On the evening of January 2, 2026, high-profile Chinese female marathoner and "the fastest nurse" Zhang Shuihua posted a long statement on her personal social platform, officially announcing her resignation from her position at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University.

This news quickly sparked heated discussion within the running community. From the Harbin Marathon's "rescheduling controversy" to her ice-and-snow victory in Dongji Fuyuan over the New Year, Zhang Shuihua has been at the center of public debate over the past six months. Tonight, with a resignation letter, she has brought this struggle-and-glory "double life" to a close, while also opening a new chapter of pursuing her dreams full-time.

Zhang Shuihua's decision did not come out of nowhere. Just yesterday — January 1, 2026 — she won the women's title at the New Year Ice Marathon held in Fuyuan, at the country's easternmost point, and broke the race record.

In that brutally cold battle through ice and snow, Zhang Shuihua showed remarkable resilience. After the race, she left a meaningful remark on the podium: “Whatever choices I make in the future, I hope I can be as brave as I was today.” In tonight's statement, she mentioned that race again:

"Leaving doesn't mean the end, but a new beginning. Like this icy marathon — after weathering the wind and frost, the moment I crossed the line all the tiredness turned into new strength, and a sun of my own rose in my heart."

This passage is regarded as a true portrayal of her inner journey. For 34-year-old Zhang Shuihua, running in such extreme cold may well have been the pivotal moment that pushed her to "break the ice".

Looking back, Zhang Shuihua's path as a runner has not been smooth. As a senior nurse in the Department of General Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, she was once seen as an inspirational example within the system. She used her spare time to train hard, racking up mileage and doing interval sessions, and at the 2025 Harbin Marathon she ran a PB of 2:35:27, claimed the domestic women's title, and stunned everyone.

However, it was that post-race interview that plunged her into unprecedented controversy. A tearful plea of "I hope the leadership will support giving me time off" pushed her from the podium into the eye of a public storm. Supporters praised her for fighting for her dream, while critics — including some fellow medical professionals — argued she put personal hobbies above professional responsibilities, increasing the scheduling burden on colleagues.

In the months that followed, the situation intensified. In December 2025, the hospital issued a notice and gave her a warning for "illegally taking paid part-time work" and "taking time off on false grounds." At the same time, the contract dispute with sponsor 361° also cast a shadow over her commercial value.

In the tug-of-war between being a nurse and an elite runner, Zhang Shuihua clearly felt deeply torn. Hospital work not only requires rotating three shifts but allows no room for distraction; while maintaining a competitive marathon level under 2:33 (2 hours 33 minutes) requires systematic training, recovery, and frequent out-of-town races. The clash between the two in terms of time and energy ultimately became irreconcilable.

In tonight's farewell letter, Zhang Shuihua showed a sense of acceptance and gratitude. She did not mention those sharp controversies, but chose to express thanks: "I am especially grateful to the hospital for its mentorship, to the leaders for their trust, and to my colleagues for their tolerance and support."

This is a dignified farewell. After all, before becoming a dedicated runner, she had countless times watched over lives in hospital wards. Those days spent wearing a white coat, as she put it, “Whatever the reason for leaving, it has become a part of me.”

For the running community, Zhang Shuihua's resignation may be a positive signal. Freed from the burden of heavy work, she will have more time to devote to high-altitude training and scientific recovery. With her current status as one of the top talents in the amateur running scene, she is sure to launch a push at the 2:30 barrier.

Zhang Shuihua’s choice is a microcosm of the dilemma many high-level recreational runners face today. When passion gradually hits the ceiling of turning it into a profession, when the security of reality collides with the wildness of dreams, what should one do?

There is no single right answer. Some choose to stick with their jobs and keep running as a way to spice up life; Zhang Shuihua chose to go all in and chase the light that belongs to them.

We don't need to overanalyze who was right or wrong behind this resignation; we should simply respect every runner's control over their own life. As she said in her statement: "No regrets for the road taken, no fear of the new journey."

Congratulations to Zhang Shuihua — from now on you don't have to worry about shifting your days off, nor force yourself to log long runs after night shifts. On the roads ahead, may you run more purely and more freely.

May the road ahead be smooth, still warm and full of light. Zhang Shuihua, keep going!