🇨🇳Beijing, China
Beijing Marathon
Oct 31, 2026
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
90 m
Terrain
Road
Entry type
Lottery
PB potential
Good conditions for a solid performance
Beginner friendly
Suitable for beginners with solid training
About this race
Beijing's marathon, one of Asia's oldest, runs past some of the world's most iconic monuments. The course starts at Tiananmen Square — the vast plaza fronting the Forbidden City (the largest palace complex in the world) — runs along Chang'an Avenue (Beijing's grand east-west axis), past the Temple of Heaven, through the Chaoyang Olympic Park, and finishes near the National Stadium (the Bird's Nest). The 90m of elevation is spread across Beijing's generally flat terrain. October conditions are Beijing's finest — 10–17°C, low humidity, and the air quality is typically at its annual best after summer smog. Entry is by lottery for domestic runners; international entries through designated travel agents. Running past the Forbidden City is a genuinely extraordinary experience.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
10–17°C
Humidity
40–55%
Conditions
Beijing October — crisp and clear, best month of the year
Wind
10–20 km/h northerly
Pace Band
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