Group 1 - The controversy surrounding Zhang Shuihua, the "fastest female nurse," arose after her comments seeking support post-Harbin Marathon, where she was previously a signed athlete for the local sports brand 361° [1][4] - Zhang Shuihua achieved a time of 2 hours 35 minutes and 30 seconds, securing the domestic women's championship, but did not receive the rumored $80,000 bonus due to the absence of a domestic special award at the event [2][6] - The 2025 Harbin Marathon has been upgraded to a World Athletics Gold Label event, attracting top global runners and significantly increasing the prize pool, with the full marathon champion's prize reaching $80,000 (approximately 560,000 RMB) [2][4] Group 2 - The partnership between 361° and Zhang Shuihua has been paused, with her social media reflecting the termination of their contract [1][4] - The incentive mechanism for marathon runners by 361° includes a maximum bonus of 1 million RMB for achieving specific performance standards, with updated criteria effective from January 2025 [4][5] - The running market in China is expanding, with 671 road running events held nationwide, attracting approximately 6.56 million participants, indicating a growing interest in marathon events [7] Group 3 - The competitive landscape among sports brands is intensifying, with brands increasingly sponsoring runners to enhance visibility and sales, particularly in the marathon segment [7] - 361° reported a significant increase in sales of its running shoe products, with a 59% year-on-year growth during the last Double Eleven shopping festival, attributed to the brand's investment in marathon events [7]

Core Insights - The demand for marathon pacers has surged due to the increasing popularity of marathon events, with runners seeking specialized services to enhance their performance and ensure completion of races [1][2][4] Group 1: Market Overview - In 2024, a total of 749 road running events are scheduled in China, with an estimated participation of 7.0486 million people, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1 million participants [2] - Marathon pacers offer two types of services: basic pacing and personalized pacing, with earnings ranging from 500 to 1,500 yuan for half marathons and starting at 1,500 yuan for full marathons [2][3] - Personalized pacing services can yield up to 6,000 yuan per event, including pre-race training plans and real-time adjustments during the race [2][3] Group 2: Professional Standards and Controversies - The lack of a standardized certification system for marathon pacers has raised concerns about fairness and competition integrity in races [1][4][6] - Some runners believe that pacers significantly enhance their performance, while others feel that their presence does not impact the overall race experience [5][6] - The emergence of a "professional runner certification system" in China requires pacers to meet specific athletic standards and complete courses in sports physiology [9] Group 3: Industry Evolution - The role of marathon pacers is evolving from a hobbyist activity to a professional career, providing both technical and emotional support to runners [8] - There is a growing recognition of the need for standardized qualifications and regulations for marathon pacers to ensure they can deliver comprehensive and professional services [9]