Marathons in China 2026: Routes, Dates & Elevation Profiles

China is home to 54 marathons in our database, spread across cities including Beijing, Changchun, Chengdu, and Chongqing, and more.

Lanzhou Marathon is the largest race in the lineup, typically drawing around 40,000 finishers, while the full spread offers everything from fast urban courses to scenic regional events.

Below are the largest races in the country; browse by region for the full list.

Browse the races below for course maps, elevation profiles, typical weather, and practical race-day detail to help you choose your next start line.

BeijingBeijingChina

Beijing Marathon

The Beijing Marathon is China's most prestigious road race, with approximately 30k finishers each October on a course linking the capital's iconic boulevards. Runners pass Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the Olympic Park on a flat route designed for fast times. The October race date and deep elite history make it the crown jewel of Chinese marathon running.

Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026

ChangchunJilinChina

Changchun Marathon

The Changchun Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers each May on an urban road in Changchun, China. Wide streets and a cool-climate spring slot give it a distinctly northern-China feel. The course passes broad northeastern boulevards, parks, and the former auto-capital districts. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

ChengduSichuanChina

Chengdu Marathon

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.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

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

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

FuzhouFujianChina

Fuzhou Marathon

The Fuzhou Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers each December on a riverside urban road in Fuzhou, China. Its low-profile, flat course makes it a strong winter option in southeast China. The route passes the Min River, hot-spring city boulevards, and modern riverfront development zones. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

GuangzhouGuangdongChina

Guangzhou Marathon

The Guangzhou Marathon attracts approximately 20k finishers each December through the Pearl River Delta's largest city. The course passes the Canton Tower, Zhujiang New Town CBD, and the Pearl River (Zhujiang) waterfront on wide subtropical boulevards. December's mild Guangdong winter and flat terrain make it a popular year-end race in south China.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

HarbinHeilongjiangChina

Harbin Marathon

The Harbin Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers each August on a riverside urban road in Harbin, China. Summer racing in Harbin is milder than in many Chinese cities because of its far-northern latitude. The course passes Songhua River sections, Stalin Park, and Russian-influenced city architecture. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 1 August 2027

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

Hong KongHong KongChina

Hong Kong Marathon

The Hong Kong Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers on an urban road in Hong Kong, China. The course starts and finishes in Tsim Sha Tsui. The route crosses Victoria Harbour via the Western Harbour Crossing or similar tunnel/bridge connections and passes Nathan Road, Hong Kong Island, and the waterfront. Mostly flat with climbs on harbour crossings.

Next race: Sunday, 17 January 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

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

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

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

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

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

ShenzhenGuangdongChina

Shenzhen Marathon

The Shenzhen Marathon is a World Athletics–listed mega-field city race drawing approximately 30k runners each early December through China's southern tech hub. The point-to-point course starts at the Civic Center in Futian, runs west along Shennan Avenue and the Shenzhen Bay waterfront, loops through Qianhai, and finishes at Haibin Square in Bao'an. Mild Guangdong winter weather and a largely flat urban-coastal profile make it a popular year-end destination race.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

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

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

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

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

Xi'anShaanxiChina

Xi'an Marathon

The Xi'an Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 18k finishers each October on a historic urban road in Xi'an, China. It is one of the clearest examples of a Chinese marathon weaving imperial history into a modern mass race. The course passes the ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda district, and modern Qujiang avenues. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026

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

ZhengzhouHenanChina

Zhengzhou Marathon

The Zhengzhou Marathon attracts approximately 25k finishers each October through Henan province's transport hub on the Yellow River. The course links the Zhengdong New Area CBD towers, Erqi Memorial Tower, and the Songshan foothills approach on wide Henan boulevards. October's mild central-China weather and a largely flat profile make it one of the country's fastest major mass-participation marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026