How Lisa Ries came back from 7-year hiatus to become Taiwan’s marathon star

Born in Taiwan to a French father and a Japanese mother, Ries drew attention early on, not just for her striking appearance, but for her undeniable athletic talent.

In 2005, while still in middle school, she dominated the 1500-m race at the Taiwan national school games, winning the title three consecutive years. Her blistering time of 4 minutes and 30.50 seconds became an unbreakable milestone in many years, prompting the media to dub her a "track and field genius."

However, early fame came with immense pressure. As a high school student, the weight of expectations became too much for her to bear. In her senior year, she made a shocking decision by walking away from the track, beginning a hiatus that lasted for seven years.

During her time away from the track, Ries’s lifestyle contrasted sharply with her former athlete image. She took on various jobs, working as a waitress, a hotel receptionist and even a nightclub DJ. Her life revolved around partying, cigarettes and alcohol, a way to distance herself from her athletic past.

Years later, Ries (R) realized this lifestyle didn't reflect who she really is. In 2014, she entered a 5 km night run in Tainan City and unexpectedly finished first. That moment became the turning point that brought Lisa back to running.

This time, she was no longer running to meet the expectations of others, but to find herself again.

Shortly after her return to competitive running, Ries became pregnant. While many might view this as the end of a newly restarted athletic career, she chose to keep going. After consulting with her doctor, she maintained a suitable training regimen.

Remarkably, at seven months pregnant, she entered the 21 km run at the Taipei Marathon. Although physical discomfort forced her to stop at the 11 km mark, her participation challenged stereotypes and sparked conversations about pregnant women and exercise.

In her personal life, Ries and her ex-husband, Brian, are divorced but maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship. She believes that a loving environment for her son is more important than the traditional structure of a marriage.

Most recently, at the 2026 New Taipei City WJS Marathon, Kenyan athletes took the top podium spots, with Enock Onchari winning the men's race and Catherine Cherotich taking the women's title.

However, Ries was the domestic winner among Taiwanese female runners, finishing in 2 hours and 53.01 minutes.

Ries’s public persona is also deeply tied to her family. She is the middle child of three sisters, all of whom share a passion for running. Her elder sister, Emmie, is a well-known television personality and active member of the Taiwanese running community, while her younger sister also competes regularly.

Local media frequently refers to the trio as the "runner family," and they are often seen supporting each other at sporting events and on social media.