Braving -30°C! Zhang Shuihua Returns with High Appearance Fee and 10,000 RMB Prize at East Pole Marathon

On December 29, the “fastest female nurse” Zhang Shuihua is set to make her comeback at the East Pole New Year Marathon. According to insiders, she was motivated to participate in part due to a “high appearance fee” offered by the organizers.

This marks her first public appearance more than 20 days after facing disciplinary action at her hospital. Zhang, accompanied by her husband Wang Ke, traveled to Fuyuan, Heilongjiang—the easternmost point of China—to compete in the extreme cold marathon on January 1, 2026. Temperatures are expected to plunge to nearly -30°C. While the East Pole Marathon is not among China’s top-tier races, it has nonetheless drawn her attention.

According to blogger “Yang Hua Comments,” the organizers are eager to have Zhang compete, offering terms far more generous than other events. Many insiders in the running community also speculate that her appearance fee is “substantial.”

The marathon offers a 10,000 RMB prize for the winner, with only 600 participants in the full marathon. Zhang’s main rival, fourth-place finisher at the National Games Li Meizhen, will not be competing, instead serving as a “star promoter.” This means Zhang is highly likely to claim the championship and secure the prize money!