Chongqing Half Marathon 2026

The 2026 Chongqing Half Marathon brings an anticipated field of 20,000 runners to Banan District on Sunday 27 December. It is a dedicated 21.0975 km road race for men and women, rather than a multi-distance festival. The event is hosted by the Banan District People's Government, with the district sports bureau delivering the race and Chongqing Qianjun Wanma Sports Development Co., Ltd. handling operations. Its published rules follow China Athletics Association road-racing requirements; the association's technical certification is described as proposed in the competition regulations, so final accreditation should be checked separately.

The Yangtze riverside course

Unlike Chongqing's famously steep urban streets, the half-marathon route follows Babin Road beside the Yangtze River, with the organiser describing elevation variation of less than 20 metres. The published out-and-back course runs from Bihaiwan, along Babin Road to the turnaround at Ronghui Jiangshan Block D, and back to Bihaiwan. Runners can expect views towards the riverfront, Babin Road Wetland Park and the Baijusi Yangtze River Bridge area. The official documents also name Longzhouwan Municipal Square as the event venue, which does not clearly match the Bihaiwan start/finish in the route description. Participants should confirm their precise assembly point against the final organiser notice before travelling.

Race-day arrangements

The announced start is 9:00 am China Standard Time (UTC+8). Check-in opens at 7:30 am and closes ten minutes before the starting gun. Runners are assigned to starting areas using qualifying performances, with staggered starts subject to final instructions. Electronic timing begins as each runner crosses the start mat, with checkpoints at the finish, turnaround and every 5 km. The overall time limit is three hours; intermediate cut-offs apply at 5 km (55 minutes), 10 km (90 minutes), 15 km (2 hours 10 minutes) and 20 km (2 hours 50 minutes).

Drinks and water are scheduled from 5 km onwards, with additional refreshments and cooling sponges at selected 2.5 km intervals. Toilets and medical points are planned approximately every 2.5 km, with mobile medical support. Bag drop operates 7:30–8:45 am, and collection 9:30 am–1:00 pm. The organiser says no race-day shuttle buses will be provided, so allow extra time to reach the venue independently.

Entry, collection and awards

The CNY 180 pre-registration window ran from 26 August to 24 September 2026 and is now closed. Places are allocated by ballot, with the main draw scheduled for 13 October and a second reserve round for 13 November. Entrants must be at least 18 and provide verifiable recent race results: two 10 km finishes or one half-marathon-or-longer finish within the published qualifying period. Additional documentation applies to entrants aged 65 or older.

Race materials, including the bib and timing chip, must be collected in person with the original registration identity document. Collection dates and location have not yet been announced; collection is not available on race morning. Finishers within the cut-off receive a medal and may download a result certificate after the race. Prize money is advertised for the leading men and women, with CNY 20,000 for first place in each category and additional course-record bonuses.