Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon

Trace the footsteps of history at the 2026 Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label event that stands as a crown jewel of Asian distance running. Named in honor of the Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen—who famously sought to bridge cultures across the sea—this race is more than a competition; it is a spiritual and athletic pilgrimage through the 2,500-year-old city of Yangzhou. On Sunday, March 29, 2026, thousands of athletes will converge on this ancient capital to test their speed against a backdrop of classical gardens and imperial canals.

The course is a masterpiece of urban planning, specifically engineered for record-breaking performances. Renowned as one of the flattest and fastest circuits in the world, it whisks runners through a "living museum" of Chinese heritage, passing the Slender West Lake and the Grand Canal. The 2026 edition continues to push the boundaries of technology and sport, featuring an intelligent racing system that integrates real-time GPS tracking and instant grade inquiries. For elite runners, it serves as a critical stop on the global circuit; for amateurs, it is the ultimate opportunity to secure a "personal best" in an atmosphere of unmatched local fervor.

As a Platinum Label race, the "Yangma" maintains the highest standards of athlete care, from professional-grade hydration stations to an expansive post-race recovery village. Participation is highly exclusive, managed through a competitive lottery and a "Direct Entry" system for top finishers of partner marathons in Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Tianjin. Whether you are chasing the Men’s and Women’s course records—which were shattered in spectacular fashion recently—or simply soaking in the cherry blossom-lined streets, the Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon offers a racing experience that is as profound as it is fast.