2026 Stars Hometown • Ningxia Shapotou Half Marathon (2026星星故乡•宁夏沙坡头半程马拉松)

The Stars of Home·Ningxia Shapotou Half Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the picturesque city center of Zhongwei City's Shapotou District. The race will kick off at 8:00 AM from Zhongwei Municipal Square and welcomes up to 10,000 runners for its half marathon distance (21.0975 kilometers).
This event is a relatively new addition to the global running calendar, having debuted in 2024 with two successful editions under its belt already. The Shapotou Half Marathon offers an exceptionally rare and competitive race course that boasts nearly flat terrain throughout, making it one of the most favorable tracks for speed enthusiasts across Northwest China.
Zhongwei City is strategically located at the intersection of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Gansu Province. The city's unique geography combines vast desert landscapes with lush water bodies, providing a stunning backdrop that runners will experience firsthand as they traverse through key landmarks such as Shapotou East-West Avenue, Observation Canal Scenic Axis, the Cultural Complex (Five Halls and One Center), Sand Town Water City, and Xiangshan Lake National Wetland Park.
The race route is designed to highlight the distinctive natural beauty of Zhongwei's "half city desert half city water" landscape while also immersing participants in the rich local culture. Runners will enjoy a smooth course that minimizes energy-draining elevation changes, allowing them to focus on their performance and take full advantage of professional race conditions.
For those interested in participating, registration reopened on September 5 at 10:00 AM through official channels including the "Zhongwei Shapotou Marathon" WeChat account, the Zuicool Race Registration mini-program, and the Zuicool website (zuicool.com). Spaces are limited to a first-come-first-served basis.
Participants who registered for the original August 30 date have their spots automatically reserved. However, if you cannot attend due to the rescheduling, refunds can be requested via the registration platforms until September 5 at 6:00 PM local time.
This event promises not only a challenging and enjoyable race experience but also an opportunity to explore one of China's most intriguing urban landscapes where desert meets water in perfect harmony.