Shanghai Marathon
The Lowdown
The Shanghai International Marathon is China's most prestigious road race and a World Athletics Platinum Label event, first held in 1996. The point-to-point course starts at the Bund Bull on the historic Bund waterfront and winds past the Huangpu River, Nanjing Road, the French Concession and other downtown landmarks before finishing near Shanghai Stadium. Entry is allocated by a public lottery (ballot) because demand far exceeds capacity; the 2026 edition marks the 30th running and expands the full marathon field to 30,000 runners. Wheelchair athletes start at 6:45 a.m. and the marathon goes off in waves from 7:00 a.m.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
World-class event
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Legendary crowd support
The Bund
Bund Bull statue
Huangpu River
Nanjing Road
Shanghai Stadium
Shanghai, China
CN
Eligibility
- Selected through the public lottery
- Meet event age and health requirements per official rules
Required Documents
- Government-issued photo ID / passport for international runners
- Health certificate per official event rules
Entry Methods
- Public lottery (ballot) via official website www.shang-ma.com or the Shanghai Marathon app
- International tour-operator guaranteed-entry packages
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Refer to the official Shanghai Marathon rules; lottery entries are generally non-transferable and non-refundable once confirmed.
World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race.
First held in 1996; 2026 is the 30th edition.
Field expanded from 23,000 to 30,000 for the marathon in 2026.
A separate Mini Marathon (approx. 15,000 places) debuts December 5, 2026.
English inquiries: foreigner@shmarathon.com.
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