Open Registration Marathons

Open-registration marathons let you sign up directly — no ballot draw, no qualifying time, and no charity minimum for a standard entry. These are the races where planning a first marathon or a spontaneous race trip is genuinely straightforward. Browse every race in the marathon database.

We list 199 marathons with easy entry and open registration. Established events like Lanzhou Marathon headline the list.

For oversubscribed races that use a draw instead, see our lottery & ballot marathons hub — or read marathon entry lotteries and ballots.

LanzhouGansuChina

Lanzhou Marathon

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.

Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027

DalianLiaoningChina

Dalian Marathon

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.

Next race: Sunday, 9 May 2027

LagosNigeria

Lagos City Marathon

The Lagos City Marathon is West Africa's largest marathon, drawing approximately 30k starters each February through Nigeria's commercial capital. The out-and-back course links the National Theatre, Victoria Island, and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge with views across Lagos Lagoon. February's dry-season heat and flat terrain make it a bold early-year challenge in one of Africa's most energetic cities.

Next race: Saturday, 13 February 2027

DaeguDaeguSouth Korea

Daegu Marathon

The Daegu Marathon attracts approximately 28k finishers each April through South Korea's third-largest city in the humid southeast. The course passes the Suseongmot Lake, Daegu Stadium, and the Geumho River parklands on a flat loop through the textile capital of Korea. April cherry-blossom season and mild temperatures make it one of the country's largest spring marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

ChongqingChongqingChina

Chongqing Marathon

The Chongqing Marathon draws approximately 25k runners each March through China's mountain megacity where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet. The course crosses river bridges, passes the Chaotianmen confluence, and climbs the city's famous terraced hillsides with skyline views of the '8D magic city.' March mist, humid river air, and rolling bridge-and-tunnel terrain make it one of China's most visually dramatic urban marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

QingdaoShandongChina

Qingdao Marathon

The Qingdao Marathon attracts approximately 25k finishers each April along the Yellow Sea coast of Shandong's beer-city port. The course passes the May Fourth Square, the Zhanqiao pier, and the Olympic sailing centre with views of the red-roofed colonial architecture that defines Qingdao's waterfront. April sea breezes and a flat coastal loop make it one of northern China's most scenic spring marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027

Los AngelesCaliforniaUnited States

Los Angeles Marathon

The Los Angeles Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 23k finishers on an urban road in Los Angeles, United States. The course starts at Dodger Stadium and finishes at the Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Net downhill overall, though with rolling sections through Hollywood.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

XiamenFujianChina

Xiamen International Marathon

The Xiamen International Marathon is one of China's premier road races, drawing approximately 23k finishers along a coastal loop that highlights the city's subtropical waterfront and modern skyline. Runners cross the Xiamen Bridge with views toward Gulangyu Island and follow the ring road past convention centres and beach promenades. The January race date and mild Fujian winter weather make it a popular destination for domestic and international runners chasing fast times on a largely flat course.

Next race: Sunday, 3 January 2027

AmsterdamNorth HollandNetherlands

Amsterdam Marathon

The Amsterdam Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 22k finishers on an urban road in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The course starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium. The route passes the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, the Amstel river, and several canal bridges through central Amsterdam. Very flat, with short climbs on canal crossings.

Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026

WuhanHubeiChina

Wuhan Marathon

The Wuhan Marathon brings approximately 22k runners each April to the Yangtze River metropolis that links central China. The course crosses the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, passes the Yellow Crane Tower, and follows the East Lake scenic area on a tour of the city's three historic towns. April cherry blossoms along the Yangtze make it one of central China's most celebrated spring marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 11 April 2027

JinanShandongChina

Jinan Marathon

The Jinan Marathon attracts approximately 20k finishers each April through the 'City of Springs' in Shandong province. The course passes Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, and the Thousand Buddha Mountain foothills on a flat loop through the provincial capital. April's mild Shandong spring and the famous spring-water culture give the race a distinctive northern-China character.

Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027

NanjingJiangsuChina

Nanjing Marathon

The Nanjing Marathon draws approximately 20k finishers each November through the ancient capital on the Yangtze River. The course passes the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum approach, Xuanwu Lake, the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, and the Confucius Temple district. November's cool Jiangnan autumn and flat terrain showcase Nanjing's blend of imperial history and modern development.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

SeoulSeoulSouth Korea

Seoul International Marathon

The Seoul International Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 20k finishers on an urban road in Seoul, South Korea. The course starts and finishes at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The route passes City Hall, the Han River, Gangnam, and Jamsil. Mostly flat with gentle rises on Han River bridge crossings.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

SuzhouJiangsuChina

Suzhou Marathon

The Suzhou Marathon brings approximately 20k runners each March through the classical garden city of Jiangsu. The course passes Jinji Lake, the Suzhou Industrial Park CBD, and the ancient canal district with views of the iconic Suzhou Museum and Tiger Hill. March's mild Jiangnan spring and flat terrain make it a popular race in one of China's most beautiful cities.

Next race: Sunday, 21 March 2027

NagoyaAichiJapan

Nagoya Women's Marathon

The Nagoya Women's Marathon is the world's largest women-only marathon, with nearly 20,000 female finishers each March. Every finisher receives a Tiffany & Co. pendant at the finish — a tradition that has made Nagoya a bucket-list race for women worldwide. The flat urban course runs through central Nagoya past Nagoya Castle and the Sakae district, and the race weekend atmosphere centres entirely on celebrating women's running.

Next race: Sunday, 14 March 2027

TaiyuanShanxiChina

Taiyuan Marathon

The Taiyuan Marathon draws approximately 18k marathon finishers each September through Shanxi province's capital in the Fen River valley. The course starts at May 1 Square (Wuyi Square) and finishes at the Jinyang Lake expo south gate, passing Yingze Street, Yingze Bridge, and Binhe West Road on wide northern-China boulevards. September's crisp Shanxi autumn and flat terrain attract runners from across north China.

Next race: Sunday, 19 September 2027

WuxiJiangsuChina

Wuxi Marathon

The Wuxi Marathon draws approximately 18k finishers each March along Taihu Lake (Lake Tai) — China's third-largest freshwater lake. The course follows the lakeside embankment past Lingshan Grand Buddha views, the Wuxi CBD, and the scenic Meiliang Lake causeway. March cherry blossoms and Taihu's open water horizons make it one of the Yangtze Delta's most scenic spring marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 28 March 2027

HiratsukaKanagawaJapan

Shonan International Marathon

The Shonan International Marathon attracts around 16,000 runners each December along the Sagami Bay coast between Hiratsuka and Kamakura. The course offers Pacific Ocean views, Enoshima Island vistas, and the relaxed beach-town atmosphere of the Shōnan region south of Tokyo. December's cool coastal weather and rolling seaside terrain make it a favourite winter marathon for Kanto-area runners.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

BusanBusanSouth Korea

Busan Marathon

The Busan Marathon draws approximately 15k finishers each January through South Korea's second-largest city and premier port. The course passes Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Bridge, and the Busan Cinema Centre on a coastal loop along the East Sea. January's crisp Korean winter and sea-breeze scenery make it the country's largest winter marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 10 January 2027

FrankfurtHesseGermany

Frankfurt Marathon

The Frankfurt Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers on an urban road in Frankfurt, Germany. Runners start on Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage (waves from 10:00, must start by 10:30) and finish inside the Festhalle (east gate). The route passes the Römer, the Main river embankment, Sachsenhausen, and the banking district. Very flat with only minor rises on Main river bridges.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

HefeiAnhuiChina

Hefei Marathon

The Hefei Marathon attracts approximately 15k finishers each November through Anhui province's capital on the shores of Chao Lake. The course passes Swan Lake CBD, the Baohe River, and the Anhui Museum district on wide central-China boulevards. November's crisp Anhui autumn and flat terrain make it the province's flagship road race.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

KunmingYunnanChina

Kunming Marathon

The Kunming Marathon attracts approximately 15k finishers each December in Yunnan's 'Spring City' at roughly 1,900 m altitude. The course passes Dianchi Lake, the Western Hills, and the Green Lake Park district on a sunny plateau loop. December's mild highland winter — when northern China is freezing — makes Kunming one of China's most pleasant year-end marathons despite the altitude.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

NingboZhejiangChina

Ningbo Marathon

The Ningbo Marathon draws approximately 15k runners each March through Zhejiang's ancient port city on the East China Sea. The course passes Tianyi Pavilion — China's oldest private library — the Old Bund waterfront, and the Hangzhou Bay bridge approach area on a flat coastal loop. March's mild Zhejiang spring showcases Ningbo's maritime trading heritage.

Next race: Sunday, 28 March 2027

World Marathon Major

Cape TownWestern CapeSouth Africa

Cape Town Marathon

The Cape Town Marathon is Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major, joining the series in 2027 as the eighth race. The scenic course starts and finishes at DHL Stadium with views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic coastline. With rolling terrain and around 205 metres of total climbing, it is the only AIMS Gold Label marathon on the continent and a landmark race for runners worldwide.

Next race: Sunday, 30 May 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

Which marathons have open registration?: Open-registration marathons accept entries on a first-come basis without a lottery or qualifying time, until the field fills. This hub lists races marked easy entry with open registration in the Marathon Focus database.
Do World Marathon Majors have open registration?: Most World Marathon Majors use lotteries, qualifying standards, or tour-operator allocations rather than simple open entry. Sydney and Cape Town may offer tiered registration windows — check each major's page for current entry methods.
When should I register for an open-entry marathon?: Popular open-registration races can sell out weeks or months ahead. Once you pick a target month, register early and confirm travel, accommodation, and training block alignment before non-refundable bookings.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.