In the 2024 Tsinghua University Campus Marathon, doctoral student Zhang Rong, from the 2018 cohort, performed remarkably, achieving fourth place in the women’s half marathon category with a time of 1 hour, 44 minutes, and 22 seconds. Among current students, she ranked first in the women’s category, simultaneously setting a new personal best (previously PB 1:48:22). It’s truly exceptional for a non-athlete, burdened with heavy research pressures, to achieve such results.

Zhang Rong expressed, “Marathons rely on strong perseverance, unwavering belief, and the relentless pursuit of challenging and surpassing one’s own physical limits. During my time at Tsinghua, the university’s spirit of sportsmanship flowed through my veins. Competing alongside outstanding individuals brings immense happiness and enjoyment. Continuous self-improvement and moral integrity are essential. I hope every student can develop a passion for sports and experience the allure of competitive athletics. Balancing research and personal development, maintaining such resilience, and embracing more challenges are key to growth.”