The 2025 Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon started at 5:30 a.m. on 12 January, and it was inaugurated by Sebastian Hia, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Taiwan, Wang, Hung-Shiang, Commissioner of Dept. of Sports, Taipei City Government, Kuo, Kuo-Hsiung, Director General of Chinese Taipei Road Running Association and Gabriel Kuan, Head of Corp. Affairs, Brand and Marketing Hong Kong and Taiwan. Despite the chilly weather dipping to 10°C, the event retained its vibrant atmosphere, attracting runners from 56 countries, with a total of 25,000 runners, including an inspiring 82-year-old runner. This multi-generational participation showcased Taiwan’s passion for running.

▲ From left to right, , Kuo, Kuo-Hsiung, Director General of Chinese Taipei Road Running Association, Sebastian Hia, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Taiwan, alongside Wang, Hung-Shiang, Commissioner of Dept. of Sports, Taipei City Government and Gabriel Kuan, Head of Corp. Affairs, Brand and Marketing Hong Kong and Taiwan all together starts 2025 Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon ▲ Full Marathon in Men’s category winner JOSEPHAT OMBIRO AUKA awarded by Taiwanese professional baseball pitcher Kuan-yu Chen ▲ Full Marathon in Women’s Category winner is KANA KUROSAWA from Japan Chen ▲ Full Marathon in Men’s Category winner is JOSEPHAT OMBIRO AUKA from Kenya

Champions of 2025 Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon

In the Full Marathon, Kenya’s Josephat Ombiro Auka won the men’s title with a time of 2:26:03, while Japan’s KANA KUROSAWA claimed the women’s title with 2:42:38. For domestic runners, Chao Yu-Jui and Lee Chia-Mei together as the male and female champions.
In the Half Marathon, Chou Ting-Yin, who recently set a personal best, won the men’s title with 1:07:26, while Chen Mei-Tung clinched the women’s title with 1:22:34.

Partnership with New Balance in 2nd year

Standard Chartered Bank, in collaboration with New Balance, has expanded its training camp for the 2025 Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon. NBRC (New balance Run Club) by New Balance held “runners camp” from November 2024 to January 2025 to keep up the progress of runners and tailor-made training plan, making more whole rounded and scientific experience.

Before the day of Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon, NBRC coach leads “5K shakeout run” to bring international runners to see attractions in Taipei. Besides to see renowned landmark such as 101, runners also mingled with each other and experienced the passion from Taiwan.

Run For Change

Taiwan Marathon famous runner Chao Yu-jui said “Because of the good weather and people, I, luckily, have break my PB and get to win in Domestic Group.

Except Taiwan, Ling Lau, from Hong Kong, takes 2025 Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon as his first international marathon and gets 1:12:49 as 8th place in Half Marathon of Men’s category. After the event, he said “this is the first time to join 2 marathons held by Standard Chartered in a roll. This time I choose 2025 Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon as a very good preparation. Because of the wonderful weather, it also brings me to a good record. Look forward to Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in next month.”

Visually Impaired Half Marathon winner Hung Kuo-chang, in participating Standard Chartered Visually Impaired training camp in November 2024, achieves 2:07:02. After the marathon, he and his running partner said “ It’s inspiring to see Taiwanese people to guide and cheer us on the racetrack. Thanks for Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon to take efforts for visually impaired runners! We know more visually impaired runners can run on racetrack together.”

Run for Better Tomorrow

Standard Chartered also introduced several environmentally friendly approaches at the Race. Encouraging runners to bring and donating pre-owned items at “Old Goods Festival” supporting the community and protecting the environment. Standard Chartered also organized 13K plogging team, led by influencer Serena Fang, resulting the team with around a hundred of runners joining and collecting more than 150 kg of litter along the racetrack. Serena Fang said “it’s very glad to finish the race as the leader of 13K Plogging. Running is not only for health, but for the earth. This is the first time I slow down for something more meaningful. On the racetrack, seeing people collecting liters is the beautiful act for the planet. And it is the belief that Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon holds, I hope more people can join this meaningful activity in the future.”

▲ Zax Wang’s first marathon after Gobi March with Chi Chin

Highlights of the Carnival

As Premier league Liverpool club sponsored partner, Standard Chartered set up the marketplace with football experience for youth to enjoy. Forest market, as the 3rd year in Marathon Carnival, has invited cooperation and social welfare groups to create wonderful event. Moreover, Standard Charted partnered with Criminal Investigation Bureau and Taipei City Police Department to develop anti-fraud program, making parents and children learning while playing.

The event featured multi-generational participants, including popular band Bestards, who run the 3K, Double five double six’s Zax Wang completing his first Full Marathon in 4:43:18, and celebrity Chi Chin finishing the 13K in 1:44:38. Zax Wang remarked, “This was my first Full Marathon after returning from the Gobi March, and the conditions were perfect to hit my goal.”

Bestards’ lead singer Kidding shared his admiration, said, “Seeing such dedication, like Zax’s, motivates us. Running has even improved my singing performance, and I plan to continue training.” At the carnival, Bestards sang popular songs such as “Farewell” and “Fool”, energizing the event with exciting audience applause and cheering.

Gratitude to all participants
Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon sponsors share the good and contribute, adding more exciting elements. The list is as below: Gold sponsors: Prudential Group, JOY COLORi lab grown CVD diamond with SCS verified, New Balance.
Sliver sponsors: Simply, Namchow Crystal, Doppelherz, SAVAS protein Other sponsors: Forest beauty, Granola house, Golden Armor, True Yoga Fitness, Grape King Bio, YES water, Salonpas, Pizza Hut, KFC, BMW Pan German Motors, Allsports image, CITIZEN and Merida.

Futuremakers by Standard Chartered
Futuremakers by Standard Chartered (Futuremakers) is Standard Chartered Bank’s global youth economic empowerment initiative to tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion in the Group’s markets. Futuremakers supports disadvantaged young people, especially women and people with disabilities, to learn, earn, and grow. By 2030,Futuremakers aims to create and sustain 140,000 jobs by enabling young entrepreneurs and job-seekers to achieve economic power and participation. www.sc.com/futuremakers

Standard Chartered Foundation
Established in 2019, SCF is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1184946) and is the lead delivery partner for Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative to tackle inequality by promoting greater economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people, particularly young women and people with disabilities. Its programmes focus on employability and entrepreneurship, helping young entrepreneurs and jobseekers access the skills, networks, opportunities and support they need to achieve economic power and participation. www.sc.com/scfoundation

About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 52 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.
In Taiwan, we opened our first branch in 1985 and acquired Hsinchu International Bank in November 2006.
We provide a comprehensive range of financial solutions to corporates, institutions, and individuals digitally and through our network of branches across Taiwan. Our Wealth and Retail Banking business offers award-winning digital banking capabilities to provide clients with simpler, easier and more convenient ways to bank. Our local market expertise and global reach help corporations fulfil their true international potential through our Corporate & Investment Banking arm. Both businesses incorporate sustainable finance solutions to support our ambition towards a net zero future. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our committed workforce in Taiwan now numbers nearly 2,500 colleagues, where majority are Taiwanese and close to 70% are women.
Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.
For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at Standard Chartered. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.