The athlete finishes second in the Transvulcania after an agonizing,close-fought battle against Luis Alberto Hernando.

The first race of the Ultra Running Series, the ultra-marathon, is a 73km-race with a total climb of 8,525m. Kilian also finished third in the vertical kilometer on thursday.

"It has been a very intense race. I had good feelings all throughout the climb. However I've suffered with the heat on the descent and Luis Alberto took the lead. I'd like to congratulate him, he has done an amazing race. And of course thanks to all the crowd cheering us up during the race, it would have been impossible to finish without them" Kilian Jornet said after the race

Photo: Transvulcania Organization