2026 Gaochun Marathon - Nanjing, China

The 2026 Gaochun Marathon takes runners through the scenic lake district of Gaochun in southern Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Its autumn programme comprises a full marathon for 2,000 entrants and a half marathon for 10,000 entrants, with a shared 07:30 start on Sunday 8 November 2026 (China Standard Time, UTC+8). The event hub is Laizhuzhou Park (濑渚洲公园), with the advertised start on Danyanghu South Road (丹阳湖南路).

Route and race experience

The published marathon itinerary uses the lakeshore road network around Gucheng Lake (固城湖) and passes Gucheng Lake Bridge, the Water Slow City scenic area (水慢城) and sections of the Gaochun old town. The full course follows a series of lakeside roads and turnaround sections before returning towards Danyanghu South Road. Allow extra travel time because central roads and access around the park will be controlled on race morning. Both events are road races rather than trails.

Entry and eligibility

The official public pre-registration ran from 9 September, 09:00, until 21 September 2026, 17:00, with entry by ballot where oversubscribed. Initial ballot/reserve results were scheduled for 27 September; the reserve-success list was due 5 October, and the organiser states registration is now complete. Entry fees were CNY 160 for 42K and CNY 130 for 21K. The marathon requires entrants aged 20 or over by the organiser's birth-date rule, and the half marathon requires 18 or over. Participants aged 65+ must have a direct family member sign the required declaration. Race category and submitted details cannot be changed after successful registration, and bib transfers or proxy running are prohibited.

Practical information

The organiser requires runners to consider their health and appropriate medical screening before racing; medical and rule declarations form part of the entry process. Registration and ballot results can be checked through the official Gaochun Marathon website or official 高淳马拉松 WeChat account. Race-pack collection instructions had not been included in the published registration notice and are to be announced separately; entrants should watch for the organiser's participant guide rather than assume collection dates or venue. Follow official instructions for bib placement, timing checkpoints, road closures and withdrawal from the course.

Official current-edition sources: Organiser's 2026 registration notice, 2026 competition regulations and event website.

The Gaochun crab-marathon experience and final entry rules

Gaochun is known for the autumn Gucheng Lake hairy-crab harvest, and 2026 race publicity promotes it as the country's distinctive crab marathon. Published 2026 event information advertises freshly steamed crab at the finish for both marathon and half-marathon entrants, with a further one-male-and-one-female crab gift pack for eligible marathon finishers. Check the final participant guide for the redemption point and any conditions; this is a locally distinctive post-race benefit, not a substitute for ordinary hydration and recovery supplies.

The official registration instructions explain the ballot-to-payment process: successful and reserve-listed applicants had seven days following the 27 September result announcement to pay; successful reserve entries were due to be confirmed 5 October. Applicants who did not obtain a place were due a refund to the original payment method within seven working days after the close of the entry process. Confirmed participants could request withdrawal through the entry details page until 18 October 2026, after which the organiser does not permit withdrawal through that facility. All public registration and withdrawal windows have now passed.

The specific 2026 race-pack collection dates, opening times and desk location are still unconfirmed in the sources checked on 25 October. Runners should follow the organiser's Gaochun Marathon website and official WeChat updates rather than rely on previous years' expo details.