Since 2015, the SCO International Marathons and Half Marathons have been held. They have become a practical embodiment of the synergy between the sporting spirit and the Shanghai spirit, a triumph of the strength of the human spirit, and a promotion of a healthy lifestyle. They have made significant contributions to strengthening friendship and cooperation among people and nations, as well as to the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation across the SCO space.
A distinctive feature of the SCO international marathons is that they are open not only to professional athletes, but also to amateur runners of all ages, as well as to people with disabilities.
The SCO international marathons are recognized in the declarations of the meetings of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States as instruments for ensuring peace and fostering the convergence of the cultures of the SCO peoples, contributing to the strengthening of joint development.
A series of similar international marathons has been successfully held since 2015 in the cities of Astana, Kunming, Issyk-Kul, Saint Petersburg, Dushanbe, and Tashkent. In total, over 300,000 runners from more than 54 countries have participated in races held under the SCO auspices.
On May 3, 2025, the International Issyk-Kul Marathon of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – "Run the Silk Road – 2025" – took place in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
On November 30, 2025, the jubilee 10th SCO International Kunming Marathon 2025 was held in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, the People's Republic of China.