The 2026 Beijing Marathon (hereinafter referred to as "Beijing Marathon") is scheduled to be held in Beijing on October 18, 2026 (Sunday), with the event covering the full marathon distance (42.195 kilometers). The participation scale will remain at a high level. The starting point of the event is set at Tiananmen Square, and the finish line is located at the central scenic avenue of the Olympic Park. Runners will cross the finish line between the "Bird's Nest" and the "Water Cube". As the oldest and most prestigious marathon event in China, the Beijing Marathon has been held for several consecutive years since its establishment in 1981. In 2026, the event continues to receive dual certifications of the World Athletics Gold Label and the China Athletics Association Class A, making it a benchmark event in the domestic marathon scene. This year's event adheres to the "National Marathon" quality and makes comprehensive efforts in competition organization, track experience, international participation, and supporting services. The following four highlights are particularly worthy of attention.
The Beijing Marathon is the oldest marathon event in China, having been held for several consecutive years since its establishment in 1981. In 2026, the Beijing Marathon will continue to hold the dual highest-level certifications of the World Athletics Gold Label and the China Athletics Association Class A. Only 10 marathon events in China have received the World Athletics Gold Label certification, and the Beijing Marathon is among them, representing the highest level of marathon event organization in China. As a benchmark event in domestic marathon, the Beijing Marathon has always attracted the attention and participation of top runners from around the world and tens of thousands of ordinary runners with its high-level event organization, professional competition services, and internationalized participant lineup.
Highlight 2: Classic Track Connecting Ancient Capital Heritage and Double-Olympic Landmarks
The track of the Beijing Marathon is praised by runners as the "National Marathon Track". The starting point is set at Tiananmen Square, where runners start from the heart of the country. They pass through core areas such as Dongcheng District and Chaoyang District, and enjoy a panoramic view of Beijing's urban landscape along the way. The finish line is located at the central scenic avenue of the Olympic Park, where runners cross the finish line between the "Bird's Nest" and the "Water Cube". This track seamlessly connects the 3,000-year-old ancient capital heritage and the modern Olympic city, allowing every participant to experience Beijing's unique historical and urban charm during the race.
Highlight 3： Continuous Improvement of Event Scale and International Influence
The 2026 Beijing Marathon only offers the full marathon event， and the participation scale remains at a high standard. Referring to the trend that the scale of the Beijing Half Marathon in the same year has expanded to 22，000 participants， an increase of 10% compared to the previous year， and the number of overseas participants has increased by 35%， the number of participants in the full marathon of the 2026 Beijing Marathon and its internationalization level are expected to reach new heights. As an important sports window for China facing the world， the Beijing Marathon attracts runners from dozens of countries and regions around the world to compete on the same stage each year， and its international influence continues to expand.
Highlight 4： Comprehensive Upgrade of Supporting Services， Creating an Ultimate Participation Experience
Adhering to the high-standard service concept of the Beijing Marathon， the 2026 event has continuously optimized and upgraded the track support. The supply stations are scientifically and adequately set up， the number of mobile toilets is abundant， and atmosphere cheerleaders are densely distributed along the way， providing comprehensive event support for runners. The Beijing Marathon Expo held concurrently provides one-stop services for all citizens and sports enthusiasts， including event materials collection， sports brand display， runner cultural exchange， etc. In addition， the diverse event derivative sections such as the Beijing Marathon Charity， online race， and cloud museum further enrich the cultural connotation of the Beijing Marathon.
Caveats
Download: 2026 Beijing Marathon Official Competition Regulations (English) Please download and carefully read the attached 2026 Beijing Marathon Competition Regulations (English version). This document contains the complete set of rules, including but not limited to eligibility, race day procedures, time limits, aid stations, medical support, and code of conduct. Your participation is subject to full compliance with these regulations. By registering, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted all provisions. Click the link below to access the PDF. Keep it handy for reference. For any inquiries, please contact us via the information provided on this page.
