Xiamen Marathon

厦门马拉松

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Sports & AdventureXiamen
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe course has been deliberately
Language["zh-Hans"]Currency: CNY
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Xiamen Marathon in Xiamen

Founded in 2003 after a citizen's suggestion to the city government, the Xiamen Marathon runs every January along Xiamen's Island Ring Road, with a course revised repeatedly to take in Yanwu Bridge, the university campus and the historic Minnan arcades of Zhongshan Road. It was the first Chinese race to win the AIMS Green Award.

A single email from a private citizen to the local government in December 2002 is the improbable origin of one of China's most prestigious road races: the Xiamen Marathon, first run in 2003 and held without interruption every year since.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The course has been deliberately re-engineered more than once specifically to run through Zhongshan Road's Minnan-style covered arcades and other historic streets, a choice that turns the marathon into a moving tour of Xiamen's architecture rather than a static loop

02

The mystery stays covered

Its status as the first Chinese running event to receive the AIMS Green Award marks it out among the country's marathons for organized sustainability practice

03

The city starts moving

Unbroken annual staging since 2003, without a single cancelled edition, is also unusual longevity for a mass-participation Chinese marathon of this scale

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Xiamen 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 Xiamen, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

The course has been deliberately re-engineered more than once specifically to run through Zhongshan Road's Minnan-style covered arcades and other...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Plan arrival around the route or course in Xiamen; closures can make normal travel slower.

What to wear

Runners should dress for cool coastal January mornings that warm quickly once the sun is up, layering something removable rather than dressing for the finish-line temperature. Spectators...

Safety

Xiamen Marathon is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Xiamen Marathon does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["zh-Hans"] · CNY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map24.48 N, 118.08 EOpen in Google Maps

Xiamen, Fujian, China

Nearest airportXMN — Xiamen Gaoqi
TransportPlan arrival around the route or course in Xiamen; closures can make normal travel slower.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Xiamen Marathon does not become the hardest part.

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 Xiamen via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Xiamen, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearRunners should dress for cool coastal January mornings that warm quickly once the sun is up, layering something removable rather than dressing for the finish-line temperature. Spectators need a warm layer and wind protection for standing trackside near the sea.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 Xiamen Marathon?

Xiamen Marathon is listed for Past edition: 11 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Xiamen Marathon take place?

The festival is listed in Xiamen, 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?

Xiamen, Fujian, 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 URLworldsmarathons.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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