Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/04/26
By: Chen Ja-fo and CNA intern Brook Hsiao

Taipei, April 25 (CNA) An international ultra-trail running challenge with a series of obstacles combined with outdoor survival skills and mountain training was held on Sunday in Kaohsiung with the participation of more than 50 Taiwanese and foreign athletes.

The Off-Road Tracker was aimed at testing participants’ physical agility and their skills on emergency response and outdoor survival.

The 54 participants in the 20-kilometer race faced a variety of challenges, such as off-road cycling, rappelling, archery, and running while carrying heavy equipment, swimming through a pond and catching fish by hands.

One of some 20 female participants, Lin Mei-ling (林美伶), who won the third place of women’s division of 20-30 years of age, said it is necessary to be physically healthy first if one hopes to get a better development of his/her professional career.

Prior to starting the race, the participants took part in an orientation program in which they learned how to use the facilities and equipment that would be used in the race and got acquainted with each other.     [FULL  STORY]