Muang Thai-Chiang Mai Marathon 2026

The 21st Muang Thai-Chiang Mai Marathon takes place on Sunday 20 December 2026, beginning in the Old City at Tha Phae Gate. Organised by JOG&JOY, this established northern Thailand road race offers a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 3K activities, with a relatively flat course and a memorable pre-dawn start.

Courses, cut-offs and finish areas

The 42.195 km marathon starts at 03:00 and closes at 10:00 (seven hours). The 21.1 km half marathon starts at 04:00 and closes at 07:30 (three and a half hours). Both start at Tha Phae Gate and finish at the King Naresuan the Great Monument in Mae Rim District, rather than returning to the start. Free return shuttles are scheduled from Mae Rim to Tha Phae Gate from 06:30 to 10:30.

The 10K starts at 05:00 and closes at 06:30; its start and finish are both at Tha Phae Gate. The 3K Smile Run, children's run and fancy-dress activities also use Tha Phae Gate. The organiser's English page lists a 05:20 start for 3K while another organiser registration page lists 05:15, so 3K participants should reconfirm their final assembly and flag-off instructions.

Baggage, race-day schedule and eligibility

Marathon baggage transport to the Mae Rim finish is scheduled for 02:00–02:50, while half-marathon baggage transport is scheduled for 03:00–03:50. The 10K and 3K baggage service operates at Tha Phae Gate around 03:30–04:50. Prize presentations are scheduled at Tha Phae Gate for shorter races and at Mae Rim for longer races. Age is calculated as 2026 minus the participant's birth year. The children's 3K is for ages 12 and under; the 10K and longer races have separate age-group eligibility.

Entry and participant guidance

The organiser advertises regular registration until 31 October, delayed-price entry 1–20 November and a later 1–15 December charity entry period, subject to capacity. Entry fees shown in the category cards are the regular tier and vary for Thai and overseas participants; later periods cost more. Payment and service charges may apply. Paid entry fees are non-refundable under the organiser's published rules.

The race expo and bib collection are at Tha Phae Gate on 18–19 December, 10:00–18:00. Runners should have their registration details and passport accessible on a mobile phone. Anyone whose flight arrives after 17:00 on 19 December should contact the organiser in advance about special collection. Plan your race-morning transfer ahead of time: long-distance runners will finish some distance from the starting area, and the first departure is at 03:00.

Check the official Chiang Mai Marathon website for last-minute changes to course operations and the race-day timetable.