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Shenzhen Marathon

December 6, 2026 · 7:30 AMShenzhen, Guangdong, China

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Race snapshot

Race Day

64°F

57–73°F · Feels mild

Total elevation gain

230ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft

Participants

30K

World-class event

Crowd Rating

8/ 10

Excellent spectator turnout

Entry

Opening Soon

Domestic Entry (Marathon)

CN¥180

Standard lottery entry for Chinese nationals (mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan). Entry determined by lottery when applications exceed quota. Approximate figure based on comparable CN Gold Label marathons; 2026 exact fee TBC.

Official Website

Key Dates

1. Registration Opens (typical)
  Sep 1, 2026
  Registration typically opens in September–October for approximately one week via shenzhenmarathon.org.cn or the MARAMARA app. Exact 2026 dates TBC.
2. Lottery Results (typical)
  Oct 15, 2026
  Lottery results typically announced in late September to October. Payment deadline follows within approximately two weeks.
3. Race Day
  Dec 6, 2026
  Main marathon race day. Start time 07:30 at Shenzhen Civic Center, Futian District. AIMS and Finishers confirm December 6, 2026.

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The Lowdown

The Shenzhen Marathon is an annual World Athletics Gold Label road race held each December in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. Founded in 2015 and celebrating its 10th edition in 2024, the event has grown to 20,000–30,000 runners and attracts a strong international elite field. The course starts at Shenzhen Civic Center (Futian District), passes through Shennan Avenue, Shahe West Road, Wanghai Road, the scenic Shenzhen Bay Park waterfront, and the Qianhai development district before finishing at Haibin Square (Bao'an District). The route showcases Shenzhen's transformation from fishing village to global tech metropolis, with long urban straightaways that favour fast times and personal bests. The race carries World Athletics Gold Label status and is an AIMS Full Member event. Elite prize money reaches US$54,000 for race winners, with a Chinese record bonus of CNY 100,000.

Course Highlights: 01Shenzhen Civic Center (市民中心) — race start, Futian District
02Lianhuashan Park (莲花山公园) — near start area
03Shennan Avenue (深南大道) — main central boulevard through the city
04Shenzhen Bay Park (深圳湾公园) — scenic coastal section
05Qianhai District (前海) — emerging finance and tech hub, western loop
06Haibin Square / Bao'an Waterfront Square — race finish
Also on this race weekend: Half marathon
Time Limit: 6 hours
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 20 years
Entry Methods: Lottery (primary method when applications exceed quota)
Online registration via shenzhenmarathon.org.cn
Registration also available through the MARAMARA (马拉马拉) app
Registration window typically open approximately one week in September–October
Eligibility: Minimum age 20 on race day
Must be in good physical condition to complete a full marathon
Prior marathon completion may be required or recommended for entry verification
Required Documents: Valid government-issued photo ID (Chinese residents: national ID; international runners: passport)
Race bib pickup confirmation / lottery success notice
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Review official cancellation and refund policy on shenzhenmarathon.org.cn before registering
Lottery entries are typically non-refundable once confirmed

01: World Athletics Gold Label Road Race (confirmed by World Athletics and AIMS)
02: AIMS Full Member event (AIMS race ID 10481)
03: Elite prize purse: US$54,000 per winner (men and women); US$20,000 event record bonus; CNY 100,000 Chinese record bonus
04: Top 8 Chinese finishers eligible for domestic prize money (1st place: CNY 50,000)
05: 2024 edition was the 10th anniversary; 2025 winner: Kemal Husen (ETH) 2:09:12 (men), Amid Fozya Jemal (ETH) 2:26:14 (women)
06: Capacity: 20,000–30,000 runners (2024: 20,000 slots; 2025: 30,000 slots)
07: Course is predominantly flat, passing through modern urban avenues and coastal parks — well-suited for fast times and PBs
08: Start and finish on opposite ends of the city (point-to-point course): Civic Center → Bao'an Waterfront
09: Start time 07:30; staggered wave starts used for crowd management

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, moderate weather Difficulty Analyzer230ft gain, 64°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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