Taiwan marathon issues apology for questionable top-finisher trophy

The organizers of the Fengshan Marathon in Taiwan issued an apology on social media last week after awarding winners with faux gold automatic rifle trophies.

According to the Taipei Times, the trophies resembled the Type 95 rifle, a firearm used by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The gun-themed trophies were reportedly designed to reflect the marathon route, which passed through three military facilities affiliated with Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

今天在一场台军方协办的马拉松比赛中，发放的奖杯是中国人民解放军的95 式自动步枪🤣🤣🤣🤣

“靠北，給你發95啦~” pic.twitter.com/auQHWhB7Y9

— Eason Mao☢ (@KELMAND1) March 16, 2025

The controversy around the trophy stems from the fact the Type 95 rifle is a Chinese-made weapon and has been the standard-issue firearm for the PLA and other Chinese forces since the 90s. Given the tense relationship between Taiwan and China—where China has claimed Taiwan as its territory since the 1950s, despite never governing the island—has sparked backlash.

One participant commented, “Is it that hard not to use Chinese-made trophies or medals for government-run competitions?”

In response, marathon organizers took to social media on March 17, the day after the race, to acknowledge their error. They called the use of a non-domestic military firearm model an “oversight,” and announced an immediate recall of the trophies, along with an apology. The organizers assured future events will be handled with greater caution.

In hindsight, a simple “top marathon finisher” medal might have done the job.