Choosing between Dalian Marathon and Lanzhou 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 | Dalian Marathon | Lanzhou Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 9 May 2027 at 7:30 am | Sunday, 23 May 2027 at 7:30 am |
| Elevation | Mostly flat with gentle undulations - approx. 33m above sea level. ↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m | Mostly flat with gentle undulations - approx. 1,521m above sea level. ↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m |
| Typical weather | Mild spring | Warm and dry summer |
| Typical participants | Approximately 30k finishers | Approximately 40k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Easy | Easy |
The Dalian Marathon brings approximately 30k finishers each May to the Liaodong Peninsula's most cosmopolitan port. The coastal loop passes Xinghai Square — one of Asia's largest city squares — the Dalian waterfront, and forested coastal roads with Yellow Sea views. May's mild Liaoning spring and fresh sea breezes make it one of northeast China's most popular marathons.
The Lanzhou Marathon is one of China's largest road races, drawing approximately 40k finishers along the Yellow River through Gansu's highland capital. Runners follow the riverside promenade past the Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Mountain, and the iron bridge that symbolises Lanzhou's Silk Road heritage. The June race date and roughly 1,500 m elevation make it a distinctive western-China marathon where thin air and Yellow River views define the experience.
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