The Shanghai Marathon was unveiled as a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors during a signing ceremony at the Regent Shanghai on the Bund on Oct 9, which was held together with the launch ceremony for the 2024 Shanghai Marathon.

Established in 2006, the Abbott World Marathon Majors has emerged as the premier marathon series event globally. The major series is renowned for its scale, standards, and global appeal that transcends borders, cultures, and traditions, attracting runners from diverse backgrounds to compete on a prestigious international platform.

The announcement marked the beginning of a rigorous multi-year evaluation process by the Abbott World Marathon Majors which will give the Shanghai Marathon an opportunity to demonstrate its mettle and potential. To secure a spot as an Abbott World Marathon Major, the Shanghai Marathon must meet a set of stringent criteria consistently over three years, paving the way for the city to join the elite roster of annual races that includes iconic cities such as Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Tokyo.

With a rich history dating back to its inception in 1996, the Shanghai Marathon has garnered significant acclaim over the years, having hosted the event 27 times. Notably, in 2020, it achieved Platinum Label status from World Athletics.

Themed "Run For Love, Run For Big", this year's Shanghai Marathon is set to captivate participants and spectators alike on Dec 1, commencing from the Bund Bull and culminating at the Xujiahui Sports Park and the Shanghai Exhibition Center. The event features three distinct categories, encompassing marathons, fitness runs, and a wheelchair race, catering to the varying needs of participants and fitness enthusiasts.

Aspiring runners can register for the competitions via the Shanghai Marathon's official website or app from Oct 9 to 14. Draw results will be revealed on Oct 24, with selected participants having until Oct 28 to confirm their attendance, according to the event organizer.