Shifeng began distance running in 2018. He completed his first half marathon that year and his first full marathon in 2021. He joined the HCS club in 2021 and steadily improved his times through the Next Step Training program. Shifeng also served as a coach for the Next Step Training program during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He loves marathons and runs about four each year. He has been on the Baltimore Marathon pacing team since 2022. He received 2022 New Runner of the Year from HCS.