China's marathon boom is entering a new phase, with fewer races, tougher entry rules and rising demand reshaping the sport.

As the spring running 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.