Nanjing Marathon

The Nanjing Marathon is one of China’s most sought-after marathon events, held annually in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province. First established in 2015, the race attracts 24,000 runners and features a marathon-only format, making it one of the country's premier long-distance road races. With a ballot success rate of around 9%, securing a place has become a goal for runners across China. The course showcases the city’s remarkable history as the capital of six Chinese dynasties, guiding runners through some of Nanjing’s most famous landmarks. Highlights include Grand Baoen Temple, Zhonghua Gate, Confucius Temple (Nanjing), Presidential Palace, Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, and Yanziji Park. Along the route, runners experience a city where ancient heritage, Republican-era history, and modern development coexist. Combining world-class organization, strong demand, and an iconic heritage course, the Nanjing Marathon has become one of China's leading destination races.