Shanghai Marathon

上海马拉松

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Sports & AdventureThe Bund/Shanghai
Dates6 December 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-About 15,000 people
Best forCompetition, enduranceWorld Athletics Platinum Label certification
Language["zh-Hans"]Currency: CNY
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Shanghai Marathon in The Bund/Shanghai

Shanghai Marathon starts at the Bund and finishes at Xujiahui Sports Park, tracing a flat, Platinum Label-certified course past Nanjing Road, Jing'an Temple, Huaihai Road and Xintiandi each December, combining a serious competitive field with tens of thousands of general entrants running through the city's most historic central districts.

A bronze bull statue at the Bund sends off tens of thousands of runners each early December in a race that began in 1996 as the Shanghai International Citizen Marathon, making it one of mainland China's longest-running annual marathons.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

World Athletics Platinum Label certification places Shanghai Marathon in the top tier of global road races by course and organisational standard, a distinction most city marathons around the world never reach

02

The mystery stays covered

The course's density of major landmarks within a single flat, fast route — the Bund, Nanjing Road, Jing'an Temple and Xintiandi all within the same race — is unusually concentrated compared with marathons that spend long stretches on featureless outer-suburb roads

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Shanghai Marathon is documented as a recurring sports-adventure festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to The Bund/Shanghai, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

World Athletics Platinum Label certification places Shanghai Marathon in the top tier of global road races by course and organisational standard, a...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

6 December 2026

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around The Bund/Shanghai to work differently.

What to wear

Standard cool-weather running kit suits early December race-day temperatures in Shanghai, with a discardable throwaway layer useful for the cold start-line wait before the race begins...

Safety

At Shanghai Marathon, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of The Bund/Shanghai you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["zh-Hans"] · CNY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map31.22 N, 121.46 EOpen in Google Maps

The Bund/Shanghai, Shanghai, China

Nearest airportSHA — Shanghai Hongqiao
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around The Bund/Shanghai to work differently.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of The Bund/Shanghai you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to The Bund/Shanghai via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near The Bund/Shanghai, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearStandard cool-weather running kit suits early December race-day temperatures in Shanghai, with a discardable throwaway layer useful for the cold start-line wait before the race begins. Spectators should dress warmly for standing outdoors for extended periods along the route.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for China and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Shanghai Marathon?

Shanghai Marathon is listed for 6 December 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Shanghai Marathon take place?

The festival is listed in The Bund/Shanghai, China. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

The Bund/Shanghai, Shanghai, China

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLenglish.shanghai.gov.cn
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates6 December 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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