Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    IN the spring heat, and despite a knee injury, Chen Penbin, China’s first international ultra-marathoner, finished the fourth day of a 42.195-kilometer challenge to run 100 marathons in 100 consecutive days yesterday.

    Chen, who arrived in Shenzhen on Saturday, started his fourth day of running at around 6:45 a.m. yesterday in Longhua New Area. He completed his trip arriving in Pingshan New Area about four hours and 30 minutes later.

    During the last three kilometers of Chen’s run, Wang Liping, a 2000 Olympics medalist, joined Chen.

    “The weather was very hot, so I had to start slow and control my pace, otherwise the running will become torture,” said Chen during an interview after the run.

    Since beginning his challenge in Guangzhou on Thursday, Chen is trying to complete each marathon in less than four hours and 30 minutes.

    Chen, 37, embarked on his journey from Guangzhou on Thursday and will go all the way through Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei and Tianjin. He hopes to arrive at his final stop in Beijing on July 10.

    “Persistence is what has carried me this far. I believe I can reach Beijing on July 10 successfully. No matter what,” said Chen. He also views his running as helpful for China’s bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

    Chen, a native of Yuhuan County, East China’s Zhejiang Province, discovered his stunning stamina at 22 when he did 438 push-ups without a break in a county competition.

    In 2001, Chen won a 4.5-kilometer race in his hometown while wearing heavy weights. The win led to an invitation to compete in Chen’s first marathon in Wenzhou.

    The Wenzhou marathon is an annual 42-kilometer race that requires participants to wear leather shoes. Chen finished the race in three hours and nine minutes.

    In 2011, he went to North Africa to compete in the Marathon of the Sand, a 251-kilometer race in the Sahara Desert, often dubbed the “Hell Marathon” because of the severe dryness and heat.

    In 2014, he ran 100 kilometers in Antarctica, becoming China’s first runner to compete in ultra-marathons on all seven continents. It also places him in an elite few, around the world less than 100 athletes have seven continents under their belts.

    “Only after bitter challenges can you really taste what is sweet,” he said. “As for the future, I hope I’ll be able to compete until I’m 60, although at that age I won’t be competitive against younger runners. I hope I can keep running. To me, running is not about winning medals, it’s a way of life.”