Shenyang – September 11, 2026 -- The Shengjing Bank Shenyang Marathon 2026 drew roughly 22,000 runners from China and abroad on Sunday, September 6, cementing the northeastern Chinese city's status as a rising international racing destination.
Runners set off early that morning from the Shenyang Olympic Sports Center, with 10,000 competing in the full marathon and 12,000 in the half marathon.
A Kenyan runner claims the men's full marathon title
A Kenyan athlete won the men's full marathon, while an Ethiopian runner took first place in the women's full marathon. In the half marathon, Chinese runners Zhang Xiaorui and Zhao Na won the men's and women's titles respectively.
Thirty first-aid certified runners escort vulnerable participants
Organizers deployed 30 runners holding first-aid certificates to accompany elderly participants, visually impaired runners and wheelchair users throughout the course.
Dialect slogans line the race route to spur runners on
Mile markers along the route featured phrases in the northeastern Chinese dialect, including "Laotie never gives up," meant to encourage runners to push through fatigue. So-called "Laotie cheer squads" performed heavy-industry-themed dances and traditional Yangge folk dances along the sidelines, creating what organizers described as a citywide celebration.
A 100-meter cheer corridor forms on a bridge over the Hun River
One of the most striking cheering points stretched 100 meters across a local bridge spanning the Hun River, where large crowds of residents gathered to join in the enthusiasm alongside the runners.
Every runner received a free cultural-tourism pass
Each participant was issued a local "Cultural Tourism Pass," granting access to guided walks past a dozen popular Shenyang landmarks. From September 5 to 11, domestic and international runners received free entry to the Shenyang Imperial Palace, the former residence museum of Zhang Xueliang, and the Shenyang Financial Museum.