Shanghai on the Cusp: A Deep Dive into the Marathon's Journey to Major Status
TOP STORIESWMM STRATEGY
The global running community is watching closely as the Shanghai Marathon enters a multi-year evaluation to join the ranks of the world's most elite races. Announced as an official candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) series, the event is poised to become one of the next additions to running's most prestigious calendar, marking a pivotal moment for Chinese road running.
Scale and Leadership: A Massive Undertaking
The Shanghai Marathon is already one of the largest and most sought-after races in Asia, demonstrating the scale required for Major status.
Race Size: The event typically hosts a total of 38,000 runners across all categories (full marathon, 10K, and fitness run). Crucially, the full marathon field capacity is usually 23,000, making it one of the largest 26.2-mile fields globally. The race consistently sees hundreds of thousands of applicants, highlighting its immense popularity and drawing a significant international contingent.
Organizational Leadership: The race is exclusively organized by Shanghai East Best and Lansheng Event Management Co., LTD. While the specific "Race Director" role may not be publicly featured in the same way as in Western races, the overall leadership is managed by key government and commercial figures driving the WMM candidacy. Mr. Xu Bin, the Director General of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, and Mr. Cao Wei, Chairman of Donghao Lansheng Group, are the key official leaders publicly supporting and overseeing the massive logistical and strategic efforts required to upgrade the race to Major standards.
Key Race Details for the 2025 Candidacy Event
The 2025 race will serve as a crucial showcase for the marathon's operational excellence, with a massive international spotlight focused on its delivery:
Race Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025
Start Time: 7:00 AM (Full Marathon)
Start Line: The iconic Bund Bull Plaza (Waittan Jin Niu Guangchang)
Finish Line: The historic Shanghai Stadium
Course Profile: Shanghai is celebrated for its flat, fast, and scenic course. Starting along the historic Bund, runners are immediately treated to breathtaking views of the futuristic Pudong skyline at sunrise. The route weaves through contrasting landscapes—passing tree-lined boulevards, traditional neighborhoods, and the modern financial district—before culminating in the electric atmosphere of the Shanghai Stadium finish line.
The Significance of WMM Candidate Status
Founded in 1996, the Shanghai Marathon has long been a flagship event in China, achieving the World Athletics Platinum Label Status in 2020. Its new role as an AbbottWMM candidate race elevates its status further, demanding an uncompromising standard of service, safety, and runner experience for all mass participation entrants.
The Path Forward: Shanghai must consistently meet WMM's stringent criteria over a multi-year evaluation period.
The Field: Shanghai officially entered the program in 2024 and is currently being assessed alongside the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. The TCS Sydney Marathon was recently confirmed as the seventh Major.
Earliest Admission: If successful, the Shanghai Marathon could officially join the AbbottWMM series as early as 2027.
The Future of the Six Star Medal
The potential expansion of the AbbottWMM series is a thrilling prospect. With Sydney's inclusion, the series is now seven races. If both Shanghai and Cape Town are successful, the series would expand to nine races. AbbottWMM has confirmed that while the classic Six Star Medal will remain, a Nine Star Medal will likely be introduced to recognize runners who complete the entire, expanded roster.
Enhancements Driving the Bid
In its pursuit of Major status, the organizing committee has invested heavily in operational and accessibility improvements:
Global Accessibility: Efforts include introducing advanced digital race maps and resources in multiple languages, and creating International Tourism Runner packages to seamlessly integrate the race with local culture and travel experiences.
Operational Precision: The race has meticulously enhanced every aspect of runner support, from medical services and volunteer training to optimizing clothing bag drop-off and finish line logistics.
The Shanghai Marathon's candidacy is a defining development, positioning the city as a major global sports hub and promising an exciting new challenge for runners worldwide.