BEIJING, Nov. 03, 2025 — On Sunday, November 3, 2025, over 30,000 runners participated in the Beijing Marathon, an event with over forty years of history, renowned globally for its distinctive course from Tian’anmen Square to the Olympic Park.
“Tian’anmen Square represents the core of China’s capital. Commencing the race there instills a feeling of pride in me and holds significant meaning,” stated Xu Mingkai, aged 32, after completing his fourth Beijing Marathon with a personal best of two hours and 31 minutes.
The inaugural Beijing Marathon in 1981 likewise commenced at Tian’anmen Square. Despite attracting merely 86 professional athletes, that race was considered a pivotal moment in China’s era of reform and opening up.
The previous year’s Beijing Marathon drew an unprecedented 182,949 registrants from 43 nations and regions, although only 30,000 participants were permitted. Even with this year’s quota increased to 32,000, it remained challenging to satisfy the high demand from eager runners.
Fang Qi, 36, alongside her husband Zhang Bo, 39, completed their first Beijing Marathon as a couple. Fang commented, “Running is integral to our lives. We progressively achieved our objectives, moving from short distances to a half-marathon, and now the Beijing Marathon. We aim to model a healthy and disciplined lifestyle for our child.”
Zhang affirmed, “The Beijing Olympic Forest Park serves as our primary ‘training ground.’ Its pleasant surroundings contribute to our relaxation during runs, and we have formed numerous friendships there.”
In 2024, Beijing inaugurated 35 new parks, elevating its total count to 1,100. A significant number of these, such as Temple of Heaven Park, Yuyuantan Park, and Beijing Olympic Forest Park, are becoming favored spots for runners.
“In our running group, numerous retired athletes and experienced runners offer their valuable insights and practical advice to new members, fostering healthy and scientifically sound training methods. We also participate in marathon events nationwide to mutually support each other,” stated Wang Lin, a member of a running group in Beijing’s Fangshan District.
The China Athletics Association reported that in 2024, there were 749 road races held across the country, engaging over seven million participants.
Concurrently, a record 4,700 participants completed this year’s Beijing Marathon in under three hours, an increase from 3,004 in the previous year.
“Marathon runners consistently motivate us to maintain our zest for life. The prevalent running spirit and athletic culture have permeated our university campus and the wider city,” commented Liu Longyan, a graduate student at Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, who volunteered at the Beijing Marathon.
“As runners passed the National Speed Skating Oval, the 2022 Winter Olympic venue dubbed the ‘Ice Ribbon,’ and concluded their race between the National Stadium, known as the ‘Bird’s Nest,’ and the National Aquatics Center, or ‘Water Cube,’ they too contributed to the narrative of this dual Olympic city,” remarked Wang Ling, director of the Beijing Sports Competitions Administration and International Exchange Center.
Beijing is set to host the 21st World Athletics Championships in 2027, marking twelve years since it last hosted the 15th edition of the event.
“The Beijing Marathon has again underscored the public’s keen interest in running and the contemporary dynamism of the capital. We intend to further enhance Beijing’s schedule of road races and track and field competitions, thereby perpetuating the legacy of this dual Olympic city,” stated Yu Qingfeng, director of the Beijing Sports Bureau.
Origin: The Beijing Marathon Organizing Committee
CONTACT: Contact Person: Ms. Meng, Telephone: 86-10-63074558.
