Kenyan runners took the top two places in both the men’s and women’s divisions of the 2012 Taroko Gorge Marathon Nov. 3, according to the ROC Ministry of the Interior.
Hosea Kipyego Kogey won the men’s race through Taroko National Park in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien County in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 22 seconds, followed by Richard Mutisya, 2:43:10, and local runner Ho Chih-feng, 2:45:55. Ecler Chelimo Loywapei led all women in 2:51:11, ahead of Michael Wayua, 3:01:46 and Taiwan’s Chien Pei-yu, 3:03:08.
“The world’s only marathon in a canyon, the race is an inspiring event for runners,” MOI Minister Lee Hong-yuan said. “We hope it will motivate more people to run, and at the same time truly experience the beauty of nature.”
The out-and-back route winds along the spectacular marble-walled gorge through tunnels and past tumbling waterfalls.
Huang Chih-chiang, recreation and services section chief with the park headquarters, said, “The event was initiated in 2000 to provide a chance for people to experience Taroko Gorge in a different way, as well as to boost the tourism industry in Hualien.
“About 13,000 runners from home and abroad took part in the full and half marathons this year, among them 352 international competitors from 28 countries including Japan and the U.S.”
Local runners Wang Chiu-chun and Chen Shu-hwa captured the men’s and women’s half marathon titles in 1:11:56 and 1:25:28, respectively. (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at mlkuo@mofa.gov.tw