Yangzhou Gaoyou Grand Canal Half Marathon 2026

The 2026 Yangzhou Gaoyou Grand Canal Half Marathon brings 5,000 runners to the historic canal city of Gaoyou in Jiangsu province on Sunday 1 November. The annual road race combines a measured half-marathon challenge with views of the Grand Canal, waterside landscapes and a city shaped by centuries of trade and postal history. Established in 2012, the event is run to Chinese Athletics Association Class B race standards.

Course and setting

The 21.0975 km race starts at Jingtu Temple Pagoda Square, near the landmark pagoda on Wenyōu Road, and finishes at the same venue. The organiser describes the route as passing through Gaoyou's distinctive 'one lake, two rivers and three embankments' environment, with features of the Grand Canal, the Gaoyou Lake area, Zhen Guo Temple and the old post-station heritage precinct. The course brings together town streets, canal crossings and open lakeside sections. It is an appealing way to explore an area less familiar to international runners than China's major metropolitan marathons.

The scheduled gun time is 8:00 am China Standard Time. The published field is limited to 5,000 participants, with places allocated through a ballot following advance registration. The 2026 application window ran from 7 August to 4 September 2026, so general entries have closed. Those already entered should follow announcements from the official WeChat account, 高邮大运河马拉松, for race-number collection, transport arrangements, any final course updates and other participant instructions.

Heritage and race-week experience

Gaoyou is known for its connection to China's historic courier and postal networks, the Grand Canal and its waterside food culture. The organisers are encouraging runners to discover the city beyond race day: each entrant is offered two Gaoyou tourism admission passes to visit participating attractions. Finishers may also have an opportunity to enter a draw for a place in the Yangzhou Half Marathon, subject to the organiser's published conditions.

As with any destination road race, allow enough time for race-pack collection and travel to the start area. Consult the organising committee's current notices for road closures, collection arrangements and eligibility requirements before setting off.