Chongqing - Legendary runner Zhang Huiji, well-known to many marathon enthusiasts, was presented with the Galloping Horse Award by the China Marathon Majors just before the 2023 Chongqing Marathon.

Zhang has won first place in the citizen group four times in the Chongqing Marathon and is a Grand Slam winner in the Wuhan, Beijing, and Guangzhou Marathons. Zhang has also completed an impressive 100-kilometer cross-country run in just three days and climbed Taishan Mountain in 7,700 steps in 70 minutes.

Zhang Huiji has won first place in the citizen group four times in the Chongqing Marathon. (Photo/Zhang Huiji)

Zhang achieved a remarkable feat by completing the 2023 Chongqing Marathon in just 3 hours and 29 minutes at the age of 56. Despite not being a professional athlete, she has consistently achieved excellent results in full marathons.

In 2003, Zhang Huiji was an ordinary instrument maintenance worker at Chongqing Iron and Steel Company. She had never tried any sports before, except for running a hundred meters in school. One day, she met a friend from the Chongqing Long-distance Running Association who suggested that she take up running for its health benefits. She also believed that she had a good physical condition and could achieve good results if she kept running.

Seeing her friend's slender figure on the runway, Zhang Huiji, who loves adventure and challenges, decided to "give it a try." So, there was a small figure on the runway of Chongqing Dadukou District Sports Stadium.

After her first long-distance run, her feet were covered in blisters. But, she didn't give up. Every morning, she got up early, washed up before 5 o'clock, and started running before 6 o'clock. She ran until 7 o'clock, changed her clothes, and went to work.

There were very few people on the sports field in the early morning, but Zhang Huiji did not feel lonely. On the contrary, she enjoyed listening to the rhythm of her footsteps in the silence, the sound of the wind in her ears, and the sweat seemed to release the pressure from her family, life, and work.

Despite the challenges, Zhang remained determined and encouraged herself by saying, "I can do what others can do." Her hard work and dedication paid off as she won first place in the citizen group four times in the Chongqing Marathon and completed a Grand Slam in Wuhan, Beijing, and Guangzhou Marathons. Zhang has also climbed Taishan Mountain in 7,700 steps in 70 minutes and completed a 100-kilometer cross-country run in just three days.

Zhang Huiji started running at the age of 36. (Photo/Zhang Huiji)

Zhang Huiji began her long-distance running journey in 2003, at the age of 36, after being encouraged by a friend from the Chongqing Long-distance Running Association. Despite not being a professional athlete, she consistently achieved excellent results in full marathons, with her latest finishing time being 3 hours and 29 minutes in the 2023 Chongqing Marathon at the age of 56.

The runner started with a 10-kilometer race in Chongqing, in which she won first place, and later won the women's group championship in the 100-kilometer cross-country race in Linyi, in east China's Shandong province, in both 2012 and 2013. She finished the 100-kilometer race in just over 11 hours, leaving Kenyan players behind.

As the 100-kilometer race takes too long and interfered with her work, she switched to running marathons and mountain climbing competitions in 2014. Since then, her marathon results have stabilized, with a consistent finishing time of around 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Zhang is also known for her unique honorary number, "88888," which she received from the Chongqing Marathon organizing committee as recognition for her outstanding achievements and spirit of the marathon

Zhang Huiji is also known for her unique honorary number, 88888, which she received from the Chongqing Marathon organizing committee. (Photo/Zhang Huiji)

In 2014, Zhang Huiji and her friend registered for the Chongqing Marathon. Originally, she wanted to participate in a half marathon, but her friend suggested she run a full marathon, saying, "Zhang, you should run a full marathon. We are setting up a citizen group reward for the first time in Chongqing." Following her friend's advice, she registered for the full marathon and finished in 3 hours and 16 minutes, which was 10 minutes faster than the second-place winner, even though she had to take a toilet break halfway.

Zhang won first place in the "Citizen Group Full Marathon," and the organizing committee awarded her a lifetime honorary number. As it was the first time, all the honorary numbers could be chosen casually. Zhang selected "88888" because it was easy to recognize, and her friends from out of town could easily spot her and run together.

From that day on, Chongqing Marathon had a lifetime honorary number, "88888," which meant that Zhang didn't need to register or draw lots for each year's marathon and could directly qualify. The organizing committee sends her a customized new number plate every year.

For Zhang, this number represents honor, and when she sees it, her heart is filled with a sense of accomplishment. Running a marathon is no longer about achieving results but enjoying the joy of the track.

Zhang believes that running makes her confident, happy, mentally young, and physically healthy. She said, "If I hadn't fallen in love with running, my life would not have been so wonderful." She hopes to influence people around her to start running and experience the benefits of this activity.

For instance, her partner, who initially disliked sports, started running in 2015 after being inspired by his wife. He quickly lost weight, going from 90 kg to 75 kg. Many friends have also taken up running due to Zhang's encouragement.

Since retiring, Zhang has had more time to participate in competitions throughout the country. She only goes to those that suit her, and if she cannot get a ranking, she considers it a tour.

Although the age limit for international marathons is 65, Zhang believes that as long as her body allows it, she will continue to run. Many of her friends around her are over 70, and in front running, everyone is the same age. She said, "I will run until the day I can't run anymore."

When someone asks her when is the best time to start running, her answer is the same as the one she received from a friend 20 years ago, "Right now! It's never too late to start running!"