A video of a Chinese long-distance runner finishing a marathon with blood visibly running down her legs has been resurfacing across social media and sparking conversations worldwide about menstruation, endurance sport, and stigma. The runner’s name is Li Meizhen, and while the clip feels new to many people seeing it in 2026, the moment itself actually happened back in 2024.

Here’s the full story, sorted from the viral noise.

What Actually Happened

Li Meizhen, a professional distance runner from Fujian, China, was competing in the Hengshui Lake Marathon in Hebei province on September 22, 2024. Around the 34-kilometer mark roughly 21 miles into the 42-kilometer race her period started unexpectedly. With only about 8 kilometers left to run, she made the decision to keep going rather than stop.

By the time Li Meizhen crossed the finish line, blood was clearly visible on her legs. She completed the full marathon distance in 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 7 seconds, finishing 16th in the women’s field, according to official results.

Why She Chose to Keep Running

After the race, Li Meizhen explained her reasoning on social media. She said that by the point her period started, she had already passed the 34km mark, and withdrawing would have meant she’d have to complete an entire additional marathon later to meet her season’s qualifying requirements for two championship races. Rather than sacrifice that progress, she pushed through the discomfort and cramping to finish.

She also addressed the online reaction directly, telling followers she wasn’t seriously hurt and had worried people would question her judgment for not dropping out.

Why the Video Went Viral (Twice)

The footage first circulated on Chinese social media in late 2024, where it triggered debate about menstrual stigma in sport. It resurfaced again in mid-2026, this time spreading rapidly on international platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok — two years after the original event.

As is common with older content going viral a second time, the resurgence came with misinformation attached. Some posts falsely claimed Li had died during or after the race. That claim is false Li completed the marathon safely and has continued competing since.

Li Meizhen’s Athletic Career

The viral moment is just one chapter in a genuinely accomplished running career. Li meizhen, born in January 1999, has represented China in road and track events for years, including:

• Winning the 2022 Macao International Marathon with a time of 2:40:26
• A personal best marathon time of 2:25:06
• A half-marathon personal best of 1:09:34

The Bigger Conversation

Beyond the individual story, Li’s race has become a talking point in a broader discussion about how female athletes manage menstruation during elite competition an issue that’s historically received little public attention or accommodation in endurance sports. Reactions online have largely praised her determination, while others have used the moment to push for more open conversation around period stigma, particularly in Chinese sporting culture where the topic is rarely discussed publicly.

The Bottom Line

Li Meizhen didn’t die, didn’t collapse, and didn’t do anything except finish a race she’d trained hard to run under conditions that would have stopped many competitors. The 2024 video’s return to viral status in 2026 says less about her and more about how quickly old footage can resurface online, often stripped of context and sometimes distorted with false claims along the way.

This article is based on publicly reported details of a 2024 sporting event that resurfaced in social media discussion in 2026. Reported facts and figures may be updated as new information becomes available.

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