2026 Shenzhen Marathon Starts December 6: Registration Closes September 28, Entry Fee ¥200, Route and How to Register

Runners, take note: the 2026 Shenzhen Marathon is set for December 6 (Sunday) at 7:00, starting at Shenzhen Civic Center and finishing at Bao'an District Waterfront Plaza (寶安區海濱廣場). The full course is 42.195 km with a field of 30,000 runners. Registration opened on September 20 at 14:00 and closes on September 28 at 17:00, so if you want to run, you need to get your pre-registration done within these few days. This guide rounds up the schedule, entry requirements, route, race pack collection, and transport from three border crossings to the start line.

Race Basics

• Race date: December 6, 2026 (Sunday) at 7:00
• Event: Marathon (42.195 km), separate men's and women's individual races
• Field size: 30,000 runners
• Start: Shenzhen Civic Center (深圳市民中心)
• Finish: Bao'an District Waterfront Plaza (寶安區海濱廣場)
• Cut-off time: 6 hours for the full course (with split cut-off times at kilometre markers along the route)
• Entry fee: ¥200 per person (payable by WeChat or Alipay after being drawn; no refunds once paid)

Registration Timeline (Remember These Dates)

• Pre-registration: September 20, 2026 at 14:00 to September 28 at 17:00
• Ballot results announced + payment: October 16, 2026 at 10:00 to October 22 at 17:00
• Race numbers announced: Date to be confirmed (watch for official announcements)
• Race pack collection: December 3 to December 5 (must be collected in person with ID; no proxy collection)
• Race day: December 6, 2026 at 7:00

If entries exceed the quota, places will be allocated by ballot. Successful entrants must complete payment before October 22 at 17:00; late payment is treated as automatic withdrawal, and the place will be released in a second ballot. The timing of the second ballot will be announced officially.

Registration Channels and Eligibility

You can register via the official Shenzhen Marathon website or the "马拉马拉" app by following the steps and filling in your details. The race only accepts individual registrations through official channels; offline group entries and third-party agents are not accepted — agents claiming they can "guarantee a place" are mostly a trap, so don't try it. Hong Kong residents generally register using their Home Return Permit as their real-name ID and pay by WeChat or Alipay; if your phone number and payment method are both set up, the process is the same as for mainland runners.

• Age: 20 or above (born on or before January 1, 2006)
• Qualifying result: Within 24 months before the registration deadline, at least one marathon or two half marathons completed at a Category A certified race (checkable on the "China Marathon Information Platform")
• Aged 70 or above: Must submit a "Registration Confirmation Letter" signed jointly by the applicant and a family member
• Health requirements: Must meet marathon medical requirements and run within your limits

In other words, if you have never run a certified full or half marathon, you may not be eligible this year; you could look at half marathons in Shenzhen and nearby first, build up your qualifying results, and come back.

Where the Route Goes

This year continues the classic course, starting at Shenzhen Civic Center. The route is roughly: Civic Center → Shennan Boulevard (westbound) → Shahe West Road → Wanghai Road (turnaround at Shenzhen Bay Sports Park) → Shahe West Road (turnaround near Jintong Shahe West Interchange) → Shennan Boulevard → Bao'an Boulevard → Hubin West Road → Menghai Boulevard → Qianhai Boulevard (turnaround at Qianhai Stone Park) → Haixiu Road → Bao'an District Waterfront Plaza (finish).

The entire route is closed to traffic with time-limited traffic control, and the cut-off time is 6 hours. The route passes the Shenzhen Bay waterfront and the Qianhai new district, which is a bonus for Hong Kong runners racing in Shenzhen for the first time; but note there are many turnarounds, so it's easy to lose your pacing — hold back in the first half and don't go out too fast.

Getting to the Start from Hong Kong: Three Border Crossings

• Futian Checkpoint (Lok Ma Chau Station): The most convenient. Line 4 departs from Futian Checkpoint and runs directly to the Civic Center Station area, about 15 minutes; on race day you'll need to set off around 5:00, so check the first train times.
• Luohu Checkpoint: Line 1 → transfer to Line 4 at Convention & Exhibition Center → Civic Center, about 30 minutes; Luohu Checkpoint is quiet in the early morning, so immigration is quick.
• Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: Line 13 → transfer to Line 11 towards Futian at Houhai, then transfer to Line 2 at Futian Station to Civic Center, about 50 minutes; if you're staying in Nanshan, calling a car straight to the start will save time.

Because the course is closed on the morning of December 6, driving yourself is not recommended that day; it's better to stay the night before at a Futian hotel near the start (around Convention & Exhibition Center or Shopping Park), then walk or take one stop on the metro the next morning.

Practical Tips

• December weather: Shenzhen mornings in December are around 13–18°C, rising above 20°C by midday; cool at the start and warmer later, so a short-sleeve top plus arm sleeves is the most practical choice.
• Training spots: Hong Kong runners can do long runs at Shenzhen Bay Park or the Dasha River Ecological Corridor at weekends — flat routes with aid stations and toilets.
• Collect your pack in person: Race packs must be collected December 3 to 5 with your own ID; no proxy collection, so plan your time.
• Bag drop times: Bag drop at the start usually opens at 5:30 and closes at 6:40; bags must be collected before 14:00, and late collection will be handled at a designated time separately.
• Traffic control: Several major roads are closed on race morning; if you're not running and heading north that day, try to avoid the Shennan Boulevard area.

FAQ

• When is the 2026 Shenzhen Marathon? It starts December 6 (Sunday) at 7:00, from Shenzhen Civic Center to Bao'an District Waterfront Plaza.
• When does registration close? Pre-registration runs September 20 at 14:00 to September 28 at 17:00; ballot results are announced October 16, with payment until October 22 at 17:00.
• How much is the entry fee? ¥200 per person, payable by WeChat or Alipay after being drawn; no refunds once paid.
• Can Hong Kong residents enter? Yes, using a Home Return Permit as real-name ID and registering via the official website or the 马拉马拉 app; qualifying requirements are the same as for mainland runners.
• How do I get to the start from Hong Kong? Fastest is Line 4 from Futian Checkpoint to Civic Center; about 30 minutes from Luohu Checkpoint; Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint requires two transfers, about 50 minutes.

Conclusion

The 2026 Shenzhen Marathon starts December 6, and the registration window is only open until September 28 at 17:00. If you're keen to run, pre-register on the official channels right away, and remember to check the ballot results on October 16. The course runs from Futian city centre all the way to the Bao'an waterfront — a flat, fast route — and December weather is ideal for running, making it a popular choice for Hong Kong runners heading north for a marathon. All dates, routes and registration details are subject to the latest official announcements from the Shenzhen Marathon.

Further Reading