Chinese marathon runner Li Meizhen has been praised worldwide after completing a marathon despite unexpectedly starting her menstrual period during the race, inspiring conversations about resilience, women’s health and breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation.
Li Meizhen was competing in the 2024 Hengshui Lake Marathon in China when she unexpectedly got her period with several kilometres of the 42-kilometre race still to go. Rather than withdraw, she pressed on and crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 2 hours, 35 minutes.
Images and videos from the race, showing blood visible on her legs, quickly spread across social media. Many people applauded her determination, describing her performance as a powerful reminder of the challenges female athletes can face while competing at the highest level.
Speaking after the race, Li said she chose to continue because she had already covered most of the distance and did not want to abandon the event. She also thanked supporters for their encouragement and reassured them that she was fine.
The story has reignited discussions about menstrual health in sports, with athletes and health advocates calling for greater awareness and an end to the stigma surrounding periods in competitive athletics.
