On the evening of October 9, a significant milestone was celebrated in Shanghai with the signing ceremony for the Abbott World Marathon Majors candidate event and the launch of the 2024 Shanghai Marathon. During this event, the Shanghai Marathon organizing committee proudly announced that the marathon has officially been designated as a candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Established in 2006, the Abbott World Marathon Majors is regarded as one of the premier marathon series globally. It represents the largest, most prestigious, and influential marathon series, promoting cultural exchange and enhancing the image of participating cities. Each year, runners from various nations, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds unite to push their limits while contributing to the global road running culture.
The journey of the Shanghai Marathon began in 1996 with the inaugural Shanghai International Citizen Marathon, marking the city’s first marathon. This event laid the groundwork for what is known today as the Shanghai Marathon. In 2012, the Chinese Athletics Association recognized the Shanghai Marathon as a Gold Label event. By 2017, it transitioned to a full marathon format, dropping the half marathon category. By early 2020, the marathon earned the prestigious Platinum Label from World Athletics, making it the first marathon in China to achieve this accolade.
This year’s designation as a candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors signifies that the Shanghai Marathon has joined the elite ranks of marathons worldwide. If it successfully passes two assessments within the next three years, it will be in esteemed company alongside renowned events such as the Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, and Tokyo marathons.
Given this new status, the Shanghai Marathon plans to enhance its organizational framework this year. Innovations will include an electronic map, an expansion of the International Travel Program (ITP) channels, enhanced support for racing wheelchairs, and an overall livelier atmosphere along the course.
To ensure a smooth electronic experience for all participants and related personnel, the 2024 Shanghai Marathon will feature an electronic map that includes race route diagrams, start and finish area layouts, station distributions along the route, and bilingual navigation options in both English and Chinese.
The ITP program will highlight local cultural elements from Shanghai and will adopt an international business travel model to provide high-end, customized services that combine “race + experience + socializing.” This approach promises to create an immersive and one-stop sporting experience that caters to both local and international audiences.
For the racing wheelchair division, the organizing committee is committed to optimizing the route by minimizing sharp turns, narrow pathways, and excessive backtracking to ensure both safety and competitive performance for wheelchair athletes. Additionally, facilities for wheelchair participants—including access to water stations and restrooms—will be adapted to meet their specific needs. To enhance the race atmosphere, the committee is planning entertainment options, such as live bands and enthusiastic spectators, to cheer on athletes in less crowded sections of the course.
At the event, the organizing committee also shared details about the 2024 Shanghai Marathon, which will carry the theme “Run for Love, Run for Big.” This theme symbolizes a new chapter for the marathon as it invites all runners to join in striving for an even greater stage.
The race is scheduled to begin at 6:45 AM on December 1, starting from Jinniu Square at the Bund. It will feature three categories: the full marathon, a fitness run, and a racing wheelchair marathon, with a total of 38,000 participants expected for both the marathon and the fitness run. To accommodate more serious runners, the full marathon’s cap has increased from 20,000 last year to 23,000 this year, along with 15,000 spots for the fitness run.
In line with the World Marathon Majors requirements, the 2024 Shanghai Marathon will introduce a racing wheelchair marathon category, expecting around 20 athletes to participate—this category will not be open for public registration. The finishing points for both the marathon and fitness run will remain the same as last year, concluding at Xujiahui Sports Park and the Shanghai Exhibition Center, respectively.
