One woman, one marathon, one goal and one natural unexpected challenge. Recently, a moment on social media went viral where blood was visibly running down a marathon runner’s thighs.
Most would think about what happened to her or if she injured herself, but in reality she got her period mid-race. But the woman didn’t stop.
Who is she?
Li Meizhen, a star Chinese runner born on 3rd January, comes from a non-sports background. She was born in Hetian Town, Longyan City, Fujian Province, and her parents ran a local restaurant and guesthouse. Her journey began when she joined her school’s sports interest group in the 5th grade where upon winning the first place in the race, Li was scouted by the Longyan City Junior Sports School. Later, Li Meizhen graduated from the Shanghai University of Sport and went on to serve as a professional athlete in the People’s Liberation Army. In the years since, Li Meizhen has won and participated in a number of marathons, carving a successful path for herself.
One Goal – Cross the finish line
In April 2024, while participating in the Hengshui Lake Marathon, Li Meizhen faced an unexpected challenge: she got her period in the middle of the race. Instead of giving up, the then-25-year-old pushed through the physical discomfort and the visible presence of menstrual blood on her thighs. While many would have withdrawn from the marathon, Li Meizhen showed remarkable resilience crossing the finish line in 2 hours and 35 minutes to achieve the qualifying standard.
Li later explained the reason behind why she didn’t stop. How something as natural yet very painful and discomforting as starting her menstruating cycle mid-race didn’t deter her. She mentioned stopping meant running another full marathon to qualify for an upcoming championship. She persevered and stayed dedicated to earning the points she needed to avoid putting her body through another demanding race.
Breaking taboos on the race course
This incident sparked a larger debate challenging societal norms around menstruation. Traditionally, Period was a very hushed topic, viewed as a taboo, making open conversations about it uncommon. Especially in sports, female athletes had to downplay or avoid acknowledging how it can affect performance. However, Li Meizhen’s story helped break barriers, encouraging more open conversations about menstruation in athletics. This story is just another reminder for every woman to never shy away and take up space no matter what challenge life throws at you.