International sports and media agency Infront and the Shanghai Marathon have entered into a partnership through the marathon’s organizer, the Donghao Lansheng Group.

As part of the deal, Infront will support the marathon’s Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) candidacy, and offer strategic and operational consultancy, marketing expertise, international promotion, sponsorship, media, and production aid.

Dawna Stone, chief executive of AbbbottWMM, said: “AbbottWMM is delighted to welcome the Shanghai Marathon into the candidacy process from 2024.

“This presents an exciting opportunity to expand our impact into Asia/China and further our mission to create, grow, and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon community.”

Hans-Peter Zurbruegg, senior vice president of active lifestyle at Infront, added: “Shanghai is the perfect candidate to put one of the most important running markets on the world map of marathons.

“We are proud to partner with Shanghai Marathon and will work closely with all stakeholders involved to elevate it to the highest level, making it a member of the AbbottWMM Series.

“With the ongoing candidacies in Sydney and Cape Town, Infront has a lot of expertise to share, and we are proud to continuously work with the teams of AbbottWMM.”

Infront claimed that “China is one of the biggest and fastest-growing running markets worldwide.”

AbbottWMM has a strategic partnership with Infront, who introduce races into the candidate program, with the agency also representing the Sydney Marathon and Cape Town Marathon in the three-year evaluation process.

The Shanghai Marathon will replace the Chengdu Marathon as China’s representative in the candidacy process.

If successful, it will join the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City marathons on the AbbottWMM circuit.