Choosing between Chengdu Marathon and Tokyo 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 | Chengdu Marathon | Tokyo Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 7:30 am | Sunday, 7 March 2027 at 9:10 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 499m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m | Very flat - approx. 44m above sea level. ↑ 60 m · ↓ 98 m · net −38 m |
| Typical weather | Mild and humid autumn | Cool to mild spring |
| Typical participants | Approximately 35k finishers | Approximately 38k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Competitive | Very competitive |
The Chengdu Marathon draws approximately 35k runners each autumn through Sichuan's relaxed capital, famous for pandas, hot pot, and teahouse culture. The course passes Tianfu Square, the Jinjiang River, and the Anshun Bridge with views toward the Qionglai mountains on clear days. October race weather in the Sichuan Basin is mild and overcast — ideal for a flat, fast urban loop.
The Tokyo Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, drawing over 38,000 runners through the heart of Japan's capital. The course showcases iconic landmarks including the Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, and Ginza district before finishing near Tokyo Station. Known for exceptional organisation and enthusiastic crowd support, it is a bucket-list race for international runners.
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