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Gaochun Marathon

November 8, 2026 · 7:30 AMGaochun District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

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Race snapshot

Race Day

55°F

48–68°F · Feels cool

Total elevation gain

197ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft

Participants

2,000

Medium-sized race

Crowd Rating

3/ 10

Moderate spectator support

The Lowdown

Gaochun Marathon is the Gaochun International Cittaslow Marathon, held in Gaochun District, Nanjing, since 2015. It holds the Chinese Athletics Association Gold Label and is known as the "Crab Marathon" for its tie to the Gucheng Lake crab season. The 2026 edition is on 8 November with a 7:30 start, a marathon and a half marathon, and a field cap of 12,000 (2,000 in the marathon, 10,000 in the half). Entry is by lottery: pre-registration ran from 9 to 21 September, winners were announced on 27 September and had until 3 October to pay, and a second draw for the waiting list was scheduled for 5 October. The marathon fee is CNY 160. Gaochun Rural Commercial Bank is the title sponsor of the 2026 edition.

Sep 8, 2026: Registration for the 2026 edition opens on 9 September at 9:00
The organizer announced that pre-registration opens on 9 September for a 12,000-runner field of 2,000 marathon and 10,000 half marathon places.
Sep 11, 2026: Half marathon entry route through the Digital Heart 10KM challenge
Runners who complete the Digital Heart 10KM challenge can earn a qualification to enter the half marathon.

Entry Methods: Pre-registration from 9 to 21 September 2026, followed by a lottery draw.
Lottery winners pick a bib number and pay, with bib numbers given first come, first served.
Winners who do not pay by the deadline forfeit their place to the waiting list.
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Full refund until 18 October 2026, requested with the exit registration button on the registration page.
No refund requests are accepted after 18 October 2026.
Waiting-list entrants who do not get a place are refunded within 7 working days after registration work ends.

Questions about the Gaochun Marathon 2026

When is the Gaochun Marathon 2026?

Sunday, November 8, 2026.

What time does the Gaochun Marathon start?

The race starts at 7:30 AM, local time.

How do I enter the Gaochun Marathon 2026?

Registration is closed. Oct 5, 2026: Second draw for the waiting list. Oct 3, 2026: Payment deadline for lottery winners. Sep 27, 2026: Lottery results announced. Ways in: Pre-registration from 9 to 21 September 2026, followed by a lottery draw; Lottery winners pick a bib number and pay, with bib numbers given first come, first served; Winners who do not pay by the deadline forfeit their place to the waiting list.

What is the Gaochun Marathon course like?

60 m of total elevation gain.

What is the weather like at the Gaochun Marathon?

Race-day temperatures are usually 9–20 °C (48–68 °F).

Is the Gaochun Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, cool weather Difficulty Analyzer197ft gain, 55°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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