Italian Gentian Qejvanaj finishes a marathon in Hangzhou in 2018. [Photo/thehour.cn]

Italian Gentian Qejvanaj, who has been living in Hangzhou for nine years, lives quite a dynamic life – he is a sports fan and enjoys filming.

A video he filmed while participating in a marathon in Sanqing Mountain three years ago went viral online, as he was bitten by a viper and could not finish the race.

"I was in the top three at first, but suddenly I came across a snake and felt a sharp pain in my leg," Qejvanaj said. "I've no idea what kind of snake it was, but from the bite and bleeding I knew it was bad," Qejvanaj said.

"I had no phone so I had to run for another 15 minutes before being rescued by a farmer. The organizing committee told me that I was the first foreigner to be bitten by a viper on Sanqing Mountain and they were very concerned about my condition," he added.

"I recorded the entire process and posted it online. Some people commented that I was too crazy or stupid, but I consider it my way of life. It can also serve as a warning to people," Qejvanaj said.

Three years on, Qejvanaj is still "crazy" about sports and has now finished the race he previously had to leave unfinished.

He usually starts his day by running around West Lake, a famous lake in Hangzhou that has inspired generations of people with its natural beauty and history. For Qejvanaj, running around the lake is "a daily treat".

Qejvanaj asks a Chinese person to film him. [Photo/thehour.cn]