Organisers announced the race, which had been scheduled for November 28, will not go ahead amid fears over a fresh wave of infections in the country.

It is the latest marathon in China to be postponed because of COVID-19 following the decisions late last month to call off events in Wuhan, Shijiazhuang and Beijing.

The number of cases in China's current wave has gone above 1,000, but the National Health Commission today reported the lowest figure in two weeks.

"Please know that our every decision was made on the premise that we have a responsibility to runners and the city," Shanghai Marathon organisers said.

"We have chosen to be cautious and have chosen to prioritise the health and safety of runners and citizens."

China's strict COVID-19 approach has seen almost all international and large-scale sporting events cancelled, with the National Games of China in September signalling the beginning of hosting competitions following the pandemic as next year's Winter Olympics and Paralympics loom.

The Hong Kong Marathon - which was suspended for more than one-and-a-half years due to COVID-19 - took place on the same day as the cancellation of the event in Wuhan to mark the city's first major sports competition opened to public participation since the pandemic hit.

A total of 18,500 entries were accepted to the race, which implemented coronavirus countermeasures, including the requirement of being fully vaccinated and regular testing.

The Beijing Winter Olympics are now less than 100 days away, commencing on February 4.