Marathons in China

China is home to 53 marathons in our database, spread across cities including Baotou, Beijing, Changchun, and Changsha, 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. Browse the races below for course maps, elevation profiles, typical weather, and practical race-day detail to help you choose your next start line. Plan by month on our marathon calendar or filter by country and region.

Browse by state: Anhui, Beijing, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hong Kong, Hubei, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin, Yunnan, and Zhejiang.

Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China🇨🇳

Baotou Marathon

The Baotou Marathon draws approximately 8,000 finishers each June on an urban road in Baotou, China. Dry air and plateau exposure make the race feel tougher than the profile suggests. The course passes broad Inner Mongolian avenues, parks, and open industrial-city landscapes under huge skies. Thin air at altitude is the main pacing challenge despite a flat layout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027

Beijing, Beijing, China🇨🇳

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

Changchun, Jilin, China🇨🇳

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. Broad northeastern boulevards, parks, and former auto-capital districts stretch across a cool-climate spring course with wide streets and minimal climbing.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

Changsha, Hunan, China🇨🇳

Changsha Marathon

The Changsha Marathon draws approximately 12k finishers each October through Hunan province's spicy-food capital on the Xiang River. The course passes Orange Isle (Júzi Zhōu), the Yuelu Mountain foothills, and the IFS skyscraper district on a flat loop through central China. October's mild Hunan autumn and Xiang River views make it a popular central-China race.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

Chengdu, Sichuan, China🇨🇳

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

Chongqing, Chongqing, China🇨🇳

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

Chuxiong, Yunnan, China🇨🇳

Chuxiong Marathon

The Chuxiong Marathon draws approximately 6,000 finishers each October on an urban road in Chuxiong, China. Its minority-culture setting makes it feel different from eastern Chinese city marathons. The course passes Yi cultural landmarks, plateau-city roads, and avenues framed by Yunnan hills. Yi cultural landmarks and plateau-city avenues climb gently beneath Yunnan hills, giving Chuxiong a hillier feel than eastern Chinese city marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Dalian, Liaoning, China🇨🇳

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

Dongguan, Guangdong, China🇨🇳

Dongguan Marathon

The Dongguan Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each December on an urban road in Dongguan, China. Fast roads and warm winter weather make it a popular delta-season race. The route passes city parks, lakeside areas, and the broad boulevards of the Pearl River Delta manufacturing hub. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Foshan, Guangdong, China🇨🇳

Foshan Marathon

The Foshan Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each November on an urban road in Foshan, China. It showcases Foshan's martial-arts and ceramics heritage within a fast Pearl River Delta course. The course passes Lingnan-style cultural landmarks, riverside sections, and broad delta-city roads. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Fuzhou, Fujian, China🇨🇳

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

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China🇨🇳

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

Guiyang, Guizhou, China🇨🇳

Guiyang Marathon

The Guiyang Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each June on an urban road in Guiyang, China. Its elevation and hillier topography set it apart from flatter eastern Chinese marathons. The route passes karst-hill city roads, riverfront sections, and neighborhoods shaped by Guizhou's rolling terrain. Karst-backed city roads and Guizhou's hillier topography bring repeated climbs that distinguish Guiyang from flatter eastern Chinese marathon courses.

Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027

Haikou, Hainan, China🇨🇳

Haikou Marathon

The Haikou Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each January on a scenic coastal road in Haikou, China. It is one of China's most tropical full marathons and attracts winter travelers looking for warmth. The route passes palm-lined seaside roads, Haidian Island stretches, and open views over the Qiongzhou Strait. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 3 January 2027

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China🇨🇳

Hangzhou Marathon

The Hangzhou Marathon attracts approximately 12k finishers each November along the West Lake (Xihu) UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The course passes the Broken Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, and the Qiantang River with views of willow-lined shores and misty Jiangnan hills. November's golden autumn light on West Lake makes it one of China's most poetically scenic marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Harbin, Heilongjiang, China🇨🇳

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. Songhua River sections, Stalin Park, and Russian-influenced architecture line a far-northern summer course that stays mostly level beside the water.

Next race: Sunday, 2 August 2026

Hefei, Anhui, China🇨🇳

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

Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China🇨🇳

Hohhot Marathon

The Hohhot Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each May on an urban road in Hohhot, China. Altitude and dry air matter more here than hills do. The course passes Mongolian-style civic spaces, wide avenues, and open skies on the Inner Mongolian plateau. Thin air at altitude is the main pacing challenge despite a flat layout.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China🇨🇳

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

Huai'an, Jiangsu, China🇨🇳

Huai'an Marathon

The Huai'an Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each April on an urban road in Huai'an, China. Its flatness is the course's defining feature rather than headline landmarks. The route passes canal-city roads, parkland, and straight Jiangsu sections ideal for steady rhythm. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China🇨🇳

Jiaxing Marathon

The Jiaxing Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each November on a water-town urban road in Jiaxing, China. Its low elevation and flat geometry suit consistent pacing. The route passes canal areas, lake-adjacent roads, and modern streets in the Yangtze Delta water country. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Jinan, Shandong, China🇨🇳

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

Kunming, Yunnan, China🇨🇳

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

Lanzhou, Gansu, China🇨🇳

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, 6 June 2027

Linyi, Shandong, China🇨🇳

Linyi Marathon

The Linyi Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each October on an urban road in Linyi, China. Its riverfront urban planning gives the course a spacious feel. The route passes the Yi River, new riverside districts, and broad roads in one of Shandong's largest inland cities. The Yi River, new riverside districts, and broad Shandong boulevards give one of the province's largest inland cities a spacious, largely level layout.

Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Luoyang, Henan, China🇨🇳

Luoyang Marathon

The Luoyang Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each April on a historic urban road in Luoyang, China. Its spring timing overlaps with Luoyang's famous peony season. The route passes peony-city boulevards, ancient-capital districts, and river sections tied to one of China's oldest cities. Peony-city boulevards, ancient-capital districts, and river sections tied to one of China's oldest cities bloom alongside April's famous flower season on flat roads.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China🇨🇳

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

Nanning, Guangxi, China🇨🇳

Nanning Marathon

The Nanning Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each December on an urban road in Nanning, China. Winter timing lets the race use southern China's warmth as an advantage instead of a heat penalty. The course passes the Yong River, subtropical greenery, and wide roads through the Guangxi capital. The Yong River, subtropical greenery, and wide Guangxi capital roads make December's southern warmth an advantage on this mostly flat winter course.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Ningbo, Zhejiang, China🇨🇳

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

Qingdao, Shandong, China🇨🇳

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

Sanya, Hainan, China🇨🇳

Sanya International Marathon

The Sanya International Marathon brings approximately 12k runners each February to Hainan Island's tropical beach capital. The course follows the Sanya Bay and Dadonghai coastline with coconut palms, South China Sea views, and warm winter sunshine. February temperatures in the mid-20s °C make it China's premier tropical winter marathon destination.

Next race: Sunday, 28 February 2027

Shanghai, Shanghai, China🇨🇳

Shanghai Marathon

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.

Next race: Sunday, 29 November 2026

Shenyang, Liaoning, China🇨🇳

Shenyang Marathon

The Shenyang Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers each September on an urban road in Shenyang, China. The race brings major-marathon scale to a city better known for Qing history and heavy industry. The course passes imperial-city avenues, parks, and modern northeast-China boulevards. Imperial-city avenues, parks, and modern northeast-China boulevards carry major-marathon scale through Qing-history streets with only light rises between districts.

Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026

Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China🇨🇳

Shijiazhuang Marathon

The Shijiazhuang Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each April on an urban road in Shijiazhuang, China. Its straightforward flat layout gives runners few terrain surprises. The route passes broad Hebei boulevards, civic plazas, and city parks built on the North China Plain. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

Suzhou, Jiangsu, China🇨🇳

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

Taiyuan, Shanxi, China🇨🇳

Taiyuan Marathon

The Taiyuan Marathon draws approximately 25k finishers each September through Shanxi province's capital in the Fen River valley. The course passes the Twin Towers (Yongzuo Temple), Fen River parklands, and the Jinci Temple approach on wide northern-China boulevards. September's crisp Shanxi autumn and flat terrain attract runners from across north China.

Next race: Sunday, 20 September 2026

Tangshan, Hebei, China🇨🇳

Tangshan Marathon

The Tangshan Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each October on an urban road in Tangshan, China. The race is part of Tangshan's long civic rebuilding story after the 1976 earthquake. The course passes new-city boulevards, memorial spaces, and industrial-era redevelopment districts. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Tianjin, Tianjin, China🇨🇳

Tianjin Marathon

The Tianjin Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each October on an urban road in Tianjin, China. Its flat profile and dense urban scenery make it one of north China's better big-city marathon courses. The route passes the Hai River, European-style concession architecture, and modern business districts. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Weifang, Shandong, China🇨🇳

Weifang Marathon

The Weifang Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each May on an urban road in Weifang, China. Weifang's identity as China's kite capital gives the race a distinctive local brand. The course passes kite-city landmarks, parks, and flat roads on the Shandong plain. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China🇨🇳

Wenzhou Marathon

The Wenzhou Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each December on an urban road in Wenzhou, China. Its combination of river scenery and warm winter timing suits southeast-coast marathoners. The route passes the Ou River, modern financial districts, and bridges linking the city's river islands. The Ou River, modern financial districts, and bridges linking river islands define a warm December southeast-coast course with only minor grade changes.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Wuhan, Hubei, China🇨🇳

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

Wuhu, Anhui, China🇨🇳

Wuhu Marathon

The Wuhu Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each March on a riverside urban road in Wuhu, China. The wide river setting gives the course a more open visual feel than many inland city events. The course passes the Yangtze riverside, lakeside parks, and university-area roads in southern Anhui. The Yangtze riverside, lakeside parks, and university-area roads in southern Anhui give March's race a wide, open feel with only subtle grade changes.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

Wuxi, Jiangsu, China🇨🇳

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'an, Shaanxi, China🇨🇳

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. The ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda district, and modern Qujiang avenues unfold on a fast imperial-history course with only minor elevation changes.

Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Xiamen, Fujian, China🇨🇳

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

Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China🇨🇳

Xuzhou Marathon

The Xuzhou Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each April on an urban road in Xuzhou, China. It pairs a fast course with a city better known for deep history than for marathon tourism. The course passes Yunlong Lake approaches, Han-dynasty historical areas, and broad Jiangsu boulevards. Yunlong Lake approaches, Han-dynasty historical areas, and broad Jiangsu boulevards pair a fast April course with a city better known for deep history.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China🇨🇳

Yangzhou Marathon

The Yangzhou Marathon draws approximately 8,000 finishers each March on a historic urban road in Yangzhou, China. Yangzhou is better known globally for its famous half marathon, which makes the full marathon a more niche discovery. The route passes Slender West Lake approaches, canal-city roads, and low-elevation boulevards. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

Yantai, Shandong, China🇨🇳

Yantai Marathon

The Yantai Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each October on a scenic coastal road in Yantai, China. Ocean scenery gives it a more open feel than many inland Chinese marathons. The route passes Yellow Sea shoreline sections, seaside parks, and harbor districts along the Shandong coast. Yellow Sea shoreline sections, seaside parks, and harbor districts along the Shandong coast keep the ocean in view on an open, largely flat October route.

Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Yinchuan, Ningxia, China🇨🇳

Yinchuan Marathon

The Yinchuan Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each May on an urban and riverside road in Yinchuan, China. Dry air and altitude define the race more than elevation changes do. The route passes canals, Helan Mountain views, and wide roads across the Ningxia plain. Thin air at altitude is the main pacing challenge despite a flat layout.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

Zaozhuang, Shandong, China🇨🇳

Zaozhuang Marathon

The Zaozhuang Marathon draws approximately 8,000 finishers each April on an urban road in Zaozhuang, China. It sits below the national headline races but still draws a substantial regional field. The route passes canal-city roads, civic parks, and open boulevard sections in southern Shandong. Canal-city roads, civic parks, and open boulevard sections in southern Shandong carry a substantial regional April field across a mostly level urban loop.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

Zhangzhou, Fujian, China🇨🇳

Zhangzhou Marathon

The Zhangzhou Marathon draws approximately 8,000 finishers each December on an urban road in Zhangzhou, China. It benefits from south Fujian's reliably gentle winter weather. The course passes Fujian riverfront sections, temple-city streets, and newer development boulevards. Fujian riverfront sections, temple-city streets, and newer development boulevards benefit from south Fujian's gentle December weather on a largely flat course.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Zhengzhou, Henan, China🇨🇳

Zhengzhou Marathon

The Zhengzhou Marathon attracts approximately 36k 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

Zhuhai, Guangdong, China🇨🇳

Zhuhai Marathon

The Zhuhai Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers each December on a scenic coastal road in Zhuhai, China. The long oceanfront mileage makes it one of China's most scenic coastal road marathons. The course passes the Lovers' Road seafront, island views, and sleek coastal skyline sections facing Macau. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026