Choosing between Beijing Marathon and Zhengzhou Marathon? This page puts the essentials side by side — next race date, elevation, typical weather, field size, and entry difficulty — with a short overview of each course below.
The headline differences between both races. Follow each marathon link for the full route map, elevation chart, and entry details.
| Detail | Beijing Marathon | Zhengzhou Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 7:30 am | Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 7:00 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 49m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m | Very flat - approx. 104m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m |
| Typical weather | Cool to mild autumn | Mild autumn |
| Typical participants | Approximately 30k finishers | Approximately 36k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Very competitive | Competitive |
The Beijing Marathon is China's most prestigious road race, with approximately 30k finishers each October on a course linking the capital's iconic boulevards. Runners pass Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the Olympic Park on a flat route designed for fast times. The October race date and deep elite history make it the crown jewel of Chinese marathon running.
The Zhengzhou Marathon attracts approximately 36k finishers each October through Henan province's transport hub on the Yellow River. The course links the Zhengdong New Area CBD towers, Erqi Memorial Tower, and the Songshan foothills approach on wide Henan boulevards. October's mild central-China weather and a largely flat profile make it one of the country's fastest major mass-participation marathons.
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