TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan ultramarathoner Tommy Chen (陳彥博) finished second at the 250 km RacingThePlanet: Greece 2025 on Sunday with a cumulative time of 24 hours and 10 minutes.

The seven-day, six-stage race began on Sept. 28 and crossed mountains, canyons, ancient cities, and coastal routes, testing runners’ physical and mental endurance, per CNA.

On Stage 1, Chen dueled with Japan’s Matsuda Hiroyuki over steep climbs, gravel tracks, and canyons. As the event progressed, he faced hypothermia, insomnia, muscle soreness, and blisters.

He also suffered back abrasions from carrying gear. After the race, he acknowledged the discomfort but said, “The key to the race lies in whether one’s willpower can overcome these challenges.”

Chen said his most vivid memory was the Stage 5 “Long March,” a 76.5 km leg that started in heavy rain, flooding trails and forcing runners to wade through water. “What I feared most wasn’t the pain, but the possibility of hypothermia if I stopped. I just told myself to keep running.” He won the stage in 7 hours and 32 minutes.

Chen added there were moments of anxiety when he doubted he could persevere, but he leaned on extensive pre-race training and support from his training partners. “This race wasn’t just about competing with others. When I grit my teeth and overcome the pain, I can once again prove that I am stronger than I thought.”