Xiamen Marathon
The Lowdown
The Xiamen Marathon is one of Asia's premier road races and the first World Athletics Platinum Label marathon of the calendar year, held every January in the coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian Province. Founded in 2003, the race draws 35,000 participants along a scenic course that hugs the island's coastline for nearly the entire 42.195 km, passing beaches, parks, and sea-view boulevards. The course starts and finishes at the Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center and traces the iconic Huan Dao Lu coastal ring road, offering views of the Taiwan Strait, Gulangyu Island, and Baicheng Beach. The route is essentially flat with minimal elevation change, making it a fast course that has hosted numerous course records by elite Ethiopians and Kenyans. Entry is allocated by public lottery (ballot), with registration typically opening in September for the following January race.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
World-class event
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center (start/finish)
Huan Dao Lu coastal ring road
Baicheng Beach
Gulangyu Island (visible offshore)
Sea Garden (Haibinpark)
Yanwu Bridge
Lujiang Avenue and Xiamen Old Town waterfront
Xiamen, Fujian, China
CN
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 18 years on race day
- Must have completed a marathon or half marathon within the past 2 years (self-declared)
Required Documents
- Government-issued photo ID or passport
- Race bib (collected at pre-race expo)
Entry Methods
- Public ballot (lottery) via official website www.xmim.org
- Public ballot via WeChat mini-program (文广体育)
- Specially invited elite athletes (complimentary entry)
- Permanent bib holders (complimentary entry)
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entry fees are generally non-refundable; review the official policy at www.xmim.org before registering
World Athletics Platinum Label — the first Platinum Label marathon of the calendar year
Founded in 2003; one of China's oldest major marathons
Course record (men): 2:06:06 — Dawit Wolde (ETH), 2025
Course record (women): 2:18:46 — Ruti Aga (ETH), 2025
Both 2026 champions were defending their titles: Ruti Aga (2:22:45) and Dawit Wolde (2:09:18)
Participant cap: 35,000 runners
Race is run on an essentially flat coastal course; estimated pace impact <0.5% vs flat
Title sponsor: Xiamen C&D Inc. (建发集团) — event may appear as 'C&D Xiamen Marathon' or 'Jianjian Xiamen Marathon'
AIMS member event
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