About the race
The Great Wall Marathon is an annual race run along and on the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall of China, in Tianjin, east of Beijing. The organiser, Albatros Adventure Marathons, bills it as one of the world's most challenging marathons.
History
The first race was in 1999. The organiser says it has grown from 350 runners to a sell-out of 2,500. Wikipedia notes that the 2003 race was cancelled because of the SARS epidemic, and that the event is traditionally held on the third Saturday of May.
The course
The route runs on the wall itself and on trail alongside it. The organiser lists the surface as asphalt and gravel and highlights 5,164 steps. Wikipedia describes stone steps of widely varying height, rubble, loose stones, gravel and missing steps, and says runners sometimes leave the wall to avoid hazards. About 30 km is run on the wall. The height difference between the start and the high point at East Tower 20 is around 200 m. Guard towers stand 200 to 300 m apart and are joined by steps and walkways that follow the ground, which feels like interval training, with a climb and then a recovery.
Distances and the 2027 edition
The organiser lists a 42.2 km marathon, a 21.1 km half marathon and an 8.5 km fun run. The 2027 race is on 15 May 2027, and registration for 2027 is open.
Cut-offs and entry
Wikipedia gives a 10-hour limit for all races, with a start around 6:00 AM and a 4:00 PM cut-off. The organiser says international runners must sign up for a tour package to register, and its site lists packages of different lengths, plus a shorter regional package.
Where to watch
The organiser mentions cheering villages along the route and offers add-ons for family and friends. Check the organiser for spectator details.
Weather
The organiser's runner feedback mentions stairs, mountains, trails and heat together as part of the challenge. May weather is not described on either page, so check closer to the date.
SourcesGreat Wall Marathon home · Wikipedia: Great Wall Marathon