Quanzhou Jinjiang Marathon 2026

The Quanzhou Jinjiang Marathon returns on Sunday, 6 December 2026 as a 15,000-runner road race through Jinjiang in Fujian. The event has grown into one of the city's signature sporting fixtures, and the 2026 edition is included in Fujian's programme of events being developed for national influence. Both the marathon and half marathon start and finish at the west gate of Jinjiang Sports Center on Century Avenue.

The full marathon follows Century Avenue south from the city centre, passing Jinjiang Municipal Government and continuing towards Cao'an before reaching Anping Bridge Cultural Park, where runners turn for the return journey. The half marathon shares the opening corridor through central Jinjiang and Cao'an before turning back earlier. The route gives the event a distinctive cultural setting: Cao'an's Manichaean statue and Anping Bridge are both part of the World Heritage property "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China". Early December also coincides with the flowering season of the city's silk-floss trees, which are a recurring feature of the race's streetscape.

The race begins at 07:30 local time. The marathon field is capped at 5,000 runners and also offers the "Hundred Teams Battle" team competition, while the half marathon accommodates 10,000. Registration opened on 29 September and closes at 18:00 on 3 November. If an event category is oversubscribed, places will be allocated by ballot, with results due by 18:00 on 10 November. Runners who entered any three of the 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions may qualify for direct entry if they otherwise meet the 2026 rules.

Current registration is restricted to Chinese nationals, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents. Marathon applicants must provide evidence of one marathon or two half marathons completed within the previous 24 months, or an accepted marathon qualification run. Half-marathon applicants must provide one half marathon or two races of 10K or longer, or the equivalent accepted qualification. The event is hosted by the Quanzhou and Jinjiang municipal governments, with technical support from the Fujian Athletics Association.