Chinese ultrarunner Ria Xi continues historic Silk Road trek with fading knee pain
Ria Xi, a Beijing-born former tech executive, is running the 20,000km Silk Road route from Vladivostok to Lisbon starting in May 2026.
Runner tracks biometric data daily
The athlete has created a specific test to monitor her physical and mental state. This routine measures energy levels, motivation, and memory alongside standard health metrics. She uses artificial intelligence tools to help develop her running training plans.
Journey spans seventeen nations across Eurasia
Xi departed Russia on May 1, 2026, with the goal of reaching Portugal by summer 2027. She aims to become the first person ever to complete this specific endurance challenge. Her previous record involved running from China's east coast to its western border.
Physical toll changes over distance
At the seventy thousand kilometer mark of her journey, she reports that knee pain has decreased. She also experiences foot pain and migraines during this long expedition. The trip covers a total distance of twelve thousand four hundred miles.
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