After running the Shanghai 1/2M three times, I decided to go whole hog for the full this year. I had run Beijing Marathon last month, and was sure nothing could be uglier. Well, I was right, but not by that much.

Like Beijing, Shanghai starts off on a scenic foot. You gather by the banks of the Huangpu River on the historic Bund, in the shadow of the old Peace Hotel. Nice enough, though the lack of toilet facilities inside the starting pen means you probably have to pee within the first 100 meters, which I sure did. I'm not shy, so a construction site on Nanjing Road did just fine. For the first 6K, it's looking all right, the crowds are supportive, the streets a little narrow but maneuverable. Then you head out under the Yan'an Expressway, which is OK I guess, since most of the traffic is 20 to 30 meters away from you or overhead. Turn out and into Hongqiao, and it starts to get ugly kinda quick. When the full finally breaks from the half, be ready for ugly, dusty, smoggy and insufferably boring. There are times you are running with trucks, cars and motorcycles in the lane next to you. On other occasions, you need to cross bike/motorcycle lanes to get to yours. For most of the last 5-6K, you get to run on an elevated highway with traffic right next to you, and sound barriers on both sides making for a wonderful breathing experience.

The visual unpleasantness aside (and don't get me wrong - Shanghai is a very nice city and you could string together a very scenic route, but that's another issue), the race was well supported this year. Seems that every time someone dies in a race in Beijing or Hong Kong, it translates into better support for the other races. Lots of drinks, but watch out for what looks like Gatorade - turns out to be some really sugary, really nasty-tasting soft drink. The lack of medal? Oh well, you can always go to a local store and get one made for $2. The bags and towels were nice, but there's nothing on them about the marathon itself. How am I supposed to silently brag to friends and family without "Shanghai Marathon 2006" emblazoned on the side??? And the t-shirt - well, it ain't exactly as ugly as the past couple of years, but still....

All in all, another one of those "if you're there, go for it" kind of marathons. I wouldn't fly half-way around the world for it, but it's fun enough, we were SUPER lucky on the weather (12 days straight of pouring rain before, dry that day, 2-3 more days of rain after), and you get to check off another marathon on your life-long to do list.

Although Shanghai is where I was born and raised, it took me 15 years and 65 marathons to finally return to run this hometown marathon. It is not a scenic run or anything like Boston or NYC, but it's reasonably well organized overall. The course is flat and fast, marked in KMs, with clocks and water stations every 5K. This year there were over 2,500 people in the full marathon and about 3,000 in the half. There was also a shorter 4.5KM run. A lot of cheering spectators along the course, which provided a sight rather different from what you'd expect in America or Europe. Minimal support in terms of water and sports drinks. You have to finish within 5 1/2 hours.

As for improvement, I thought they could put out more cups at each water station and some portable bathrooms on the course - I had to jump into some garden at one point during the race.

There was no medal for finishing the marathon but the finisher's award sure wasn't shabby: this year it was a very nice, large, Mizuno duffel bag and a large, hefty Mizuno towel. Each entrant also got a cool-looking Mizuno technical shirt.

I enjoyed this race very much and would definitely do it again. After all, Shanghai is my hometown and I left my heart there before moving to San Francisco.

I did the Shanghai Marathon in 2005. There was a full marathon (some 2,000 participants), half (3,000) and a a lot to choose from. This is generally a good run. Morning start, not too hot (normally), an A to B run with total descent of 20 meters. There is only one high bridge to negotiate on the way, so it is relatively fast all together.

Race organization works pretty well, except for the registration process, which took place with too little recourse and in too small a place. Drinks on the way were ok, as were the kilometer marks.

The course starts on the legendary bund area, just in front of the Peace hotel. First kilometers of the course go throught the city following the famous (then empty) Nanjing Road. After getting out of downtown, the course becomes a bit boring going mostly on and below some highways and flyovers. Towards the end at XX stadium, however, things get better once again.

Towards the end part of the run you'll propably see all 60+-aged cheerleaders in organized colorful lines cheering just for you. This, if nothing else, is a reason to participate. ;o)

After reaching the fininsh line, you'll find only sport drinks to get yourself back on track, which is a small minus. On the other hand, where on earth you get running shoes (Mizuno) and a huge towel just for finishing a marathon?! Ok, there was some time limit of four and a half hours to get them, but anyway.

If you are not too far away, it is a good autumn run to consider. It is not a scenic park or lake run, but for a marathon in a huge metropolis, it is very much ok.