The Beijing International Running Festival-Beijing Half Marathon (hereinafter referred to as “Beijing Half Marathon”) is a World Athletics Label Road Race and a flagship event in Beijing with significant scale and influence. Hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, the Beijing Half Marathon 2026 is co-organized by the Beijing Sports Competitions Administration and International Exchange Center, Beijing Radio & Television Station, and the Beijing Athletic Association, with Bank of China as the exclusive title sponsor.
With its origins traced back to the “Beijing Victory Cup” City Run held in 1956, the Beijing Half Marathon has chronicled the development of long-distance running in Beijing since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, growing into a grand annual springtime gathering for running enthusiasts. In 2007, the event was merged with the Beijing International Road Relay, officially adopting the name of Beijing International Running Festival. In 2016, it was upgraded to a half-marathon event, with a route starting from Tian’anmen Square, winding through Beijing's downtown and iconic landmarks, and finishing at the Scenic Avenue of Olympic Sports Center Area. In 2017, the event was rated as a Gold Label Race of the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA). In 2021, it was awarded the Road Race Label by World Athletics and was consecutively honored as one of Beijing's "Top 10 Premium Sports Tourism Events" from 2017 to 2021.
In 2026, the Beijing International Running Festival will celebrate its 70th anniversary, while the Beijing Half Marathon will embrace its 10th edition. To present a flagship event with broader influence, the organizing committee will roll out a comprehensive upgrade across multiple dimensions—from event operations and service quality to supporting activities, cultural heritage, and sportsmanship advocacy. With elevated professional standards and enriched programming, Beijing Half Marathon 2026 will showcase the captivating charm and dynamic vitality of the capital of China to global runners.
● Race Date: April 12th, 2026 (Sunday)
● Start Time: 7:00 a.m.
● Event: Half Marathon (21.0975KM)
● Division: Male Half Marathon, Female Half Marathon
● Capacity: 22,000 people
● Start: Tian’anmen Square
● Finish: Olympic Park Central Area Landscape Avenue
● Age Requirements
Participants must have turned 18 years old by January 1 of the year of participation [i.e., born on or before January 1, 2008].
● Performance Requirements
Participants must provide two race results from events of 10 kilometers or longer, achieved within the 24 months prior to the event’s application deadline.
● Registration Method
Applicants can register online through the BOC website.
Click the registration interface above to register now.
