China's "Forrest Gump" Starts Ultra-Marathon with Yao Ming

China's Ultra-Marathoner Chen Penbin embarks on a new challenge in Guangzhou on April 2, 2015. Chen will run 100 marathons in 100 consecutive days. [Photo: chinanews.com]

Fisherman-turned ultra-marathon runner Chen Penbin has embarked on a 4,000km journey. He plans to run 100 marathons in 100 consecutive days.

The 37-year-old Chinese man completed the first 42.195km run in Guangzhou on April 2, throughout some of this run he was accompanied by 2022 Winter Olympic bid ambassador and former NBA star Yao Ming.

Yao Ming said Chen was a giant in his own right.

"'Ultra' does not just mean long distance, but also persistence. During the 100 marathons, he will spend a lot of time running alone. He reminded me of Forrest Gump," said Yao Ming.

According to Chen Penbin, after winning a couple of stamina competitions, he believes that he could make it to the end no matter how long the run is.

Born in a small town in southern Zhejiang province, Chen had never imagined becoming a famous runner.

He joined his father's fishing business after primary school. Back then his biggest dream was to "become a 'stockholder' to share the fish with other fishermen," recalled Chen, whose turning point was a stamina contest he participated in 2000.

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

In 2009, Chen came to realize during an endurance race that competition was not only about money.

"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 in seven continents."

In 2014, after a 100km run in the South Pole, Chen became the first person to run ultra-marathons in all seven continents.

Chen will run his second marathon today, from Guangzhou to Dongguan, also in Guangzhou province.

Chen's planned route covers 4219.km, going all the way through Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Tianjin to Beijing on July 10.