Taipei: Taiwanese ultramarathon runner Tommy Chen placed second overall in the 250-kilometer RacingThePlanet: Greece 2025 race on Sunday (Taipei time), completing the seven-day event in a cumulative time of 24 hours, 10 minutes and 52 seconds.
According to Focus Taiwan, the ultramarathon, which began on September 28 on the Peloponnesos Peninsula, challenged participants with six stages that spanned rugged terrains including mountains, gorges, ancient ruins, and coastal areas. This grueling course tested the endurance and mental resilience of the runners.
Throughout the event, Chen faced a tough competition with Japan’s Hiroyuki Matsuda. Despite battling cold-induced insomnia, muscle pain, and blisters, Chen persevered. “The pain and sleeplessness were real, but the real test was whether my willpower could overcome them,” he remarked to reporters post-race.
The 39-year-old runner highlighted the “long march” on the fifth day, a 76.5-km stage, as the most challenging. Heavy rains had flooded the narrow trails, compelling runners to wade through water. Chen expressed his fear of hypothermia but emphasized the importance of not stopping. His determination led him to win that stage in 7 hours and 32 minutes.
Chen attributed his impressive performance to months of rigorous training and the support of his running partners back in Taiwan. “This race wasn’t just about competing with others … It was about proving I’m stronger than I thought,” he shared in a social media post.
