Ruifeng Bank Shaoxing Marathon 2026 - China

The 2026 Ruifeng Bank Shaoxing Marathon, also known locally as the Yue Marathon, brings 25,000 runners into Shaoxing, Zhejiang, for a road-racing journey through a historic Jiangnan canal city on Sunday 29 November. The two official races, a full marathon and a half marathon, both start from the south-eastern side of Shaoxing Olympic Sports Centre, near the intersection of Jiefang Avenue and Yangjiang West Road. The published first-gun time is 07:30 China Standard Time (UTC+8). Additional wave-specific gun times are issued separately.

Running through the old city

The marathon course follows Jiefang Avenue over Mirror Lake Bridge, runs through the city's central districts and passes Lu Xun's Former Residence, one of Shaoxing's most recognisable literary landmarks. It continues through Fushan Park, past Yuewangcheng Square and Shaoxing Museum, before taking in the city's rivers and bridges, Ying'en Gate, the baseball and softball sports precinct and the Rice Wine Town district. The half marathon shares a substantial portion of this route, but turns back earlier. Both finish at the same Olympic Sports Centre precinct, making the start and finish straightforward to plan around. The advertised field is split equally between 12,500 marathon and 12,500 half-marathon entrants.

Registration and eligibility

The organiser used a ballot registration system. Applications opened on 26 August 2026 and closed at 17:00 on 6 September. Results were released on 18 September, with payments due by 17:00 on 24 September. A reserve-ballot process followed, with results published on 28 September. New general applications are closed. Original entry costs were CNY 180 for the full marathon and CNY 160 for the half. Entry transfers and changes to race category are not permitted.

Full-marathon runners must be at least 20 years old on race day and meet the organiser's qualifying-race requirements. Half-marathon runners must be at least 18 years old and also provide acceptable prior performance evidence. Read the official regulations carefully for which certified results are accepted, medical exclusions and document requirements.

Race-day guidance

The full marathon has a six-hour cut-off and the half marathon a three-hour cut-off, measured from the last wave. Timing uses the disposable timing chip supplied with the race bib; runners must cross each timing mat along their route. Designated baggage storage stops accepting bags at 07:20. Under the current organiser rules, all participants should arrive early for security and start-zone inspections and should not carry pets, prams, skateboards or non-official pacing materials onto the course. The organiser provides hydration, medical and course support, and finishers completing the course within the allotted time receive their designated medal and electronic result certificate.

Detailed 2026 race-pack collection dates, transport measures, road closures and individual wave assignments should be confirmed from the final organiser notices rather than inferred from previous editions. Use the official 2026 competition rules and the Shaoxing Marathon organiser website for verified updates.