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The Xiamen Marathon is a prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label race known for its stunning coastal course along Xiamen’s Island Ring Road.
Course Highlights
The C&D Xiamen Marathon is celebrated globally for its exceptionally scenic course, which primarily follows the Island Ring Road (Huandong Road). This coastal route offers runners breathtaking views of the Taiwan Strait and the city’s lush, landscaped gardens. A distinctive feature of the course is its relatively flat and fast profile, which is designed to help participants achieve personal bests. The track is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful marathon routes in the world, often referred to as a “marathon in a garden.” Runners pass by several city landmarks, including the stunning Yanwu Bridge, which sits just above the sea level, providing a unique sensation of running over the water. The course starts and finishes at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center, completing a large loop that showcases the natural and architectural beauty of Xiamen Island.
Race Details
As a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, the Xiamen Marathon maintains the highest standards of competition and organization. The event typically hosts a massive field of 35,000 runners, focusing exclusively on the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers. Held annually in early January, the race benefits from Xiamen’s mild subtropical climate, with temperatures usually ranging between 10°C and 15°C—ideal conditions for long-distance running. The race features a staggered wave start to ensure a smooth flow of participants and utilizes state-of-the-art timing technology with checkpoints every 5 kilometers. For the 2026 edition, the start time was set for 07:10 AM, a schedule likely to be maintained for future iterations. The event is hosted by the People’s Government of Xiamen Municipality and is technically certified by the Chinese Athletics Association.
Why Runners Love It
Runners are drawn to the Xiamen Marathon not just for the competitive atmosphere, but for the incredible community support. The streets are lined with thousands of local residents and “cheering stations” that provide high-energy encouragement throughout the entire 26.2 miles. The city of Xiamen itself is a major draw, known for its clean air, vibrant food scene, and cultural sites like Gulangyu Island. Participants often praise the professional logistics, from the efficient packet pickup at the EXPO to the well-stocked refreshment stations providing water, energy drinks, and local snacks. Being a Platinum Label event, it also offers the rare opportunity for amateur runners to share the course with world-class elite athletes. The finisher medal is traditionally a piece of art, reflecting the city’s maritime heritage and the spirit of the race.
Ready to experience one of the world’s most beautiful marathons? Visit the official website to register and secure your spot on the start line: C&D Xiamen Marathon Official Website.
At a Glance
- Location: Xiamen, Fujian — China
- Next Date: 2027-01-10
- Distances: [‘Marathon’]
- Start Time: 07:10
Register & Learn More
Visit the official race website for entry details, course maps, and registration: https://www.xmim.org/
The Xiamen Marathon is a prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label race known for its stunning coastal course along Xiamen’s Island Ring Road.
Course Highlights
The C&D Xiamen Marathon is celebrated globally for its exceptionally scenic course, which primarily follows the Island Ring Road (Huandong Road). This coastal route offers runners breathtaking views of the Taiwan Strait and the city’s lush, landscaped gardens. A distinctive feature of the course is its relatively flat and fast profile, which is designed to help participants achieve personal bests. The track is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful marathon routes in the world, often referred to as a “marathon in a garden.” Runners pass by several city landmarks, including the stunning Yanwu Bridge, which sits just above the sea level, providing a unique sensation of running over the water. The course starts and finishes at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center, completing a large loop that showcases the natural and architectural beauty of Xiamen Island.
Race Details
As a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, the Xiamen Marathon maintains the highest standards of competition and organization. The event typically hosts a massive field of 35,000 runners, focusing exclusively on the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers. Held annually in early January, the race benefits from Xiamen’s mild subtropical climate, with temperatures usually ranging between 10°C and 15°C—ideal conditions for long-distance running. The race features a staggered wave start to ensure a smooth flow of participants and utilizes state-of-the-art timing technology with checkpoints every 5 kilometers. For the 2026 edition, the start time was set for 07:10 AM, a schedule likely to be maintained for future iterations. The event is hosted by the People’s Government of Xiamen Municipality and is technically certified by the Chinese Athletics Association.
Why Runners Love It
Runners are drawn to the Xiamen Marathon not just for the competitive atmosphere, but for the incredible community support. The streets are lined with thousands of local residents and “cheering stations” that provide high-energy encouragement throughout the entire 26.2 miles. The city of Xiamen itself is a major draw, known for its clean air, vibrant food scene, and cultural sites like Gulangyu Island. Participants often praise the professional logistics, from the efficient packet pickup at the EXPO to the well-stocked refreshment stations providing water, energy drinks, and local snacks. Being a Platinum Label event, it also offers the rare opportunity for amateur runners to share the course with world-class elite athletes. The finisher medal is traditionally a piece of art, reflecting the city’s maritime heritage and the spirit of the race.
Ready to experience one of the world’s most beautiful marathons? Visit the official website to register and secure your spot on the start line: C&D Xiamen Marathon Official Website.
At a Glance
- Location: Xiamen, Fujian — China
- Next Date: 2027-01-10
- Distances: [‘Marathon’]
- Start Time: 07:10
Register & Learn More
Visit the official race website for entry details, course maps, and registration: https://www.xmim.org/