27,000 Runners Compete in 2026 Ningbo Marathon

At 7:00 a.m. on March 15, the 2026 Thimax • Ningbo Marathon started at Ningbo Sunshine Plaza. With their footsteps as brushes and heartbeats as ink, 27,000 runners raced all the way to the beautiful Dongqian Lake.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Ningbo Marathon. The event was upgraded to a Chinese Athletic Association A1-class certified event in 2025, featuring two categories: full marathon and half marathon. Before the race, over 150,000 people registered, with 27,000 runners from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across China, as well as 46 countries and regions worldwide, being selected. Both the number of applicants and participants set new historical records.

It is reported that this year's event continued to use the classic route, widely praised by runners, "From Sanjiangkou to Dongqian Lake, Through Ancient and Modern." The starting point was at the Sanjiangkou area, the half marathon finish line was at the Ningbo International Convention and Exhibition Center, and the full marathon finish line was at the Ningbo International Conference Center. The course passed historical landmarks such as Gulou and Tianyi Pavilion, traversed the skyscraper clusters of Eastern New Town, then went through Jinda Road Industrial Zone and Dongqian Lake Avenue, finally reaching the finish line by the clear waters. This "symphony of ancient and modern" course allowed runners to experience both the historical depth of the thousand-year-old port city and the vibrant energy of the modern metropolis, enjoying picturesque lake and mountain views.

Around 9:00 a.m., after more than two hours of intense competition, Guo Zhongrui won the men's full marathon championship with a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 20 seconds, breaking the Yongbo Marathon record. Yang Chunlong followed closely to take second place with a time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 9 seconds. The third place was secured by Wangtang Zhujie with a time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 39 seconds.

In the women's full marathon, Ci Ren Cuomu won the championship with a time of 2 hours, 28 minutes, and 8 seconds, breaking the Yongbo Marathon record. Li Yingcui took second place with a time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 13 seconds, and Ni Zhiyan took third place with a time of 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 40 seconds.

In the men's half marathon, Zhao Guohu won the championship with a time of 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 55 seconds. Wei Long took second place with 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 53 seconds, and Yang Xiaojun took third place with 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 28 seconds.

In the women's half marathon, Tang Hongfang won the championship with a time of 1 hour, 19 minutes, and 10 seconds. Guo Cuiling took second place with 1 hour, 19 minutes, and 54 seconds, and Zhang Yanting took third place with 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 9 seconds.