Bank of Nanjing Nanjing Marathon 2026

The 2026 Bank of Nanjing Nanjing Marathon takes place on Sunday 22 November 2026, celebrating the event's tenth edition with a 26,000-runner, marathon-only programme. The race is listed as a World Athletics Elite Label event and takes runners on a point-to-point 42.195 km course through Jiangsu's historic capital.

Course, start waves and timing

The official start is the East Gate of Nanjing Olympic Sports Center; the finish is Yanziji Riverside Park. The organiser's published 2026 route threads through the city's urban districts and landmark areas near Zhonghua Gate, Xuanwu Lake and the Yangtze River corridor. The course runs alongside and underneath the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge; it does not cross the river on that bridge. Do not confuse its street-direction instructions with a bridge crossing.

Three waves start at 07:30, 07:45 and 08:00 China Standard Time (UTC+8). Runners must use their assigned wave and pass both its entry-check mat and the start mat. Electronic timing points include every 5 km, the halfway split, turnaround and finish. Missing a timing mat can result in disqualification, even when a runner appears to finish within the time limit. The organiser enforces wave-specific rolling course closures and intermediate cut-offs; entrants who miss a cut-off must withdraw and may use an official sweep vehicle. Consult the current-edition official cut-off chart for the full checkpoint timetable rather than relying on a previous year's finish time.

Entry eligibility and registration status

The general application period closed on 28 August 2026 at 17:00 local time and entries were allocated by ballot and waiting list, subject to payment. The announced entry prices are CNY 200 for applicants from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and USD 100 for international applicants. This is not an open walk-in registration. Elite participation is invitation-only; its dedicated contact is elite@ihuipao.com.

Marathon competitors must have been born on or before 31 December 2006 and must document one full marathon or two half marathons completed within the 24 months before the application deadline. For participants aged 70 or above, the official 2026 regulations additionally require signed consent from an immediate family member and a companion runner throughout the race, with the companion's successful entry details supplied during registration. The organiser recommends appropriate medical assessment and regular endurance training.

Running Club Competition registration is separate: eligible runners who already hold a marathon place may enter a club team between 2 November at 10:00 and 9 November at 17:00. Teams may contain up to 15 runners, including at least four women; the club result uses the net times of the two fastest women plus the eight fastest other finishers. The club competition does not create additional general marathon entry places.

Race-pack collection and finish arrangements

Race packs must be collected in person at Nanjing International Expo Center, with the original identification used at registration. Collection hours are 19 November, 10:00–20:00; 20 November, 09:00–20:00; and 21 November, 09:00–21:00. No proxy or race-day collection is offered. Carry the official race bag for start-area deposit and collect it from the finish area by 14:30 on race day. Avoid putting valuables, cash or identification in deposited baggage.

The course has official hydration, medical personnel and first aid. Participants finishing within their prescribed cut-off may collect the finisher medal and items, while the finisher T-shirt is obtained through a post-race mailing application rather than necessarily being handed out at the finish. Downloadable result certificates become available through the official website under the event's results procedures.

Official contacts

The organising committee lists 400-99-42195, extension 1 (Monday to Friday, 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00 China time) and kefu@ihuipao.com. The primary source for entry, course and competition rules is the official 2026 Nanjing Marathon regulations.