Kashgar Marathon 2026 - Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Marathon 2026 returns for its fourth edition on Sunday 8 November in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China. The race begins at 10:00 am Beijing time at People's Square, bringing together a field of up to 6,000 runners for a full marathon and a half marathon. There is no 5K or fun-run category in the announced 2026 programme.

Race setting and route

The route draws on Kashgar's Silk Road identity, combining city streets with views of local heritage and newer urban districts. Organiser-announced landmarks along the course include Kashgar Museum and Pantuocheng Ruins Park, alongside other local cultural sites. The start and finish are reported at the central People's Square. Kashgar sits at approximately 1,290 metres above sea level, so runners travelling from lowland cities may want to take altitude and autumn temperatures into account when planning their race effort.

Entry and selection

Registration has closed. Preliminary registration and payment ran from 8 October at 5:00 pm until 20 October at 5:00 pm Beijing time, with ballot results scheduled for 22 October. The official registration channel is the WeChat public account 喀什马拉松 (Kashgar Marathon). Fees paid by unsuccessful ballot applicants are refundable under the announced process. The marathon is capped at 2,000 places and the half marathon at 4,000.

Race experience is required: marathon applicants must have completed at least one marathon or two half marathons in the 24 months before the entry deadline. Half-marathon applicants must have completed at least one half marathon or two races of at least 10K in the same period. Entrants should consult the organiser's detailed eligibility and medical requirements rather than relying on distance alone.

Prizes and visitor experience

The organisers have announced an enhanced prize programme, including a CNY 20,000 top marathon prize, additional results-based awards and local Kashgar-resident awards. Specific cash awards depend on category and eligibility. A tourism programme running 1–30 November advertises admission to local cultural attractions and use of city buses for qualified entrants presenting their bib or registration proof. A race-pack voucher also gives registered runners admission to the Meet Kashgar immersive performance, with a discounted ticket for companions. Check current conditions and availability with the organiser before travelling.

Practical information

All published gun times use China Standard Time (UTC+8), including in Xinjiang, where informal local daily schedules can differ from official clock time. The race begins at 10:00 am CST. Detailed wave access, road closures, course maps, race-pack collection instructions and final weather arrangements should be taken from the latest organiser notices. November mornings in Kashgar can be cold, with a much larger daytime temperature range than in tropical Asia. Allow for layers and a suitable warm-up.

Official entry method: WeChat public account 喀什马拉松. Registration is already closed; a listing on a third-party calendar does not imply spare bibs are available. Source details are cross-checked against the 2026 Kashgar Marathon press conference and the current-edition event information.