"I'll Change My Loser's Life": Chinese Man Sets Guinness World Record by Completing Marathons for 372 Consecutive Days

1,000 Days of "One Punch Man" Training, Then a Marathon Challenge
Over 15,000 km Run to Set a Guinness World Record

A Chinese man in his 40s, who had lost his will to live due to business failure and divorce, set a Guinness World Record by running a full marathon every day for over a year after taking up exercise.

On August 10, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Li Shaoyong (41) from Shandong Province, China, completed a full marathon every day for 372 consecutive days in Jinan, Shandong Province, on August 9, setting the Guinness World Record for the "Most Consecutive Days Running a Marathon Distance (Male)."

Lisangyong (41) from Shandong Province, China, set the Guinness World Record for the longest consecutive days running a marathon distance (male) by completing a full marathon course for 372 consecutive days in Jinan, Shandong Province on the 9th. SCMP

This surpasses the previous record of 366 days, which was set by Brazil’s Hugo Farias in August 2023. The official Guinness World Records website also notes that Farias ran a marathon distance for 366 consecutive days in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, as of August 12, the Guinness website has not yet updated Li Shaoyong’s new record. Guinness clarified that records are updated frequently and may not appear on the website immediately.

Li Shaoyong’s challenge began a few years ago when he faced life’s hardships. In his mid-30s, a failure in his aquaculture business left him in debt and his marriage ended. He described himself at the time as a “loser in life,” having lost all motivation and wandering aimlessly. It was after encountering the popular Japanese manga “One Punch Man” that he decided to try turning his life around.

The main character of “One Punch Man,” Saitama, gains overwhelming power through an intense daily regimen of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10 km run. Inspired by this, Li Shaoyong adopted the so-called “Saitama Workout Method.” He continued this training for several years and, in July last year, completed his 1,000th consecutive day. On the final day, he ran 100 km and did 1,000 push-ups, 1,000 sit-ups, and 1,000 squats.

However, he did not stop there. On August 3 last year, Li Shaoyong set out from his hometown of Heze in Shandong Province to begin his new “Annual Marathon Project.” His goal was to run 42.195 km every day across China, aiming to surpass the existing Guinness World Record. Almost every day, he traveled to a new city and started running a marathon from the morning. He broadcast his journey online in real time. On a typical day, he ran at a pace of about 5–7 minutes per kilometer, taking roughly five hours to complete the full course.

Over the 372 days, he passed through more than 300 different cities. His cumulative running distance exceeded 15,000 km. Calculated precisely, running the marathon distance every day for 372 days totals more than 15,696 km. He also participated in official marathon races held in cities such as Suizhou, Changsha, Hangzhou, and Nanjing, further extending his streak. According to SCMP, Li Shaoyong has continued his challenge through all 34 provincial-level administrative regions in China.

Li Shangyong (41) from Shandong Province, China, set the Guinness World Record in the category of 'Most Consecutive Days Running Marathon Distance (Male)' by completing a full marathon for 372 consecutive days in Jinan, Shandong Province on the 9th. SCMP

The process of completing a full marathon daily was not always smooth. The repetitive running caused painful calluses on his feet, and he would visit local foot care shops to have them treated before resuming his run. Reports indicated that he endured the long distances and runs by drinking iced tea and electrolyte beverages.

It is reported that his health is not entirely trouble-free. The running-focused website Marathon Handbook stated that Li Shaoyong showed elevated creatinine levels during recent health checks. However, Li Shaoyong explained that he manages his condition by maintaining a relatively moderate pace. Although he completed 372 days, his challenge is still ongoing.

He plans to extend his consecutive marathon record to 520 days, finishing the journey in Lhasa, Tibet. If all goes as planned, his 520th day will be in early next year. Li Shaoyong compared his long-term goals to the manga “Dragon Ball.” He set a goal of achieving seven major challenges, similar to collecting all seven “Dragon Balls”—with the 1,000-day “One Punch Man”-style training as his first, and the current consecutive marathon as his second. He noted that five more challenges remain.

He told SCMP, “I have been running for five years. Even ordinary people have the opportunity to achieve great things.” He added, “The prerequisite is to make a decision, set a goal, and never let go of your dream. I want to prove through my actions that anyone can create an extraordinary version of themselves if they keep moving forward.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.