Reza Baluchi – Timeline of Endurance & Mission (1996–2025)

A journey of survival, sacrifice, and peace — powered by human endurance and unbreakable faith.

 

 

1996–2002: Ironman, World Bike Tour & Asylum in the U.S.

  • 1996 – Won 1st Place in the Singapore Ironman

  • Biked through 55 countries, covering nearly 50,000 miles over 7 years to spread a message of peace and unity

  • Accidentally entered the United States; found by border patrol sleeping in a tent 27 miles inside the country

  • Detained for 4 months, then granted political asylum for his dissident status in Iran

  • Donated his beloved bicycle (which journeyed through 55 nations) to the New York Fire Department, honoring 9/11 first responders and symbolizing unity between Iran and America

 

 

2003: Running for 9/11 & Mother’s Day

  • Ran more than 3,000 miles from California to Ground Zero, New York City, in honor of the 9/11 victims

  • Later ran again for Mother’s Day, dedicated to mothers affected by war

 

 

2006: Mourning Run Through Death Valley

  • After losing his father in Iran (unable to return home), Reza ran 1,000 miles in 10 days through Death Valley

  • A personal tribute through extreme endurance and grief

 

 

2007: Running Around America – 11,720 Miles

  • Completed a full loop around the United States — 11,720 miles in 202 days, averaging 52 miles per day

  • Began on Father’s Day in Central Park, New York City

  • Raised funds for the Children’s Hospital Denver

 

 

2009: Guinness World Record Attempt

  • Ran 3,300 miles in 43 days across America

  • Averaged 76 miles per day

  • Raised funds for UNICEF

 

 

2010: Ultra Races & High-Altitude Victories

  • Won two 24-hour ultra races at Boulder Reservoir, Colorado

  • Won 1st place in a 12-hour high-altitude race, covering 66 miles

  • Completed the 135-mile Death Valley ultra

 

 

2010–2012: Life in Death Valley

  • Lived in a tent in Death Valley for two years

  • Trained in isolation to prepare for future Hydropod ocean missions

 

 

2013: Catalina Island Ocean Mission

  • Used his self-built Hydropod to run 52 miles round-trip on water from Newport Beach to Catalina Island in 23 hours

  • Raised funds for the homeless

  • Moved to Florida to prepare for the Bermuda Triangle mission

 

 

2014–2016: Bermuda Triangle Attempts (3x)

  • 2014 – Traveled over 700 miles, reaching 150 miles off the Florida coast before the U.S. Coast Guard stopped and destroyed the Hydropod

  • 2015 – Second attempt halted after 3 days at sea

  • 2016 – Third attempt stopped again by the Coast Guard

  • Took a four-year break to redesign and rebuild the Hydropod

 

 

2021: One Week at Sea – Pod Destroyed

  • Launched from Pompano Beach, Florida, aiming for New York City

  • Reached near North Carolina after one week

  • The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted and destroyed the Hydropod

  • Reza was rescued, but his vessel was shot and sunk

 

 

2023: Barefoot Across America & Attempt to Reach London

Barefoot Run

  • Ran 4,050 miles from Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles, to Washington D.C.

  • Completed in 90 days, averaging 45 miles per day, barefoot

Atlantic Ocean Mission

  • Launched a new Hydropod from Georgia, aiming to reach London

  • Stopped after 10 days at sea; the pod was destroyed by the Coast Guard

  • Taken to federal court, but vowed to continue his mission — from another country

 

 

2024–2025: Rebuilding Abroad

Work & Sacrifice

  • Worked more than 100 hours per week at two jobs for nearly two years

  • Survived a car accident caused by exhaustion from overwork

Hydropod Construction

  • Booked a flight to Portugal to build the Hydropod but changed his mind after meeting his family in Turkey

  • Traveled to Turkey but found no suitable shop

  • Hong Kong was too small

  • Finally, Taiwan — where he successfully began building the new Hydropod

Running in Taiwan

  • Ran 1,300 km in 15 days around the entire country

Philippines Experience

  • Met helpful and skillful Filipinos who joined his Social Media and Digital Team

  • Met with the Rotary Club in the Philippines, building strong connections and deciding to help the country after his journey

  • Lost $5,500 in an online scam while purchasing boat fenders — but continued forward with determination

 

 

Coming Soon: Global Sea Mission (Launch – December 28, 2025)

  • Launching from Taiwan aboard the new Hydropod

  • A one-year sea journey powered by human endurance across:

    • South China Sea

    • Red Sea

    • Black Sea

    • Atlantic Ocean

  • Destination: Florida, USA (2026)

  • A mission for peace, perseverance, and environmental awareness — powered by one man, one vessel, and one unbreakable dream.

 

 

About Reza Baluchi

“I do this for peace.
 For those who suffer.
 For those who believe in the impossible.”
 — Reza Baluchi

 

In 1972, Reza was born into a family of seven siblings. They lived farming rice by the Caspian Sea in Northern Iran. His mother and father worked very hard to provide for their children.

At the age of eight Reza felt compelled to help his family he began to learn the trade of an automobile mechanic where each day after school he ran nearly fourteen miles to and from work.

The pride Reza saw in his fathers face motivated him to do more. By the age of fourteen he would frequently ride to Mashhad about six-hundred and twenty-one miles each way over the Elburz Mountains. He joined the national cycling team and competed until he attained the age of eighteen when he went to serve for his country in the army.

In search for a new beginning he left for Germany and he joined another professional cycling team. By the age of 24 he began competing in Vela Rome and placed on the podium in both team and individual competitions.

Following his heart he began biking thru other countries. From Europe he headed to Asia then to Japan and then Australia. He continued biking to Africa, Central America to then to Mexico. Reza spent seven years biking across fifty-five countries on six continents and covered over 49,700 miles. He delivered a message of peace every where he went, shared love and began to experience life in a way many people only dream of.

After the events of September 11th Reza felt compelled to show Americans that Iranians are peaceful. He left his life in Los Angeles and headed for New York with an arrival on the anniversary and broke a world record in the process.

In 2007 Reza once again laced up his shoes and decided to run around the perimeter United States. He ran over 11,720 miles in 202 consecutive days and donated the monies raised to The Children’s Hospital of Denver.

Reza Baluchi has traveled our world and shared in the lives of people from every nation. He understands we are all the same and strives for peace in life and hopes to inspire unity.