2026 Anyang Marathon: A Spring Running Celebration!
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- March 25, 2026
- 8:54 pm
Join the Grand Running Event of Spring
2026 “Henan Rural Commercial Bank · Oracle Bone Script Cup” Anyang Marathon Officially Begins
By Anyang Media Reporter Li Shan
Carrying the charm of oracle bone script and chasing the light through running, the 2026 “Henan Rural Commercial Bank · Oracle Bone Script Cup” Anyang Marathon officially started at 7:30 a.m. on March 22. A total of 26,000 runners gathered in Anyang to take part in this vibrant spring running celebration.
As the first large-scale marathon event in Henan Province in 2026, this year’s race reached a record-breaking scale. Certified as an A1-class event by the Chinese Athletics Association, the marathon featured two categories: the full marathon (42.195 km) and the half marathon (21.0975 km). The race continued to use its highly praised “most cultural marathon route,” passing iconic landmarks such as the Chinese Writing Museum, Wenfeng Pagoda, and Yinxu Museum, as well as modern city landmarks including the city sports center and CBD business district. Along the route, runners experienced both the profound heritage of the ancient capital and the dynamic energy of a modern city.
Since its establishment in 2024, the Anyang Marathon has become both a signature sporting event and a symbol of the city. The marathon warmly welcomed runners with free first-entry tickets to 14 state-owned scenic attractions. Finisher medals, race apparel, and exclusive cultural souvenirs allowed participants to take a piece of “Anyang” home with them. The event atmosphere was especially memorable, with oracle bone script elements incorporated throughout the racecourse and event materials, showcasing Anyang’s rich cultural identity. Citizens lined the streets cheering enthusiastically, allowing runners to feel the warmth and vitality of the city.
This year’s racecourse and competition rules were further optimized. Measures such as reducing turnaround sections and implementing “zoned check-in with staggered starting waves” provided runners with a more professional racing experience and improved opportunities to achieve personal best times (PBs).
After intense competition, Qu Jinwen won the men’s full marathon championship with a gun time of 2 hours 23 minutes 03 seconds, while Li Sulan claimed the women’s full marathon title with a time of 2 hours 52 minutes 40 seconds. In the half marathon, Shi Zhijiang secured the men’s championship with a time of 1 hour 07 minutes 18 seconds, and Wang Shuhan won the women’s championship with a time of 1 hour 17 minutes 31 seconds.
A sporting event is also a source of pride for a city. The passionate launch of the Anyang Marathon has further ignited enthusiasm for nationwide fitness. In August this year, the 15th Henan Provincial Games and the 9th Henan Provincial Paralympic Games will open in Anyang, promoting the integrated development of competitive sports, public fitness, and the sports industry, while also driving collaboration across culture, tourism, sports, and commerce. As host city, Anyang is fully committed to venue upgrades, event organization, and service support, aiming to present the people of Henan with a sporting event that is “distinctive, vibrant, civilized, and shared by all.”
