Chengdu Marathon 2026

Chengdu Marathon 2026 returns on Sunday, 25 October for the event's 10th anniversary, with a total field of 35,000 runners. The programme comprises a 42.195 km marathon for 25,000 entrants and a 21.0975 km half marathon for 10,000 entrants. World Athletics lists Chengdu Marathon as a 2026 Label road race, while the official regulations identify the Chinese Athletics Association as the certifying body.

Both races start at Jinsha Site Museum in western Chengdu. The full marathon continues across the city to Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Centre, while the half marathon finishes at Sichuan University's Wangjiang campus. Official route information places the marathon through Jinniu, Qingyang, Jinjiang, Chenghua and Wuhou districts before continuing through Chengdu High-tech Zone and Tianfu New Area. City race materials also highlight the course's mix of historic and modern Chengdu, including the Jinsha area, Du Fu Thatched Cottage and Sichuan Museum before runners move south towards the newer city districts.

Race morning uses staggered starts. Elite athletes and marathon A/B/C corrals leave at 07:30 China Standard Time, marathon D/E corrals at 07:50, and the half marathon F/G corrals at 08:10. Check-in opens from 05:30, with runners required to enter their assigned corrals. Electronic timing is used throughout, with mats at the start, every 5 km, 21.0975 km, turn points, the furthest course point and the finish. The organiser also publishes aid stations, mobile toilets, medical stations and mobile AED support along the route.

Registration used a pre-entry and ballot system and closed at 18:00 China Standard Time on 24 June 2026. The entry fee was CNY 200 for both the marathon and half marathon. Marathon applicants were required to show, within the previous 24 months, either one marathon result or two half-marathon results; half-marathon applicants needed two results of 10 km or longer.

2026 race-pack collection (22–24 October)

The organiser's 13 October 2026 participant notice confirms that race packs are collected at Hall 8, Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Centre, 198 Century City Road, Chengdu. Sessions are Thursday 22 October 12:00–20:00, Friday 23 October 12:00–20:00, and Saturday 24 October 10:00–22:00, all local time. Collection is in person only with the original valid identification document used at registration and the saved electronic collection slip; proxy pickup is prohibited. Identity checks and electronic chip testing are part of collection. The metro's Century City station provides public transport access. Allow extra time on Saturday, when queues are expected to be busiest. Confirm any late changes in the official race website. The 2026 expo spans Halls 8 and 9, but race-pack collection itself is in Hall 8.

Race-day baggage is transported from the common start to each finish, with separate cut-off times for each start group. Entrants could also select a no-bag option, with thermal material provided at the finish. Race packs include the event shirt, race bag, bib and timing chip. Finishers within the cut-off receive the official medal and finisher items, and results certificates can be downloaded after the race.