Over the past decade, a quiet shift has taken place across China. What was once a niche endurance sport has evolved into a widespread urban habit, practiced by millions as part of daily life. Running is no longer defined by competition alone; it has become a practical, accessible way to maintain health, manage stress and engage with the rhythm of the city.

The origins of this movement, however, are far more modest. In the 1950s, coal miner Zhang Liangyou repeatedly wrote to sports authorities advocating for long-distance events, eventually contributing to a pilot marathon in 1957. Modern marathon running is more commonly traced to 1981, when the Beijing Marathon held its inaugural race with just 86 runners. As the country's first official international marathon, it introduced road racing to a broader public and laid the foundation for what would become a nationwide movement.

The scale and economics of momentum

Today, the scale is markedly different. In 2024 alone, around 7 million people took part in road running events. By 2026, demand reached a fever pitch, with the Wuxi Marathon recording a historic 500,000 applications. Securing a race bib has become a statistical challenge, comparable to a license plate lottery.

While marathon demand has surged globally, few markets have matched the speed and scale at which running has been absorbed into everyday urban life in China.

This intensity has translated into significant economic momentum. In 2024, marathon-related consumption reached 16.8 billion yuan (about $2.46 billion), a 26% increase from the previous year. Running has evolved into an ecosystem linking fitness with tourism through the rise of the "racecation," with major events generating substantial local spending from participants who travel, stay longer and consume more. 

What appears to be a slowdown, however, is in fact a structural shift. As the number of races declines and standards tighten, scarcity is beginning to replace abundance. Demand is no longer diffused across a proliferation of events but concentrated in fewer, higher-value races – reshaping participation, competition and economic impact at the same time. As races become harder to enter, a new tension is emerging between mass participation and limited access, raising questions about who the running boom ultimately serves.

Integration into the urban lifestyle

The most significant shift is found in the mundane hours of the work week. Running has become a temporal anchor in Chinese cities, stretching across the entire day. In the early mornings, parks are reclaimed by those seeking clarity before work. By midday, short runs have emerged in business districts such as Beijing's CBD and Shanghai's Lujiazui. 

On race weekends, entire cities briefly reorganize themselves around motion, with closed roads and open streets turning urban space into a shared track.

Perhaps most striking is the rise of night running. As the sun sets, riverfronts fill with runners using the activity to decompress. This 24-hour cycle is supported by the "15-minute fitness circle" initiative and the spread of smart running tracks equipped with lighting and safety features, making movement possible at any hour.

This constant presence is reinforced by the rise of informal running communities. These groups function as a new form of urban social infrastructure, offering both safety and connection. For many, especially young professionals, running has become a space not only for exercise but for networking, routine and identity-building. On platforms such as WeChat and Xiaohongshu (RedNote), the record of a run is no longer private – it is visible, shareable and socially meaningful.

Policy and the path forward

The evolution of the boom is also being shaped by policy. Under the 15th Five-Year Plan, sports and fitness are positioned within a broader transition toward high-quality development, where public health, consumption and urban livability are increasingly interconnected. With China's broader sports industry projected to reach trillions of yuan by the end of the decade, running is expected to remain a central driver of this growth.

Marathons, in this context, are no longer incidental events. They sit at the intersection of policy and lifestyle, contributing to both economic activity and social well-being. As participation grows more structured and expectations rise, the sector is being gradually aligned with longer-term development goals.

What began with a petition in the 1950s and a modest race in 1981 has evolved into a nationwide pattern of movement – one that continues to expand even as it becomes more structured.

Running, in today's China, is no longer just exercise. It is a system. One that links public health initiatives, urban planning, consumer spending and digital platforms into a self-reinforcing cycle of movement and growth.

The real shift is not that more people are running, but that running itself is being structured into something larger – an economy that knows when to accelerate, and when to hold back.

Editor's Note: Denique Daniëls is a multimedia editor for CGTN Digital. This article is part of China in Motion, a recurring column that explores contemporary Chinese life through movement – from running and walking to the design of public space, health culture and community. By observing cities at a human pace, the series captures how ordinary routines shape the experience of life in China.