Chen Penbin, from fisherman to sensation

China's ultra-marathon runner Chen Penbin started his new challenge on Thursday -- running 100 marathons in 100 consecutive days.

Chen, a former fisherman, wants to demonstrate that persistence is the only way to success.

"After winning a couple of stamina competitions, I believe that I could make it to the end no matter how long the distance," he said.

From an unknown fisherman to a sensation, Chen has been going through a lot during his childhood. In order to ease off the burden for his family, he went into fishing business right after graduation from primary school.

"At that time, my ultimate dream was to become a 'stockholder' to share the fish with other fishermen," Chen recalled.

However, a competition became a turning point, changing the direction of his life.

"I finished first with 438 push-ups in the competition, and from then on, I started to take part in all kinds of competitions and I found my advantage in stamina," he said.

In 2009, Chen came to realise that competition was not only about money after accomplishing an endurance race.

"I saw the national flag flying from the hotel as soon as I arrived there which touched me a lot, and I came up with an idea to race seven continents."

The new impetus pushed Chen to show up in ultra marathons frequently. In 2014, after 100 km in south pole, Chen realized his dream of competing in ultra-marathon in all seven continents. Moreover, he is the first man to accomplish such a magnificent feat.

"Both 'seven continents' and '100-day' are my milestones, only after bitter challenges can you really taste what is sweet," he said. Endit