Coastal marathon ignites spark as runners cross Qingdao WCNA

On May 17, the 2026 Qingdao West Coast Half Marathon started at the Golden Beach Beer City. Now a certified Type-B event by the Chinese Athletics Association, this year's race set a participation record for Shandong province. At 20,000 runners, the event now ranks as the third-largest single half marathon in China, greatly enhancing its regional influence.

The race is also the first stop for the Good Luck Shandong Marathon League, kicking off the province's 2026 road running series.

Participants advanced along a classic coastal route, enjoying the mountains, sea, and urban landscapes. Now in its ninth year, the marathon has gone from a regular race to a cultural icon that shows the energy of the Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA).

Innovation and sustainability highlighted this year's competition, which proudly debuted as Qingdao's first carbon-neutral marathon. To boost the event's economic benefits, local authorities introduced special tourism privileges, allowing runners to explore the city using their race credentials as part of a sports-tourism initiative. This partnership aligns with the area's ambitious Sports 100 action plan, which aims to host major tournaments year-round and make the entire region a dynamic, global arena for athletic excellence.

Runners embrace the harmony of mountains and sea, competing along the iconic course. [Photo/WeChat account: qdxihaianfabu]