The Great Wall Marathon

The Great Wall Marathon generally takes place on the third weekend of May each year.

Full Marathon: 42.195 km / 26.2 mi.

Half Marathon: 21.097 km / 13.1 mi.

Fun Run: 8,5 km / 5.5 mi.

Note: Marathon runners must be 18 years old and Half Marathon runners must be 16 years old. The fun run does not have an age limit. 

Distance changes can be made up until 10 days before the race starts. If you want to change your distance while on tour, contact a race director after the briefing on Inspection Day. Distance change is NOT permitted on Race Day.

Be as prepared as possible when conquering the world's most challenging marathon!

The strenuous race route will take you along the spectacular Great Wall in the venue of Huangyaguan, threading local villages as you are cheered on by its residents, giving you the boost needed for its hilly routes and challenging last steps of the tower (5,164 to be exact!).

All distances have a cut off time of 8 hours. All runners with a net finishing time slower than 8 hours will receive a FNT (Finished No Time) on the result list. 

At 14.00 the gate leading to the wall will be closed. Marathon runners who have not yet reached the gate at this time will not be allowed to finish. 

At 16.00 the Great Wall Marathon ends. Runners still on the route will be picked up by a race official and driven back to the finish area.