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Event Detail
The 2026 Lianyungang–Liandao Half Marathon returns for its second edition on Sunday 8 November, taking runners from Lianyungang's mainland waterfront towards the Yellow Sea island of Liandao. The municipal government has confirmed an 8,000-runner capacity, expanding on a first edition that attracted almost 7,000 participants in 2025. This is a timed, standalone 21.0975 km half marathon, not a festival with additional 5K or 10K races.
A coastal course with real climbing
The organiser's route starts at Zaihai Yifang Park (Haitang Fuyue Square) in Lianyun District and ends at the Liandao Scenic Area Visitor Centre. Runners follow a coastal setting where sea views, beaches, wooded hills and unusual rock formations are part of the appeal. The race is particularly distinctive for its repeated hills: the local government's August 2026 announcement specifically warns that the route is not a flat, fast city half. The inaugural 2025 course climbed approximately 180 metres; that is a previous-edition reference, rather than a confirmed elevation figure for the final 2026 route.
Entry conditions and race preparation
Entries were handled through the Liandao Marathon official WeChat account and the Digital Heartbeat app, using prepaid registration followed by a ballot. Pre-registration closed on 8 September 2026 at 18:00 China Standard Time, and the race does not permit bib transfers. Entrants must have turned 18 by 1 January 2026 and must be able to document a half-marathon-or-longer finish, or two 10 km-or-longer race finishes, from the qualifying period before the registration deadline. Runners should confirm their ballot result and latest participant notices directly with the organiser rather than assuming that entries remain available.
The confirmed 08:00 local start means an early arrival at the mainland assembly area. As the start and finish are in different places, entrants should allow for their own return journey and follow the 2026 official guidance on shuttle services, bib collection, baggage handling and road restrictions when released. Allow extra preparation for sustained climbing, descents and exposed coastal weather. Official 2026 course and access notices should take precedence over maps or arrangements from the inaugural event.