Gamania Coast-to-Peak Ultramarathon Achieves International Certification for Three Consecutive Years! 9 Runners Complete the Ultimate Challenge
Taiwan hosts around 500 marathons annually, attracting over a million participants, he 2025 Gamania Coast-to-Peak Ultramarathon stood out for its exclusivity–only 22 athletes took up this challenge that is one of Asia’s most demanding ultramarathon courses, spanning 177 kilometers with a grueling 6,047-meter total elevation gain, and temperature swings exceeding 20°C from day to night. This year, Australia’s backyard ultra record holder, Philip Gore and Japan’s ultramarathon king, Yoshihiko Ishikawa were invited to compete. They ran alongside Taiwan’s elite runners from Tainan’s National Museum of Taiwan History to the Yushan National Park boundary marker. Philip Gore from Australia took the first place, followed by Yoshihiko Ishikawa from Japan and Lin Bing-Ren from Taiwan.
Organized by Gamania Cheer Up Foundation, the ultramarathon route is based on the Mountains-to-Sea National Greenway, incorporating 400 years of natural landscapes, historical sites, and cultural depth. The event began its planning phase in 2021 and held its first test race in 2023. After obtaining official course measurement certification from AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), an invitational race was held in 2024, along with an application for certification from the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU). This year marks the first time international athletes have been invited to compete in Taiwan, with the hope of fostering a spirit of adventure through mutual exchange and camaraderie among runners.
From night to day, from the shore to the summit, the “Gamania Coast-to-Peak Ultramarathon” is more than just a race—it’s a true test of self-transcendence for runners. The elevation changes and temperature fluctuations along the course directly challenge the athletes’ adaptability and mental endurance.Renowned marathon pacer and event coordinator Huang Chong-Hua shared, “It’s harder than climbing Taipei 101 ten times!” Even elite ultrarunner and event advisor Tommy Chen said it’s a “super tough challenge.”
The Gamania Cheerup Foundation is dedicated to promoting adventure education, and views the Mountains-to-Sea Greenway as a site to inspire Taiwanese people to push their personal limits.
Besides the ultramarathon, the foundation runs the Gamania Adventure School annually to guide younger generations through walking expeditions that prepare them to face the unknown, cultivate resilience, and foster execution skills,in the attempt to build up a legacy of adventurous culture in Taiwan.
News excerpted from：Nownews