Best marathons in China
3 rated races, ranked by an overall score built from racer reviews and race reports. How we score
3 races
Overall score 3.5Very good#122 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 2 runner ratings
Climbing 45 m (150 ft)
1. Shanghai International Marathon
Overall score 3.5Very goodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 2 runner ratingsTop 41%#122 of 297 overallShanghai, China · Next race 6 Dec 2026
Racers loveStarts at the Bund Bull beside the Huangpu River and the Pudong skyline.
Watch outExpect 5 to 6 security checks at the expo and 2 to 3 on race day.
“Usually only XL and XXL are available if you go on the 2nd day.” Untour Food Tours (2011)
- Air
- 8–15 °C (46–59 °F)
- Climbing
- 45 m (150 ft)
- Field
- about 23,000
- Best
- Conditions 4.3
- Weakest
- Entry 2.1
Overall score 3.3Good#184 of 297Thin evidence · 4 sources
Climbing 90 m (295 ft)
2. Dalian International Marathon
Overall score 3.3GoodThin evidence · 4 sources#184 of 297 overallDalian, China · Next race 25 Apr 2027
Racers loveRun since 1987; World Athletics Elite Label since 2025.
Watch outLottery entry; odds are not published but a guide says they are easier than Shanghai.
- Air
- 8–15 °C (46–59 °F)
- Climbing
- 90 m (295 ft)
- Field
- about 16,000
- Best
- Course 3.8
- Weakest
- Entry 2.8
Overall score 3.1Good#227 of 297Moderate evidence · 5 sources
Climbing 25 m (82 ft)
3. Wuxi Marathon
Overall score 3.1GoodModerate evidence · 5 sourcesBottom 24%#227 of 297 overallWuxi, China · Next race 21 Mar 2027
Racers loveChinese national marathon records were set here in 2023, on about 25 m (82 ft) of gain.
Watch outLottery: about 11 percent of marathon applicants won a place in 2026.
- Air
- 8–17 °C (46–63 °F)
- Climbing
- 25 m (82 ft)
- Field
- about 27,000
- Best
- Conditions 4.0
- Weakest
- Entry 1.6
About these ratings
Races are ranked by an overall score out of 5, built from racer reviews and race reports, on the race itself, course, support, conditions, travel and entry. 5 is always the better end. How we rate
Marathon course: 42.2 km (26.2 mi).
1 of 3 scores are thin evidence: fewer than 5 sources each (dashed score, marked provisional). Show only races with 5+ sources.
16 racer reviews and race reports.
Browse all 3 races, A to Z
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