Shenzhen Marathon

The Shenzhen Marathon was founded in 1997, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 29 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Shenzhen, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The course record of 02:09:47, set by Vincent Kipchemo in 2019, speaks to what the Shenzhen Marathon offers elite athletes: a fast, honest course where serious times are achievable. The record has drawn increasingly competitive fields year after year.

Runners come to the Shenzhen Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Shenzhen has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.

Getting into the Shenzhen Marathon is a race before the race. The entry lottery draws far more applicants than available spots, and the notification email — accepted or rejected — has become an annual ritual that defines the running calendars of thousands.

With 28,000 finishers and spectators lining the course deep, the Shenzhen Marathon generates an atmosphere that carries runners through the hard miles. The crowd support in Shenzhen is not polite applause — it's visceral, personal, and often the difference between hitting the wall and breaking through it.