Zhaoqing Marathon 2026

The 2026 Zhaoqing Marathon (2026肇庆马拉松) takes runners to the lakeside landscape of Seven Star Crags (Qixingyan) in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, for a road-running festival on Sunday 29 November. Organisers advertise 15,000 places: 3,000 marathon and 12,000 half-marathon entrants. Both races begin at 07:30 China Standard Time (UTC+8), with the starting assembly at Seven Star Crags Paifang Square in Duanzhou District.

A scenic Guangdong destination race

Zhaoqing is famous for the karst limestone peaks and lakes of Seven Star Crags, part of the Xinghu scenic area. The event combines competitive road racing with an opportunity to explore the city's waterfront setting. The complete final course and finish locations are subject to the organiser's definitive race-day guide; runners should not assume a past-edition route will be used.

Registration status

Registration closed at 18:00 China time on 23 October 2026, according to the 2026 race regulations. The published application window began on 25 August. Where applications exceed the available places, entries are subject to a ballot, with results expected in early November. An application or payment is not, on its own, confirmation of a starting place; applicants should follow the organiser's registration portal for ballot notices and any additional documentation.

Race-day and participant information

• Start: 07:30 on Sunday 29 November 2026; runner assembly and checks are advertised for 06:00–07:15.
• Distances: marathon (42.195 km) and half marathon (21.0975 km). The race rules include electronic chip timing and intermediate timing checkpoints.
• On-course services: organised drinking-water and medical stations, course marshals and baggage arrangements, with category-specific cut-offs and safety rules set out in the official competition regulations.
• Race-pack collection: participants must present their own valid identification to collect race materials. The organiser will announce the precise expo venue, hours and instructions before race weekend.
• Prepare for travel: check the final race route, road closures, start-zone allocation and official public-transport advice before travelling to Seven Star Crags. Temperatures can vary in late-November Guangdong mornings, so plan clothing and hydration accordingly.

Standard advertised entry fees are CNY 188 for the marathon and CNY 158 for the half marathon. These are application-period fees, not proof that registration remains open. Current race regulations and confirmed ballot notices should take precedence over generic website status badges.