The road in front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace is one of the widest in Beijing. For one autumn morning it fills with runners instead of traffic. Chang’an Avenue runs east to west past Tiananmen Square, ten lanes of asphalt with the Mao portrait on one side and the square’s flagpole on the other. That is where the Beijing Marathon has traditionally lined up its field.
The 2026 edition is announced for Sunday, October 18, 2026. This guide covers what the race is, how entry usually works, and how to watch it.
A race that has run since 1981
The Beijing Marathon is one of the oldest city marathons in Asia. It was first held in 1981. In Chinese it is 北京马拉松 (Běijīng Mǎlāsōng), and runners shorten that to 北马, “Bei Ma”.
It is a major international road race. Elite fields from abroad share the start with tens of thousands of amateur runners. For many years it ran a half marathon too. More recently it has been a full-marathon-only event, so check the official site for which distances are offered in any given year.
- Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026, as announced
- Distance: full marathon (confirm whether other distances are offered)
- Start: traditionally Tiananmen Square and Chang’an Avenue
- Finish: traditionally the Olympic Green area in Chaoyang District
From Tiananmen to the Bird’s Nest
The course runs from the political centre of the city to its Olympic north. On recent editions it heads west along Chang’an Avenue from Tiananmen. It then turns north through Haidian District, a stretch of universities and tech campuses. The last section crosses into Chaoyang and finishes near the Olympic Green.
That finish puts you right by the 2008 Olympic venues. The National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, has a steel lattice shell. The National Aquatics Center, the Water Cube, is wrapped in bubble-patterned panels. Exact routing can change between years. Treat the official course map as the final word, not this summary.
Getting a bib
Most years you can’t just buy a place. Entry is usually by ballot. Runners register online during a set window and successful applicants are drawn from the pool. Foreign runners enter with their passport details. Expect to show the same passport when you collect your race pack.
Fees, entry windows, qualifying rules and international places are not listed here. They change from year to year, and the official Beijing Marathon site publishes them. Confirm timing and tickets on the official site, and don’t buy a bib from a reseller. Race numbers are tied to the registered runner’s identity.
Shouting jiāyóu on Chang’an Avenue
Watching from the roadside is free and open to everyone. The useful word to know is 加油 (jiāyóu), literally “add oil”. It is the all-purpose Chinese cheer, and roadside crowds shout it at every runner who goes past, not only at the leaders.
Tiananmen is the hardest place to spectate. Getting into the square area always means a security checkpoint with ID checks and bag screening. Foreign visitors need a passport, not a photocopy. On race morning the area around the start is restricted further. Most spectators head for points further along the course, or for the finish near the Olympic Green, where there is more room to stand.
Moving around on race day
Road closures shut down large parts of central and northern Beijing on race morning. Taxis and ride-hailing cars get stuck or get rerouted. The metro is the reliable option.
- Near the start: Tiananmen East and Tiananmen West stations, both on Line 1
- Near the finish: Olympic Green and Olympic Sports Center stations, both on Line 8
- Security: every Beijing metro station scans bags at the entrance, so allow extra time
Some exits near the course can be closed on race morning. Check station notices and the official race information before you set out. Runners should plan to get to the start very early. Security screening for a field this size takes time.
Paying, eating and practicalities
Beijing runs on mobile payment. Alipay and WeChat Pay both let international visitors link a foreign bank card. Setting one up before you fly makes buying a post-race meal or a metro ticket much simpler. Carry some cash as a backup. Small vendors near the course do sometimes take only mobile payment, though.
Mid-October is usually counted among the best times of year in Beijing. It is past the summer heat and before the winter cold. Mornings can be cool, so runners often wear a throwaway layer at the start. Air quality varies from day to day. Many runners check an air-quality index app in the days before the race.
Staying on after the finish
The Olympic Green is a good place to recover. It is a long, flat pedestrian boulevard with the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube along one side. North of it is the Olympic Forest Park, which has wide paths and a lake if your legs can handle a slow walk.
If you’re staying a few days, the start area connects you to the old city. The Forbidden City sits directly north of Tiananmen and takes at least half a day. Jingshan Park, just behind it, has a hill with views over the palace roofs. Nanluoguxiang and the hutong lanes around Houhai are a short metro ride away and good for an evening walk. Book Forbidden City tickets ahead through its official channel, because entry is by advance reservation with your passport.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Beijing Marathon in 2026?
It is announced for Sunday, October 18, 2026. Check the official Beijing Marathon site for the exact date and start time before you book travel.
Where does the Beijing Marathon start and finish?
It has traditionally started at Tiananmen Square on Chang'an Avenue and finished near the Olympic Green in Chaoyang District. Use the official course map for the current route.
How do I get a place in the Beijing Marathon?
Entry is usually by online ballot during a set registration window. Foreign runners register with their passport details and show the same passport at race-pack collection. Entry rules and fees are published on the official site.
Which metro stations are best for watching the race?
For the start area, use Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West on Line 1, but expect security checks and restricted access. For the finish, use Olympic Green or Olympic Sports Center on Line 8. Some exits may be closed on race morning.
What can I see near the finish line?
The finish area is beside the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). The Olympic Forest Park is just to the north.
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