Xinyu Fairy Lake Marathon 2026

Xinyu Fairy Lake Marathon 2026 returns to Jiangxi on Sunday, 8 November, continuing an event first staged in 2015 and now recognised as both a World Athletics Label Road Race and a China Athletics Association A-class event. The 2026 edition is capped at 15,000 runners, with 3,000 places in the full marathon and 12,000 in the half marathon. Both distances also offer a couples category for one male and one female runner entering together.

All races start from Xinyu Sports Center at 07:30 local time. The marathon runs through central Xinyu before continuing towards Fairy Lake and finishing at Fairy Lake Qixi Square. The half marathon shares the early city section before finishing at Yuanhe Park. The route links city streets, the Yuan River corridor and Xinyu's well-known Fairy Lake and Qixi cultural identity, giving the event a strong destination-race character.

The marathon has a six-hour cut-off and the half marathon a three-hour cut-off, with intermediate closing times along the course. Electronic timing mats are placed at the start, every 5 km, the half-marathon point, turning points and finishes. Runners must pass all required timing points for an official result. Baggage storage is provided at the start, with collection at the relevant finish after the race.

Hydration and water support begins from 5 km, with additional energy support at selected stations. Fixed medical stations are positioned at the start, every 5 km and at the finishes, supported by mobile AED teams, medical volunteers and first-aid runners.

Registration used a pre-entry, payment and ballot system. Applications ran from 19 July to 31 August, with ballot results released on 7 September. Current rules require runners to collect their own race materials using original identification; the detailed 2026 collection timetable and venue are still to be announced in a separate organiser notice.

Prize money is offered for the leading men and women in both distances, with additional awards for Chinese marathon runners and the couples divisions. Runners who finish within the applicable cut-off receive official finisher items and a medal.