At 7:30 a.m. on October 18, the 2026 Xi'an Marathon kicked off. A total of 36,000 participants set off from the Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall to feel the pulse of the city with their footsteps.

Now in its ninth year, the Xi'an Marathon retains its "Ancient and Modern" route while upgrading the race experience—from registration to the finish line—so every runner feels like a star and experiences the warmth of the ancient capital.

The Xi'an Marathon traces the city's history, linking landmarks such as the City Wall, Bell Tower and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda with the modern district of Chanba International Port. Its iconic route bridges ancient and contemporary Xi'an.

Passing landmarks from the Ming City Wall to the Olympic Sports Center, the course showcases Xi'an's blend of historic heritage and modern growth.

Forty cultural aid stations along the marathon route immerse runners in the rich cultural heritage of the thousand-year-old ancient capital.

Along the course, Tang-style performances, Qinqiang and Huayin Laoqiang music, and cheering Terracotta Warriors bring Xi'an's rich cultural heritage to life. At the finish, literary-themed photo walls offer runners a final glimpse of Shaanxi's cultural legacy.Along the course, history leaves the page and becomes an experience runners can see, hear and feel.