Next race
Sunday, 6 December 2026
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Flat · 25 m gain
25 m climbing
Race profile
Overview
The Shanghai Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers on an urban road in Shanghai, China. The course starts at the Bund and finishes at Shanghai Stadium. The route passes the Lujiazui financial district, Nanjing Road, and the Huangpu riverfront. Mostly flat with gentle undulations on river crossings.
Shanghai Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
- Typical participants
Approximately 15k finishers
- Weather
- Course records
- Men: 2:05:35 — Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba (2023)Women: 2:16:36 — Brigid Kosgei (2025)
Course & terrain
Shanghai Marathon course
Route map and elevation profile for race-week planning.
The Shanghai Marathon is a loop starting on the Bund and finishing at Shanghai Stadium, following the Huangpu River, passing Pudong's skyline, and looping through Century Park. The course is mostly flat, with only gentle undulations on river crossings that make the bridge sections the tougher interruptions to an otherwise fast route. Spectators line the Bund at the start, cheer along Nanjing Road, and gather near the stadium finish.
Shanghai Marathon route map
The Shanghai Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 25 metres of climbing and 25 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
- Elevation
Registration
Shanghai Marathon entry requirements
Shanghai Marathon is held in late November — typically the last Sunday of the month. Entry is by lottery, one of China's most competitive, with demand from China's large and growing running community far exceeding available spots. The lottery opens in summer and closes within weeks. Some international travel packages offer guaranteed entries through official channels. The field is approximately 38,000 runners across all distances.
Getting there
Shanghai Marathon travel
Airports closest to Shanghai for flight planning and race-week travel.
- Closest airport
Shanghai (Minhang) (SHA)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
12 km / 8 mi
Race footage
Shanghai Marathon videos
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
27th Shanghai Marathon sees 38,000 participants and a new men's course record
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Shanghai Marathon elevation profile?
- The Shanghai Marathon has 25 metres of total climbing and 25 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is flat, with 0 metres of net change from start to finish.
- Where can I find the Shanghai Marathon route map?
- This page includes a Shanghai Marathon course map showing the full 42.195 km route from start to finish. Passes the Lujiazui financial district, Nanjing Road, and the Huangpu riverfront.
- How long is the Shanghai Marathon?
- The Shanghai Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. From the Bund to Shanghai Stadium.
- Is the Shanghai Marathon flat?
- Yes. The Shanghai Marathon has 25 metres of total climbing over 42.195 km (26.2 miles) — less than 55 metres of gain — which suits runners chasing personal bests or Boston qualifying times.
- What time does the Shanghai Marathon start?
- The 2026 Shanghai Marathon starts at 7:00 am local time on Sunday, 6 December 2026. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
- What is the Shanghai Marathon course route?
- The Shanghai Marathon starts on the Bund — the famous waterfront promenade of colonial-era European buildings along the Huangpu River — and heads south through the city. The course runs along Zhongshan Road beside the Huangpu, passes through the Century Park area in Pudong, and loops back north, with the futuristic Pudong skyline (Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower) visible across the river. The contrast between the early-20th-century Bund architecture and the hypermodern Pudong towers is a defining visual element of the race.
- When is the Shanghai Marathon and how do I enter?
- Shanghai Marathon is held in late November — typically the last Sunday of the month. Entry is by lottery, one of China's most competitive, with demand from China's large and growing running community far exceeding available spots. The lottery opens in summer and closes within weeks. Some international travel packages offer guaranteed entries through official channels. The field is approximately 38,000 runners across all distances.
- What are the weather conditions at the Shanghai Marathon?
- Late November in Shanghai is autumn transitioning toward winter, with race-day temperatures typically 8–16 °C (46–61 °F) — very good running conditions compared to Shanghai's brutal summer heat and humidity. However, Shanghai's air quality (AQI) can be a concern in autumn, with pollution episodes possible depending on weather patterns. Runners with respiratory sensitivities should monitor AQI forecasts closely in race week. The race organisers have implemented air quality monitoring protocols in recent years.
- What makes Shanghai Marathon China's premier road race?
- Shanghai Marathon holds World Athletics Platinum Label status — the highest designation World Athletics awards to road races, reserved for events meeting the strictest standards for elite fields, timing, anti-doping, and organisation. It is the most prestigious marathon on the Chinese mainland, attracts top Kenyan and Ethiopian elites alongside China's leading domestic athletes, and is broadcast live on major Chinese sports channels. The prize money and media attention make it the flagship event of China's rapidly expanding marathon calendar.
- What should international runners know about participating in Shanghai Marathon?
- International runners can participate, but logistics require more planning than typical Western marathons. Entry through the official lottery may require a Chinese phone number and domestic ID verification in some years; international runners are strongly advised to use official travel partners or international registration platforms. China visa requirements apply to most nationalities — check current Chinese embassy policy when planning. Once on the ground, Shanghai's metro system provides efficient access to the Bund start area, and the city's international infrastructure makes it one of the more accessible major Asian marathons for overseas runners.
Official resources
Shanghai Marathon links
Websites
Social Media
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
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Planning guides
Related guides
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Marathon Entry: Lotteries, Ballots & Open Registration
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Marathon Weather: What to Expect
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