Hangzhou Marathon, first held in 1987, was formerly known as the West Lake Osmanthus International Marathon and the International Friendship West Lake Marathon. As one of the oldest marathons in China, this event has been renamed for three times: “Zhejiang-Hangzhou International Marathon” in 1999, as it was jointly organized by Zhejiang Province and its capital city Hangzhou; “Hangzhou International Marathon” in 2006; “Hangzhou Marathon” as the official name in 2015 till now. 

Hangzhou Marathon has been recognized as a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, a China Marathon Gold Medal Event as well as an internationally registered marathon event by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). It is scheduled to be held on the first Sunday of November every year, with the slogan “Beautiful Scenery Runs with You”. Connecting the central districts and the emerging new districts of Hangzhou, the racing track passes through the beautiful and charming West Lake and the wide and spectacular Qiantang River, making it one of the most beautiful marathon tracks in the world.