Vita Riera

PROFILE

Vita is a Venezuelan-born marathon runner and Exercise Physiologist who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 11 years old — discovered almost by chance during routine bloodwork. What began as a frightening diagnosis for a young girl who feared needles quickly became the catalyst for one of the most defining chapters of her life.

Growing up the youngest of four siblings in Venezuela, Vita was always active, competing in swimming and tennis from an early age. Running came later, but it became the sport where she truly found herself — eventually competing for Texas A&M University in cross country and track before transitioning into competitive road racing. Her approach to diabetes management evolved alongside her athletic ambitions, with years spent studying exercise physiology, nutrition, and sports science to understand exactly how her body responds to training and competition.

Her most memorable moment on the roads came at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, where she was knocked to the ground by another runner at mile one, yet went on to complete the remaining 25 miles injured — finishing in a personal best of 3:09:17. She has since qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon, and is driven by a long-term dream of representing Venezuela at the Olympic Games.

Off the roads, Vita holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Texas A&M and works in oncology, helping cancer patients improve their strength and quality of life through exercise medicine. She has also trained her chocolate Labradoodle, Theo, as a diabetic alert dog. Recently engaged, she continues to advocate for athletes living with diabetes, proving every day that a chronic diagnosis need never shrink anyone’s ambitions.