3,000 take to the hills for Puli Power running event

Taipei, Oct. 4 (CNA) Nearly 3,000 runners took part in the Puli Power mountain running event in central Taiwan's Nantou County on Sunday, passing through scenic spots including Hutoushan Mountain and Liyu Lake while sampling local specialties at 20 food stations along the route.

The event featured four races -- the 42.195-kilometer full marathon, a 24-kilometer race, 10-kilometer challenge run and 5-kilometer family run.

Unlike previous editions, which included a section of National Freeway 6, this year's route returned to a course popular with runners, covering the Geographic Center of Taiwan Monument, Hutoushan Mountain, Liyu Lake and Chung Tai Chan Monastery.

Runners in the marathon and 24-kilometer races had to traverse Hutoushan, which tops out at an elevation of 650 meters.

The 20 food stations offered local specialties including water bamboo, passion fruit, chocolate, curry bread, roasted pork and mullet roe. An agricultural products fair was also held at the main event venue, with dozens of stalls selling local produce and food.

Puli Power has been held for 11 years and has become an event combining running with local scenery and cuisine, giving participants a chance to experience Puli through its landscapes and food, Puli Township chief Liao Chi-cheng (廖志城) said.