Chongqing - On January 18, as morning mist lifted from the Yangtze River, the starting gun signaled the opening of the 2026 Chongqing Marathon, sending 25,000 runners onto the streets of China’s iconic mountain city. While the elite race delivered a commanding victory by Ethiopian runner Adisu Tafere, who claimed the men’s title with a dominant performance, the true spirit of the event emerged in the stories of thousands of amateur runners embracing the idea of “running for joy.”
Since its launch in 2011, the Chongqing Marathon has grown into one of China’s premier road races. It has earned the World Athletics Gold Label and become a founding member of the Chinese Marathon Majors. Known for its “flat and fast” course along the scenic Nanbin and Babin roads, the race offers runners a rare “full river view” of Chongqing’s dramatic skyline.
For many participants, the event was less about finishing times and more about the connection between fitness, city culture, and community. Wu Weiqin, a runner from Zhejiang province, reflected on the sport’s rapid evolution from niche pursuit to mainstream lifestyle. “In 2016 or 2017, marathons were still a niche event,” Wu said. “Now they’ve become popular because people are paying more attention to health. For amateur runners like us, it’s about enjoying the run, having fun, and staying safe.”
The scenic route proved so captivating that some runners willingly set aside personal bests. Li Jinjing, also from Zhejiang, originally planned to chase a new record but changed course after taking in the Yangtze riverfront. “Chongqing is so beautiful,” she said. “I decided to run with my phone, make videos of the city, and share them to help promote this amazing course.”
With 53 music stations and 4,500 volunteers lining the route, the marathon unfolded as a city-wide celebration. While Adisu Tafere stood atop the podium, the thousands of runners behind him underscored a larger truth of the 2026 Chongqing Marathon: beyond medals and rankings, the greatest reward was the shared joy of running together.