The event was first held on 18 November 2012. Two people died during the event: a 21-year-old male student died after completing the 10 km race and a 25 year old real estate agent collapsed before completing the 5 km race.[3][4][5]
In 2015, Sentayehu Merga Ejigu crossed the finish line first with a course record time of 2:09:57, but was later disqualified for failing an in-competition drug test.[6][7][8] This led to the promotion of the second runner to cross the finish line, Abdellah Tagharrafet, to first place.[9] He too had broken the course record, with a time of 2:10:01, but he too was later disqualified for doping.[9][10][11][a] As a result, the third runner to cross the finish line, Ethiopian Raji Assefa, was then promoted to first place.[12][b]
In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, only runners who resided in areas of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan that were deemed to be at low risk for the virus were allowed to participate.[15][c] In addition, the marathon was the only distance offered that year.[15][d] A year later, the 2021 Guangzhou Marathon was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.[18]
In 2024, Gebise Debele won the men's race with a new course record of 2:06:28 and Anchialem Haymanot won the women's race with a time of 2:25:13.[19]
Guangzhou Huangpu Marathon
A separate marathon is also held in Huangpu, Guangzhou later in December. As of 2024, while the Guangzhou Marathon is a Gold label World Athletics race, the Guangzhou Huangpu Marathon is only classified as Elite level.[20][21]
Beginning at Tianhe Stadium, the marathon initially heads south to the Pearl River.[22][15] The course then largely runs along both sides of the river, with the rest of the first half mostly either on or east of the Liede Bridge, and most of the rest of the second half west of the bridge.[22] The last few kilometres are run on Ersha Island and Haixinsha Island before entering Huacheng Square for the finish.[22][15]
^Although his disqualification occurred as early as 27 October 2017 for results as far back as 10 September 2009, various sources still recognized him as the course record holder until his illegitimate time was broken in 2019.[9][10]
^His finish time of 2:11:46, however, did not break the course record at the time, which was 2:11:05.[12][13]
^If a runner's low-risk area became a medium- or high-risk area between the time of registration and race day, the organizers would either defer the runner's entry to 2021 or provide a refund.[15]
