New US Ambassador Max Baucus Confirmed; May Run Beijing Marathon

Beijing is about to get a new expatriate: on Thursday, the US Senate approved its long-term member Max Baucus of Montana as the new United States ambassador to China. Baucus was unanimously confirmed, and will replace Gary Locke, who is set to leave this month.

In one of his first statements after being confirmed as ambassador, Baucus said he would head over to Da Dong for some Peking duck had plans to do something athletic: "I've actually got my eye on the Beijing Marathon," the accomplished runner told Runner's World. However, Baucus, 72, wasn't sure if he would have time in his new post to train for the full 42 kilometers, and might just do the half-marathon instead.

Baucus, who is expected to arrive in March, has probably run the fastest marathon among active American politicians. A Democrat and native of Helena, Montana, was first elected to the US Senate in 1978.

Locke, who formerly served as governor of Washington and as US Secretary of Commerce, arrived in Beijing in March, 2011. Both men were nominated by US President Barack Obama.

Registration for the Beijing Marathon won't start for another few months, but sign-up for the Great Wall Marathon has already begun. With the race set for May 17, better hurry up with both training and registration.

Photo: Washington Post