track of the registration schedule starting on the 15th will be the crucial first step in successfully taking on this newly optimized course.

Overall, the transformation of the Wanjinshi Marathon from a local event to an international Gold Label race has been the result of joint efforts by the organizers and the runners. The decision to remove McDonald's Hill not only demonstrates the organizers' sincerity in listening to runners' voices and continuously optimizing the race experience but also significantly improves the overall flow and accessibility of the course. While balancing challenge with mass participation, the 25th Wanjinshi Marathon is presenting a new face to the global running community. This event is not merely a sporting competition; it is also an important window showcasing local Taiwanese scenery and organizational capabilities, with its future development highly anticipated by all sectors.

(Source: Central News Agency)