Shantou Marathon 2026

The 2026 Shantou Marathon is a major city road race in eastern Guangdong, scheduled for Sunday 20 December with a total field of 20,000 runners. The programme combines a 42.195 km marathon for 5,000 entrants and a 21.0975 km half marathon for 15,000 entrants. Both races start from the Haibin Road section beside Yuedong Information Building; the marathon starts at 07:30 and the half marathon follows at 07:45, with the finish on Jinhuan South Road.

Shantou’s 2026 edition is built around the city’s distinctive Chaoshan and overseas-Chinese heritage. The organiser has described Qiaopi culture as a central theme, with intangible cultural heritage and local food integrated into the event experience. The certified final course is still pending publication, so ARC has not invented a turn-by-turn route. Current official material does, however, confirm the start and finish precincts. The marathon has a six-hour limit, closing at 13:30, while the half marathon has a three-hour limit, closing at 10:45. Intermediate closures apply throughout both races.

Registration ran from 10:00 on 10 September until 20:00 on 28 September 2026. If applications exceed capacity, places are decided by ballot; entrants complete payment during pre-registration and unsuccessful applicants are refunded after the draw. Both distances cost CNY 200. Marathon applicants must be at least 20 and provide a recent marathon or two half-marathon results, while half-marathon applicants must be at least 18 and provide qualifying recent race results. The organiser also provides direct-entry pathways for qualifying amateur athletes.

Race-day logistics are substantial. Participants are grouped into start zones according to qualifying performance, use chip timing with mats at regular checkpoints, and have baggage services at the start and finish. Marathon bag deposit closes at 07:15 and half-marathon deposit at 07:30; bags must be collected by 14:30 and 11:45 respectively. Water or drink stations begin at 5 km, additional water points and energy stations are placed through the course, medical stations are provided every 2.5 km, and toilets are available from the start area and along the route.

Finishers inside the time limit can collect a finisher kit and commemorative medal and download an official certificate after the race. The overall marathon pays CNY 20,000 to each winner, while the half marathon pays CNY 10,000 to each winner, with further prizes for the top eight plus special Overseas Chinese and eastern-Guangdong awards. Race-pack collection dates and venue have not yet been published; participants must collect in person once the organiser releases the final collection notice.