Ex-president to join marathon in Matsu

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou (???) will take part in a road race in the offshore Matsu Islands on Saturday to experience running through the islands' historic sites, including its renowned military tunnels.

The 2nd Annual Matsu International Marathon will include a competitive full marathon (42 kilometers), half marathon (21 km) and 10-km run, but Ma will only run casually for 3-5 km.

The races will take runners to the islands' historic sites, such as Tunnel 88, an abandoned military tunnel that is now a wine cellar, and Beihai Tunnel, which was used by the Republic of China army as an underground wharf for supply boats in the 1960s.

Runners will also pass by Iron Fort, where Taiwan's amphibious reconnaissance team (frogmen) used to be stationed, and The Queen of Heaven Temple, which is devoted to the worship of Mazu, Goddess of the Sea.

The top three finishers in the marathon group will receive NT$50,000 (US$1,589), NT$25,000 and NT$20,000, respectively, in cash prizes, according to the organizers.

The top three winners in the half marathon group will get NT$25,000, NT$15,000 and NT$10,000, respectively, and the top three winners in the 10-km run will receive NT$5,000, NT$3,000 and NT$2,000, respectively.

Ma arrived in Matsu on Friday and visited Tunnel 88 and the Matsu Distillery, where he tasted the distillery's famous kaoliang (sorghum liquor).

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel