Participants in action during the 2026 Wuhan Marathon on March 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

　　Following a series of policy changes introduced since late 2025, China's marathon boom is entering a new phase, with fewer races, tougher entry rules and rising demand reshaping the sport.

　　by sportswriters Yue Wenwan and Wang Hengzhi

　　WUHAN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China's marathon boom is entering a new phase, with fewer races, tougher entry rules and rising demand reshaping the sport.

　　As the spring racing season gets underway, the contrast is clear: fewer races, but surging demand and higher standards. According to the Chinese Athletics Association, 39 marathons were held nationwide over the past two weekends, down from 57 during the same period last year.

　　Yet enthusiasm has not cooled. Instead, participation has intensified, with major races drawing record numbers of applications and increasingly slim odds of entry.

　　The shift follows a series of policy changes issued since late 2025, including stricter guidelines on race organization and a pilot framework for mass road-running events. The measures aim to rein in years of rapid, sometimes unordered expansion.

　　FEWER RACES, HIGHER STANDARDS

　　Marathons spread quickly across China in recent years, often driven by local governments eager to boost tourism and visibility. But the surge also exposed gaps in organization, safety and resource allocation.

　　Under the new rules, accountability has been tightened. Organizers must now operate under a clearer responsibility structure led by local authorities, reinforcing the principle that "whoever hosts is responsible."