TCU Sponsors 10 Kilometer Run to Continue Tradition and Inspire Students to Exercise Regularly

TCU held its 24th annual 10 Kilometer Run on a sunshiny day, which was a perfect day for holding this event. TCU’s faculty members, staff, students, members of Tzu-Cheng & Yi-Te Association, and alumni ran from TCU’s Main Campus, to Chung Shan Road and along various country paths, finally reached Jing Si Abode. A total of 706 people took part in this event.

Around 6:00 AM, many had gathered at TCU’s Main Campus, chatting with each other and getting ready for the run. Participants passed through beautiful countryside, with many people standing at roadsides to offer them water. When the runners arrived at Jing Si Abode, the Masters provided delicious breakfast to welcome them. This 10 kilometer run was not a competition; instead, it was a joyful and warm gathering. Dr. Ming-Han Yan only spent 39 minutes 26 seconds, and he was the first among alumni to arrive at Jing Si Abode. He works at Hualien Armed Forces Hospital. Thus, right after arriving at Jing Si Abode, he returned to his hospital.

Jonathan Mario Ieong is a sophomore of Physical Therapy and he is from Macau. He placed first among his peers. He had represented Macau for the International Ironman Competition during his high school period and visited numerous countries. He said that sponsoring the 10 Kilometer Run was quite meaningful. He was impressed by the beauty of the country roads and happy to see faculty members and students actively encouraging each other. His coach used to remind him that enjoying a sport was far more important than winning. Enjoying sports was the main reason he chose TCU’s Physical Therapy Department. In addition, he wished to gain more skills and knowledge to keep athletes healthy.

The 10 Kilometer Run was an unforgettable memory for many of TCU’s alumni. Dr. Ren-Bi Tsai (Class of ’94), director of the Department of Nephrology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, took part in this year’s 10 Kilometer Run, and this was his second in which he participated as an alumnus. He found out that many participants were born in 1994.

Dr. Tsai wanted to attend the 10 Kilometer Run every year, but his hospital duties tied him up. This year, he was fortunate to be able to make it. He had a vivid memory that when he ran 10 kilometers the first time in 1995, he only weighed 68 kilograms, but his weight went up to 93 kilograms after he went to work. For a period of time, his being overweight required that he take a break after walking up only several stairs. One day he asked a patient to go on a diet and his patient replied, “Look at how fat you are!” From that moment on, he decided to exercise consistently. Dr. Tsai felt that participating in the 10 Kilometer Run was so much fun. He invited TCU students to exercise frequently and maybe they can start running from classrooms back to their dorms. When Dr. Tsai was in university, he had a great time running 10 kilometers with his pals, kept his body in good shape and maintained a joyful spirit. He still has a vivid memory of what happened back then.

Professor Huei-Jhen Wen won first place among female participants. Professor Wen was one of the key persons in charge of this event and right after leading the attendees to warm up, she ran with other participants. After arriving at Jing Si Abode, she rushed to change her clothes, and switched to play her role as mistress of the Awards Ceremony. Professor Wen really wanted to put herself into the shoes of students and thus she ran with the crowd. She joined Ji’an Running Club and attended training sessions regularly, so that she could guide students by her personal example, and lead them to do regular exercise.

The Awards Ceremony took place at Jing Si Abode. Master De Mai spoke highly of the students, for their high spirit and their efforts taking part in the 10 Kilometer Run. She asked students to avoid cell phone addiction and encouraged them to look up to their Tzu-Cheng & Yi-Te dads and moms. These dads and moms are not young anymore, but they exercise consistently and maintain their joyful mindsets. Master De Mai pointed out that exercising regularly and having good physical health are the keys to fulfill their dreams, complete their school programs, and make the best use of their potential. She invited every student to take part in this event next year and welcomed alumni to participate unceasingly in the 10 Kilometer Run.