Changsha Bank 2026 Changsha Marathon

Changsha Bank 2026 Changsha Marathon is one of the larger city road races in central China, with 35,000 places across the marathon and half marathon. The 2026 edition is certified as a China Athletics Association Class A event. The organiser has chosen not to seek an international label this year, while stating that runner services, timing, competition operations, medical support and security will continue to be resourced to international label standards.

Both races start beside Du Fu Pavilion on Xiangjiang Middle Road at 07:00. From the riverside start, runners head north along Xiangjiang Road before turning towards Orange Isle Bridge and entering Orange Isle, one of Changsha's best-known landmarks in the Xiang River. The route then moves west through areas including Fenglin First Road and Aimin Road before joining Xiaoxiang Middle Road. Half marathon runners finish at Fisherman's Wharf, while marathon runners continue south through the Yanghu area, cross the Xiangfu Road Bridge, return towards the eastern bank and pass historic city districts before finishing at Helong Sports Stadium South Plaza. Other prominent course landmarks include Yuelu Mountain, Yanghu Wetland, the First Normal School and the riverside cityscape.

The 2026 field comprises 18,000 marathon runners and 17,000 half marathon runners. There is no Fun Run this year. Marathon entrants must be at least 20 years old and provide proof of either one marathon or two half marathons completed in official races during the 24 months before registration closed. Half marathon entrants must be at least 18 and provide two official results at 10 km or longer in the same period. Personal GPS activities and virtual-race results do not satisfy the qualifying requirement.

Public pre-registration ran from 4 August to 11 August 2026 and used a random ballot rather than first-come allocation. More than 190,000 applications were received for the 35,000 places. The organiser has also used a waiting-list draw for vacancies. Current race-pack collection details have not yet been published, so runners should watch the official event channels for the collection venue, dates and required documents.

The event carries an extensive prize programme for overall marathon and half marathon placings, national and course records, Hunan athletes, age groups and performance incentives.