The 2026 World Skate Marathon Tour (Shanghai) will start on March 29 at the Bund Bull Square, kicking off the year's race calendar.

Developed by World Skate as a premier international series, the Shanghai leg has grown in recent years to become a Category A international event under the General Administration of Sport of China.

Star-studded lineup

As the first stop on the World Skate Marathon Tour this season, the Shanghai race features two Olympic champions who are expected to make their presence felt.

Bart Swings is a towering figure in Belgian speed skating. He won gold in the men's mass start at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, becoming the country's first champion in the discipline.

Joining him is 19-year-old Metodej Jilek, who captured gold in the men's 10,000 meters speed skating at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The young Czech skater made history as the first male speed skating gold medalist from his country.

Course highlights

The route stays nearly identical to previous years. The only tweak replaces Middle Huaihai Road with Middle Jinling Road to improve the transition section.

The course takes skaters past some of Huangpu district's most recognizable landmarks, offering a blend of competitive racing and sightseeing.

Designed with athletes in mind, the track features gentle slopes, smooth curves, and well-paved surfaces. It rewards endurance and technique while offering a good chance for fast times.

Race distances

• Full marathon (42 kilometers): six laps on the circuit
• Half marathon (21 km): two laps on the circuit
• Experience race (10 km): no circuit, straight to the finish

Sources: WeChat account of the publicity department of the CPC Huangpu district committee at "shhuangpu", World Skate