Bank of Nanjing Nanjing Marathon 2026

The 2026 Bank of Nanjing Nanjing Marathon marks the event's 10th anniversary and returns as a World Athletics Elite Label road race. The race is marathon-only in 2026, with a field capped at 26,000 runners and a point-to-point course across the Jiangsu capital.

The 42.195 km route starts at the East Gate of Nanjing Olympic Sports Center and finishes at Yanzi Ji Riverside Park. Municipal and organiser material describes a course linking Nanjing's modern civic areas with major historic and scenic landmarks, including Zhonghua Gate, the Confucius Temple area, Xinjiekou, Xuanwu Lake and the Zhongshan scenic district before the later riverside sections. The official route continues through six central districts and reaches the Yangtze River corridor before the finish at Yanzi Ji.

Race morning uses three start waves at 07:30, 07:45 and 08:00 local time. Participants must enter their assigned assembly zone and cannot change waves on race day. Electronic chip timing is used, with timing mats at the start, every 5 km, the half-marathon split, the turning point and the finish. Rolling road-closure cut-offs apply along the course.

Mass-entry applicants must have completed either one marathon or two half marathons during the 24 months before the registration deadline. Entry was allocated through a lottery and waiting-list system, with several direct-entry routes for qualifying performers and long-term participants.

Race materials must be collected in person at Nanjing International Expo Center before race day. Original identification is required and proxy collection is not allowed. Baggage can be checked at the start in the official event bag and collected at the finish, with race-day baggage claim closing at 14:30. Medical stations, ambulances, first-aid staff and mobile AED teams are scheduled along the course. Finishers inside the official time limits receive the event's published finisher items and medal, with post-race result certificates available through the official race website.