I. Race Information
1. Date and Start Time
November 22, 2026, 7:30 AM
2. Race Events
Marathon (42.195 km)
II. Entry Requirements
1. Age Requirements
1.1 Participants in the Marathon must be 20 years of age or older (born on or before December 31, 2006).
2. Requirements for Senior Participants
Participants aged 70 years or above (born on or before December 31, 1956) who register for the Marathon must also meet the following requirements:
2.1 An immediate family member must sign the “Informed Consent Form for Senior Participants” online, acknowledging the risks involved and consenting to the participant's participation.
2.2 To ensure the safety of senior participants, each participant must be accompanied by a designated companion runner throughout the race and provide the registration details of a companion runner who has completed registration.
3. Physical Condition Requirements for Participants
Marathon running is a high-intensity endurance sport that carries inherent health risks. Improper participation may result in physical injury of varying severity, and in severe cases, it may even endanger life. Therefore, participants in road-running events should be in good physical health and have a foundation of regular running training.
The following individuals are not recommended to participate in the event:
(1) Individuals with congenital or rheumatic heart disease;
(2) Individuals with hypertension or cerebrovascular disease;
(3) Individuals with myocarditis or other heart conditions;
(4) Individuals with coronary artery disease or severe arrhythmia;
(5) Individuals experiencing moderate chest pain during light activity;
(6) Individuals with diabetes or abnormal blood glucose levels;
(7) Individuals who have had a cold or fever within two weeks before race day;
(8) Individuals who consumed excessive alcohol or had insufficient sleep the night before the race;
(9) Pregnant women;
(10) Individuals with other conditions that are unsuitable for physical activity.
Participants are strongly advised to undergo a physical examination at a qualified medical institution within 12 months before the race. The examination should include a blood pressure measurement and one of the following tests:
(1) Resting electrocardiogram (ECG)
(2) 24-hour Holter monitoring
(3) Treadmill stress test
If results show abnormal blood pressure or significant ECG issues (e.g., pronounced bradycardia), a cardiac ultrasound is also required. ECG and cardiac ultrasound are not interchangeable. Participants should assess their fitness condition in conjunction with their examination results to determine whether they are fit to participate in the Marathon. Participants shall bear full responsibility for any personal injury, illness, or property loss resulting from their own health conditions or other personal reasons.
4. Performance Qualification Requirements
Participants must have completed either one (1) marathon or two (2) half-marathon races within the 24 months preceding the registration deadline. The proof of completion must include at least the following information: the date of the event, the participant's full legal name, the race distance (or an event category that clearly indicates the distance), and the official finishing time.
III. Registration Details
1. Registration Period
From 10:00 a.m. on July 28, 2026 (Tuesday) to 5:00 p.m. on August 28, 2026 (Friday)
2. Lottery Results Announcement
September 4, 2026 (Friday)
3. Payment Period
From September 4, 2026 (Friday, when lottery results are announced) to 5:00 p.m. on September 15, 2026 (Tuesday)
4. Registration Fee
5. Registration Methods for Mass Participants
5.1 The marathon is limited to 26,000 participants. If the number of applicants exceeds the participant limit, entry will be determined through a lottery with a waiting list mechanism.
5.2 Registration channels: mass participants can register via the official Nanjing Marathon website, HuiPao Events WeChat public account, "Race Assistant" WeChat mini-program, Bank of Nanjing App, and the official WeChat public account of Nanjing Bank.
5.3 Registration process: Visit the official website or WeChat mini-program → click “Register” → complete the required questionnaire (safety reminders and city promotion) → read and agree to the “Race Declaration,” “Health Commitment,” “Civilized Participation Statement,” and “Anti-Doping Knowledge and Medication Safety Reminder” → complete the registration steps → lottery → pay registration fee → obtain participation quota or waiting list status.
5.4 Direct Entry Categories
(1) Performance-based Direct Entry
Marathon applicants whose best marathon result recorded in A1-certified races listed on the “China Marathon” website, held between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2026, is 2:30:00 or faster for men, or 2:50:00 or faster for women, will be granted direct entry to the 2026 Nanjing Marathon.
After the pre-registration period closes, the Organizing Committee will verify applicants’ historical race results through the “China Marathon” website. At the same time, applicants will be able to check their assigned lottery segment and submit appeals if necessary. Applicants may submit an appeal within two calendar days by uploading a valid race certificate from an A1-level race, a World Athletics Label Road Race, or an AIMS-certified race held between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2026.
(2) Loyalty Direct-Entry Participants
Marathon participants who meet the registration requirements and have completed the marathon in each of the previous nine consecutive editions of the Nanjing Marathon. These participants may register for the 2026 marathon without entering the lottery and will be granted direct qualification after payment.
(3) Permanent Bib Direct-Entry Participants
Participants who meet the registration requirements and have been awarded a permanent bib number for the Nanjing Marathon. These participants may register for the 2026 marathon without entering the lottery and will be granted direct entry after payment.
(4) Direct-Entry Participants from the “2026 Nanjing Marathon Talent Running Club” program
Participants of the “Caiyu Jinling · Four Seasons Companion — 2026 Nanjing Marathon Talent Running Club” who meet registration requirements and apply through the “Nanjing Talents” WeChat Official account. The official pre-registration opening time and applicable rules shall be as announced on this official WeChat account. Upon passing review, they will be exempt from the lottery and receive direct qualification.
(5) Other Invited Participants
Other specially invited participants include pacers, medical runners, sponsors, and media partners.
5.5 Lottery method: The marathon event is divided into three lottery segments, A, B, and C. 20% of the total quota is allocated to segment A, 30% to segment B, and 50% to segment C. All applicants for the marathon category will be placed into the corresponding lottery segment based on their fastest marathon performance from A1-certified races listed on the “China Marathon” website, with race dates between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2026. Participants' age for grouping purposes is calculated as 2026 minus their birth year.
Before the announcement of the lottery results, the Organizing Committee will enable applicants to check their assigned lottery segment and provide an appeal channel. Registered applicants may submit an appeal within two calendar days by uploading a valid race certificate from any A1-level race, World Athletics Label race, or AIMS-certified race held between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2026.
The lottery results will be announced on September 4, 2026. The entry results and waiting list numbers will be drawn and announced simultaneously. Participants can log in to the official race website to view the results as soon as they are released.
5.6 Successful applicants must pay the registration fee before 17:00 on September 15, 2026; otherwise, they will be deemed to have voluntarily forfeited their entry. The forfeited slot will be released after 10:00 on September 16, 2026, to the next applicant on the waiting list within the same lottery segment.
5.7 Unsuccessful applicants on the waiting list must also pay the registration fee before 17:00 on September 15, 2026; failure to do so will be regarded as a voluntary forfeiture of the waiting list position, and their waiting list number will not be retained.
5.8 Waiting List and Withdrawal:
(1) Waiting List Mechanism:
Applicants who have obtained an entry but are unable to participate may withdraw according to the race’s refund policy by submitting a withdrawal request on the official website. When a participant withdraws, their spot will be filled by the next eligible applicant on the waiting list from the same lottery segment.
(2) Refund Policy:
Participants can initiate refund requests by clicking the “Withdraw Registration” button on their registration details page. Withdrawals on or before September 30, 2026 (inclusive) will receive a full refund of the registration fee. Withdrawals from October 1 to October 30, 2026 (inclusive) will receive an 80% refund. Refunds will be processed within one week of receiving the withdrawal request. Withdrawals are not allowed after October 30, 2026.
Applicants who are not admitted from the waiting list by September 30, 2026, will receive a refund within one week.
In the event of race postponement or cancellation, the Organizing Committee will open a full refund period for all participants, and the refund timeline for waiting list participants will be extended accordingly based on the new race date.
6. Elite Athlete Registration
Elite athletes are divided into International Elites and Domestic Elites:
International Elites are overseas athletes who meet the competition's level standards and eligibility requirements. Domestic Elites are athletes included in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) managed by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA).
Elite athletes are invited directly by the Organizing Committee and may not register through the general entry system. For elite entry inquiries, please contact the committee via email: elite@ihuipao.com.
7. Registration for Athletes with Disabilities
The registration and participation of athletes with disabilities in this race shall follow the relevant regulations stated in the notice “Regarding the Participation of Athletes with Disabilities in National Marathons and Related Sporting Events” published on the official website of the Chinese Athletics Association:
7.1 No racing wheelchair category will be offered in this event. The use of racing wheelchairs is not permitted.
7.2 Participants with disabilities must meet the age, health, and performance qualification requirements for the 2026 Nanjing Marathon and pay the applicable registration fee in accordance with the registration requirements.
7.3 Before the race start, participants with visual, hearing, intellectual, or upper-limb impairments shall assemble and undergo check-in together with other participants in their assigned start zone.
Participants using wheelchairs shall assemble, check in, and start from the rear of the last assembly zone within their assigned start wave.
7.4 To ensure the safety of all participants, visually impaired participants must be accompanied by a companion runner throughout the race. During the registration process, visually impaired participants are required to upload proof of disability and provide the registration details of a Companion Runner who has successfully obtained an entry. Participants with other disabilities are also encouraged to participate with a Companion Runner.
8. Running Club Competition Registration
Applications for the Running Club Competition will be accepted from 10:00 on November 2, 2026 to 17:00 on November 9, 2026. Participants must complete registration through the Official Race Website or other officially designated registration channels and have successfully obtained a Marathon entry. Team captains may establish a team by accessing the Running Club Competition section on the Official Race Website or the official event mini-program, entering a team name, and inviting eligible participants who have already obtained a Marathon entry to join the team. Each team may consist of up to 15 participants, including at least four (4) female participants. Once registration has been confirmed, no changes to team members will be permitted. Each participant may join only one Running Club. Elite Athletes, Pacers, and Medical Runners are not eligible to participate in the Running Club Competition.
If a team name includes the name of a well-known organization or brand, the team captain must provide the relevant authorization documents. Team names must comply with applicable laws and regulations and must not violate public order or good morals. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to review all team names and to require the team captain to modify any name deemed inappropriate.
IV. Athlete Check-in
1. Check-in Time
November 19, 2026: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 20, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 21, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
(No on-site check-in will be available on the morning of race day. Please plan your schedule accordingly.)
2. Check-in Location
Nanjing International Expo Center
3. Check-in Credentials
Participants must present valid original identification documents for check-in, such as a second-generation Chinese Resident Identity Card, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, or passports/foreign permanent residence cards for foreign athletes. Please ensure the documents are valid and match the registration information. Participants who fail to present the required original documents will not be issued race materials.
4. Check-in Instructions
Race materials must be collected in person by the participant. Facial recognition technology will be used at the race material collection venue to verify each participant’s identity. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to refuse the issuance of race materials if the participant’s identity does not match the identification documents or registration information. Proxy collection is not permitted.
No race material collection will be available on the morning of race day. Participants must arrive at the designated location within the designated time period to complete the required procedures and collect their race materials.
Participants’ clothing sizes will not be collected during the registration process. Clothing sizes will be allocated based on availability and the order of application, on a first-come, first-served basis. The Organizing Committee will make every effort to meet participants’ preferences; however, the requested size cannot be guaranteed for every participant.
If a participant wishes to exchange the clothing size due to personal reasons, an exchange may be made at the race material collection venue only if the original packaging remains unopened. No exchanges will be accepted once the original packaging has been opened.
5. Mailing Service
Participants who are unable to collect their race materials in person may apply for mailing service through the Official Race Website within 10 days after the race. The mailed race materials include the race shirt, bib clips, and clothing bag. Mailing costs are the participant’s responsibility. Specific application procedures will be announced on the official website after the race.
6. Identity Verification
Identity verification will be conducted when participants enter the venue on race day. This year’s event will introduce facial recognition as an additional method of identity verification. In accordance with the Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China, all participants who have obtained entry qualifications will authorize the Organizing Committee to collect their facial information during the registration process. Participants who complete this collection will not be required to present their ID documents for verification on race day.
Special Notice: If a participant refuses or withdraws authorization for the processing of relevant personal information (including but not limited to name, ID number, mobile phone number, emergency contact information, etc.), the participant shall bear all adverse consequences arising therefrom, including but not limited to inability to participate normally, disqualification from the event, or invalidation of competition results.
V. Event Organizing Committee Contacts
- Tel: 400-99-42195 ext. 1 (Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 AM, 1:00 - 5:00 PM)
- Email: kefu@ihuipao.com
Participants are advised to select online consultation via the WeChat program “Race Assistant”.
Nanjing Marathon Organizing Committee
July 2026
