C&D Xiamen Marathon
Xiamen, China · Sunday 5 January 2025
Held in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeastern China's Fujian Province, this marathon takes runners through an area known for its maritime heritage and natural beauty. The race unfolds across terrain that ranges from sea level to just 18 meters of elevation, offering competitors a relatively low-altitude experience while still remaining within sight of the city's waterfront character. The setting blends urban infrastructure with access to the region's natural spaces, giving runners a sense of place that feels distinctly local rather than sanitized. The course itself is a trail-based affair, which immediately sets it apart from typical road marathons. Runners should expect a predominantly flat run with gentle rolling sections that never demand serious climbing. The total elevation gain sits well below what many trail marathoners encounter on a typical weekend long run, so the technical challenge here comes more from trail footing and surface variability than from steep pitches. This makes it approachable for runners new to trail running while still offering the different rhythm and foot placement demands that come with running off pavement. The relatively low relief means pacing can be more consistent than on hillier courses, though the trail surface itself will require attention to foot placement throughout.
Difficulty Calculator
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:m
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Adjusted Time
4:32:32
Time difference: +32.5 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain73m
Elevation High18m
Elevation Low0m
C&D Xiamen Marathon 2025 Course Analysis
C&D Xiamen Marathon is a full marathon held in Xiamen, China, scheduled for Sunday 5 January 2025. The course is run on trail surface with 73m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 18m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official C&D Xiamen Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a very flat course with only 73m of total elevation gain across the full distance. The course ranges from 0m to 18m above sea level — a 18m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Surface Type: Trail
C&D Xiamen Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
How Difficult Is C&D Xiamen Marathon?
Our difficulty rating for C&D Xiamen Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare C&D Xiamen Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.