EPISODE · Mar 16, 2026 · 32 MIN
The Silk Road Project - Ria and the 20,000 KM Run (Part I)
from Hiker Trash Radio · host Bleav + Doc
In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, Doc welcomes Ria, an ex-Silicon Valley tech worker turned ultrarunner, who is training for an ambitious endurance project: a 20,000-kilometer run across the ancient Silk Road from Vladivostok to Lisbon. Ria shares her journey from battling depression and a quarter-life crisis to completing remarkable feats like running through Egypt and achieving an FKT on the Camino de Santiago. They discuss her preparation for the daunting challenge, the symbolic significance of the Silk Road, her worst mistake on an excursion, the most vital piece of gear she relies on, and her insights into the mental and physical grind of such an epic adventure. Tune in for an inspiring story of overcoming mental health struggles through the transformative power of running. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
Former Silicon Valley worker and current ultra runner Ria sits down with Doc for some studio time to talk about her upcoming project: running from Vladivostok to Lisbon, 20,000 kilometers following the Silk Road. Settle in and buckle up as Ria shares her escape from learned helplessness and her tech job, embracing nomadism and movement, cultural connections, the magic of peanut brittle, ultras across Egypt, FKTs on the Camino, hail storms on Pikes Peak, and just how exactly you put together all the logistics of running 50 kilometers a day for 15 months across the entirety of Asia and Europe. An instant classic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)
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The Silk Road Project - Ria and the 20,000 KM Run (Part I)
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