🇨🇳Shanghai, China
Shanghai Marathon
Nov 29, 2026
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
40 m
Terrain
Road
Entry type
Lottery
PB potential
Excellent PB course — flat, fast, and well-paced
Beginner friendly
Suitable for beginners with solid training
About this race
Shanghai's marathon is China's most prestigious and fastest — a near-flat (40m elevation) loop through the world's most dynamic skyline. The course starts and finishes on the Bund — the historic waterfront of colonial-era buildings facing Lujiazui's hypermodern skyscraper forest (Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao, World Financial Centre). The route crosses the Huangpu River multiple times, runs through the French Concession's tree-lined streets, and through People's Square. November conditions are ideal — 8–14°C, low humidity. The Shanghai marathon attracts 38,000+ runners and is one of Asia's hardest entry lotteries. The contrast of running past Art Deco buildings with sci-fi glass towers as backdrop is unique to Shanghai.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
8–15°C
Humidity
60–70%
Conditions
Shanghai late autumn — cool and usually clear
Wind
10–20 km/h
Pace Band
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