2026 Chengdu Marathon - Oct 25

2026 Chengdu Marathon - Oct 25 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Chengdu Marathon - Oct 25
CityChengdu
Date2026-10-25 at 07:30
Field Size~25,000 runners
Time Limit6 hours 15 min
TimezoneAsia/Shanghai
Official SiteChengdu Municipal People's Government
RegistrationRegistration closed · Official Site

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature18°C / 64°F
Humidity75%
Wind8 km/h
Rain Chance15%
Typical ConditionsCool and overcast with moderate humidity, ideal for distance running

What to Prepare: Late October offers cooling temperatures (13-19C) with low precipitation. Overcast skies reduce sun exposure. Light layers recommended for early morning start — expect warming by mid-race.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 8 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course TypePoint-to-point
Elevation Gain60m
TerrainRoad
ProfileFlat course starting at Jinsha Site Museum, traversing central Chengdu through 7 districts, finishing at Century City Convention Center. Total elevation gain approximately 60 meters.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Course Analysis

Course Overview

The Chengdu Marathon is a flat, fast point-to-point course with approximately 60 meters of total elevation gain, making it one of China's most PR-friendly races. Starting from the historic Jinsha Site Museum (a 3,200-year-old archaeological site) and finishing at the Century City Convention Center in Tianfu New Area, the route traverses 7 districts across 42.195 km. The race achieved World Athletics Gold Label status in 2024 (subsequently reverted to Label level for 2025) and was previously China's first WMM candidate race (2019-2023) before Shanghai took over that candidacy in 2024.

With 35,000 participants (25,000 full marathon, 10,000 half), the 2025 edition attracted 287,584 registrations — a comprehensive lottery rate of just 12.17%. The course record stands at 2:08:55 set in 2024 by Ethiopian runner Adane Amsalu. The route showcases Chengdu's unique blend of ancient Shu civilization and modern development, passing landmarks from Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alleys) to the Tianfu Finance Center.

Start to Half: Jinsha to Sichuan University

Runners start at Jinsha Site Museum at 7:30 AM (first gun), departing from the ancient Shu civilization site into modern Chengdu. The opening 5 km heads east along Qingjiang Road toward the city center, passing through the Qingyang and Jinniu districts. Crowd support builds as the route reaches Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alleys) — one of Chengdu's most iconic cultural streets where spectator energy peaks.

Between 8-15 km, the course turns south through Chunxi Road commercial district and passes the Tianfu Panda Tower, entering Jinjiang District. The route then follows the scenic Jinjiang River toward Wangjiang Pavilion Park at approximately 17 km. This riverside section is flat and scenic, with bamboo groves and traditional architecture providing visual stimulation.

From 17-21 km, the course passes through Wuhou District along narrower sections near Sichuan University's Wangjiang Campus — the half-marathon finish point. Caution: the road narrows between Jiuyanqiao and the university area. Passing requires extra effort here, so maintain your line and avoid unnecessary surges.

Half to Finish: Tianfu Avenue to Century City

After the half-marathon split, the route heads south into the Hi-Tech Zone. The 22-28 km segment transitions from older residential areas into the modern financial district, with the road gradually widening. Runners pass the Tianfu International Finance Center around 28 km, marking entry into the broad Tianfu Avenue corridor.

The 28-38 km stretch along Tianfu Avenue is the defining section of the second half — a wide, straight, flat boulevard flanked by glass towers and modern office complexes. While excellent for maintaining rhythm, the straight road and reduced spectator density can feel mentally monotonous. The 2025 route optimization widened and flattened sections at 28-31 km and 39-41 km to help runners maintain pace.

From 38 km, runners pass the Global Center and China-Europe Center before entering Guixi Ecological Park around 39 km. The final 3 km features a gentle incline through the park — the only noticeable gradient change on the entire course. The finish at Century City Convention Center provides a fitting modern finale. Use our Negative Split Planner to prepare your pacing strategy for this flat but mentally demanding second half.

Race Strategy

The Chengdu Marathon's flat profile is ideal for an even-split or slight negative-split strategy. The first half offers crowd energy and scenic landmarks to keep spirits high, but avoid banking time — the straight Tianfu Avenue stretch after 28 km is where undertrained runners lose minutes.

Weather advantage: Late October in Chengdu averages 13-19 degrees C with overcast skies and low wind (7-8 km/h). These are near-ideal marathon conditions. However, humidity remains around 70-75%, which can increase perceived effort. Start conservatively and trust that the cool air will support your pace in the second half.

Aid stations: Water and sports drink stations are positioned every 2.5-5 km, with food (energy gels, bananas) available at select points from 12.5 km onward. The famous Chengdu-style aid at 40 km has featured local specialties like Bo-bo Chicken and congee in previous years — skip these if you're chasing a PR. Plan your nutrition with our Marathon Nutrition Calculator.

Key tactical points: Control pace through the lively Chunxi Road section (8-12 km). Stay patient through the narrow Jiuyanqiao section (18-21 km). Maintain focus on Tianfu Avenue (28-38 km) where the long straight can sap motivation. Save a mental reserve for the gentle Guixi Park incline (39-41 km).

Training in Chengdu

Arriving early? Explore daily running routes and local tips.

Prepare for 2026 Chengdu Marathon - Oct 25

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Chengdu Marathon Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for the Chengdu Marathon and what is the lottery rate?

Registration uses a lottery system through the official website chengdu-marathon.mararun.com or the Mara Mara app. For the 2025 edition: registration opened April 15 and closed May 15, with lottery results announced June 15. The comprehensive lottery rate was 12.17% (287,584 applicants for 35,000 spots). Full marathon lottery rate was 19.02%; half marathon was just 6.4%. Entry fee is 200 CNY for both events. Payment must be completed within the deadline announced with results.

What is the time limit and what are the intermediate cutoff points?

The full marathon cutoff is 6 hours 15 minutes from your gun time (finish line closes at approximately 14:05). The half marathon cutoff is 3 hours 10 minutes. Intermediate checkpoints enforce progressive time limits — for example, the 5 km point closes 55 minutes after your start signal. Runners behind pace at checkpoints will be directed off the course. Plan your target pace with our Pace Calculator.

What time does the race start and how does the wave start system work?

The race uses a 3-gun wave start system: First gun at 7:30 AM for elite and marathon zones S/A/B/C. Second gun at 7:50 AM for marathon zones D/E. Third gun at 8:10 AM for half marathon zones F/G. Zones are assigned based on your submitted qualifying time. Check-in opens at 5:30 AM — arrive early as security screening can take 30+ minutes on race morning.

Is the Chengdu Marathon course good for a personal best?

Yes — the course is one of China's most PR-friendly options. Total elevation gain is approximately 60 meters across the entire 42.195 km, with the only noticeable incline being a gentle rise in Guixi Park (39-41 km). The 2025 route optimization further flattened and widened the 28-31 km and 39-41 km sections. October weather (13-19 degrees C, overcast, low wind) provides near-ideal conditions. The course record of 2:08:55 was set in 2024 — the first year as a Gold Label race — with the top 3 finishers all breaking the previous record. Use our Race Time Predictor to estimate your potential finish time.

Can foreign runners participate in the Chengdu Marathon?

Yes. Foreign nationals can enter the lottery with a valid passport. Registration fee is the same 200 CNY for all participants. Payment is accepted through Alipay, WeChat Pay, and major Chinese bank cards. International runners should note that packet pickup requires your passport and confirmation from the app. The race website has an English interface at the official URL. For visa considerations: China currently offers 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of many countries — verify your eligibility before booking travel.

Where should I stay and how do I get to the start line at Jinsha Site Museum?

Recommended accommodation areas: Kuanzhai Xiangzi / Qingyang District (closest to start, 2-3 km), or central Chunxi Road area (convenient but 5+ km from start). On race morning, Metro Line 7 to Jinsha Site Museum station is the most reliable option — trains run early on race day. The organizing committee also provides shuttle buses from designated hotels. Arrive by 5:30 AM for smooth check-in. Note: the finish line at Century City is 15+ km from the start, so plan return transport via Metro Line 1 from Century City station.

What makes the Chengdu Marathon different from other Chinese marathons?

Three distinguishing features: (1) Cultural depth — starting at a 3,200-year-old archaeological site and traversing ancient alleys, university campuses, and modern financial districts in one run. (2) Scale and competition — World Athletics Gold Label in 2024, 35,000 runners, course record 2:08:55, and previously China's first WMM candidate. (3) Post-race experience — Chengdu is renowned for Sichuan cuisine (hotpot, dan dan noodles, mapo tofu) and the race-day aid stations famously offer local specialties like Bo-bo Chicken at 40 km. Over 70% of 2024 participants traveled from outside Chengdu, reflecting its destination-race appeal.

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