A new way of running things
Chinese marathon organizers are chasing quality over quantity
Less is more
Marathons have spread quickly across China in recent years, often driven by local governments eager to boost tourism and visibility. But the surge also exposed gaps in organization, safety and resource allocation.Under the new rules, accountability has been tightened. Organizers must now operate under a clearer responsibility structure led by local authorities, reinforcing the principle that "whoever hosts is responsible".
The impact is already visible. In central China's Hubei province, the number of approved races is expected to fall to 22 this year, down from 31 in 2025.
"Most of the cuts are at the county level," said Zhang Hua, head of the provincial athletics association.
"Events without sufficient financial or organizational capacity have been scaled back."
For runners, however, fewer races have not dampened interest. The 2026 Wuxi Marathon drew nearly 500,000 applicants, underscoring the surge in demand, with the half-marathon entry rate as low as 2.9 percent. The Wuhan Marathon recorded more than 450,000 registrations, while several other races, including those in Lanzhou, Chongqing and Xiamen, also saw more than 200,000 applicants.
Behind the reduction in race numbers lies a broader goal: improving quality.
"The core of the new policies is not to limit races, but to improve them," said sports consultant Zhang Qing.
"They address long-standing issues and aim to make events fairer, safer and more professional."
Fairness begins with entry systems. In the past, a portion of entries was reserved for invited runners, sponsors and other stakeholders, reducing the number of spots available through the public lottery. Now, regulations require that at least 90 percent of entries be allocated to the public.
At the Wuxi Marathon, known for its cherry blossoms, elite and invited runners accounted for just over nine percent of total slots, the lowest share in five years.
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