Choosing between Lanzhou 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 | Lanzhou Marathon | Tokyo Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 23 May 2027 at 7:30 am | Sunday, 7 March 2027 at 9:10 am |
| Elevation | Mostly flat with gentle undulations - approx. 1,521m above sea level. ↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m | Very flat - approx. 44m above sea level. ↑ 60 m · ↓ 98 m · net −38 m |
| Typical weather | Warm and dry summer | Cool to mild spring |
| Typical participants | Approximately 40k finishers | Approximately 38k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Easy | Very competitive |
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.
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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