RACINGTHEPLANET: GREECE 2025 250 KM / 155-MILE, 6-STAGE ULTRAMARATHON

Stage 2: Everyone Through Checkpoint 3, Approaching Camp

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 at 07 00 pm

Checkpoint 3 is now packing up and the sweepers are on their way to Camp! Stage 2 of RacingThePlanet: Greece should be drawing to a close soon. Arun Balakrishnan of the United States and Mohamed Al Qassimi of United Arab Emirates rounded Checkpoint 3 together at the back of the pack.

Women’s Leaders:

1. Vicki Connelly (GBR)

2. Inoue Chizuru (JPN)

3. Rachel Harrod (GBR)

Men’s Leaders:

1. Matsuda Hiroyuki (JPN)

2. Tommy Chen (TWN)

3. Reinhold Hugo (SUI)

Absolutely stunning views of the mountains as competitors make their way along the Spartan trail and golden sunshine all along the way. What a wonderful time to be racing through Greece!

We will return with an update once all competitors have reached camp. Stay tuned and remember you can follow the race on our website and all our social media platforms!

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Stage 2: Afternoon Update from the Field

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 at 05 00 pm

100 competitors from the 250km race have made it to camp as of writing in what is proving to be a tough stage! On the Ultralite end, all 25 competitors have finished and are now at camp. “Ultramarathon Man” Dean Karnazes of Greece was the top man today, running his 18.1k in 2 hours 20 minutes. Brandi Campbell of the United States was next, crossing the line with Andrew Campbell 20 minutes later.

Back to RacingThePlanet: Greece. 100 are in to camp so far, 140 have passed CP3, leaving just a few between CP2 and CP3 as the sweepers approach the second checkpoint. There have been five withdrawals today, all of whom are resting and doing well. Vicki Connelly finished first again for the women, maintaining her lead.

Women’s Leaders:

1. Vicki Connelly (GBR)

2. Inoue Chizuru (JPN)

3. Rachel Harrod (GBR)

Men’s Leaders:

1. Matsuda Hiryuki JPN

2. Tommy Chen (TWN)

3. Reinhold Hugo (SUI)

We'll be back with more updates in just a bit as more competitors draw nearer to Camp 3!

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Stage 2: First Finishers for Stage 2!

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 at 02 00 pm

Four hours into the stage, already there were two finishers! Today is Matsuda Hiroyuki of Japan winning Stage 2, with Tommy Chen of Taiwan finishing second about 9 minutes later. 8 have come through to Camp 3 so far. Through CP3 it looks that Vicki Connelly is maintaining her lead on the women’s end.

Women’s Leaders:

1. Vicki Connelly (GBR)

2. Inoue Chizuru (JPN)

3. Rachel Harrod (GBR)

Men’s Leaders:

1. Matsuda Hiryuki (JPN)

2. Tommy Chen (TWN)

3. Kyle McCoy (USA)

Checkpoint 3 has a furry visitor, who followed the course from CP2!

The sun has broken through and competitors are enjoying the course! Gowri Muthumalai of the United States says, “how on Earth does Carlos find these routes, it was incredible. Another beautiful course through mountains, forests, and villages.

We’ll be back with more updates from the field as things continue to develop, as well as more from our Ultralite competitors!

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Stage 2: In The Footsteps of the Spartans

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 at 09 00 am

Once again, competitors have set off from camp as Stage 2, "In the Footsteps of the Spartans," begins! Tommy Chen of Taiwan received his leader’s bib this morning for the men, and Vicki Connelly leads the way for the women’s division. Applause erupted at the awarding of the leader's bibs, everyone in awe of their impressive finish times. A total of 151 Ultramarathon competitors lined up alongside the 25 Ultralite competitors. There were no withdrawals, and all those who finished Stage 1 yesterday were feeling fresh enough to keep going. Two birthdays were celebrated with cake before the start today for Alasdair Morrison and Jorge Rocca who exclaimed, "Oh wow, thank you, I forgot!"

A slight correction to the women's results posted in yesterday's breaking news:

Women’s Leaders:

Vicki Connelly (GBR)
Inoue Chizuru (JPN)
Rachel Harrod (GBR)

Note: Linda Sun of Canada, who was previously reported as finishing third, is actually starting the day in fourth place, four minutes behind Rachel Harrod of the United Kingdom.

Men’s Leaders:

Tommy Chen (TWN)
Matsuda Hiroyuki (JPN)
Reinhold Hugo (SUI)

Team Leaders:

Official Team: Siberian Spartans (Evgeny and Dmitriy Dobrov)
Group Team: Summit Spartans (Reinhold Hugo, Narayan Bharadwaj, and Gowri Muthumalai)

Today the course reaches its highest point, peaking at 1,562m near Checkpoint 1 (CP1). From there, it is mostly downhill as competitors leave the Taygetus Range and cross into the Parnón Range. Competitors will then traverse the plains of Ancient Sparta, which takes them into Camp 3, where they will spend the night where warriors of old once trod.

It looks like another incredible day is in store in Greece. Some showers are expected, but then sun. The sun popped out shortly after the start, and will hopefully endure for a while. We will be live with more updates soon!

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