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Great Wall Marathon

The Great Wall Marathon is more than a marathon - from the majesty of the wall to the bustling streets of Beijing; the night markets in Wanfujing; the shopping experiences in the local markets; extension tours to the Terracotta Warriors, Three Gorges or Shanghai. China will leave you breathless.

Listed on the Forbes list of the Top 10 Marathons Worth Travelling For, the Great Wall Marathon is known worldwide as one of the toughest. The other thing the Great Wall is known for is being one of the friendliest. The concept of this event, where runners travel together in a group and run the marathon as a group makes for lasting friendships and camaraderie like no other. This event will leave you breathless in more ways than one!

We’ve been involved with the organisation of the Great Wall Marathon since 2002 and are pleased to be a Travel Partner for the event. We are well placed to advise and guide you on all aspects of the event…. whether it be the running conditions on the wall or the highlights of Beijing. We can share our personal experiences with you…. and there are many. What you learn about the Great Wall Marathon is it’s not ‘just a marathon,’ it’s far more personal than that!  If you do just one thing in your life, run the Great Wall Marathon! As an Official Partner of the event we can provide you with your guaranteed entry and accommodation travel package to the event. 

Watch the video below of the Great Wall to gain an insight into the event. Experience the excitement, share the runners' enthusiasm, be inspired by the challenge and then contact us and we will make it all happen for you!

The Great Wall Marathon course can be divided into three sections. The first section, which covers approximately 8.5kms, takes the runners up to, across and down the Wall. This part of the course is marked by steep ascents and descents and consists of thousands of steps. Runners are advised to run slowly going up and down the mountain, as well as to walk when passing the steepest parts of the Great Wall.   The second section of the course, which takes the runners through picturesque villages and rice fields, is done on flat asphalt and gravel roads. All roads are in good condition and do not require special footwear. There is a long ascent around the half way mark, leading up to and through a local village. The third section of the course crosses the Wall a second time, The Great Wall Marathon course can be divided into three sections. 

The Great Wall Half Marathon can be divided into two sections. The first section has the same start as the marathon – up to, across and down the Wall. The second section of the course takes runners through a picturesque local village.

The Great Wall Fun Run is simply the first section of the marathon/half marathon course – up to, across and down the Wall.

START TIMES

  • Great Wall Marathon and Half Marathon start time is 7:30am (wave starts)
  • Fun Run start time is 8:10am

FINISHING TIMES

8 hours. Marathon runners must be on the wall, for the second time, within 6 hours (approximately 34kms). Runners not making this time will not be permitted to cross the wall a second time and will be directed to the finish line.

RACE PACK

Race packs will be handed out by your tour guide at the hotel. They will contain information about the event, your bib number, timing chip and event tshirt.

DRINK STATIONS

There will be a drink station approximately every 2-3km (24 in total on the course) serving bottled water. Electrolyte drinks and bananas will be served at selected drink stations. Personal refreshments are transported onto the course and can be deposited at the athletics tent on race morning.

TIMING

Race timing is provided by RFID technology.

TSHIRT, MEDAL

All entrants receive an event tshirt. Medals are presented to runners as they cross the finish line.

MEDICAL SUPPORT

A team of specialised medical doctors and officials will supervise the marathon. These medical team have the authority to exclude runners who, according to their judgement, should not continue running. 

CARBO LOAD DINNER

A rice and noodle meal dinner is held on Friday evening. Further details are included in your itinerary information and the cost is included in your package.

POST RACE CELEBRATION DINNER

A superb celebration dinner is held on Sunday evening (venue tbc) followed by an ‘after party’ at a local nightclub. The gala dinner combines and excellent buffet dinner with Chinese culture and entertainment. Further details are included in your itinerary information and the cost is included in your entry and accommodation travel package (after party not included).

TRANSPORT

Transport to/from the race start is provided included in your tour package, as is transport to the inspection day.

BAGGAGE

There is a baggage storage facility at the start/finish venue.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Race day conditions can vary. Mornings are usually quite cool, around 10 degrees. During the day the temperature can vary between 22 degrees, up to maximums in the thirties. An average day will see temperatures in the vicinity of 12-26 degrees.

Guaranteed Entry and Accommodation Packages Available

RunFun Travel is pleased to offer two options for your entry and accommodation travel package to the Great Wall Marathon - one giving you a taste of rural China and the other based in the bustling city of Beijing. For those of your not continuing your journey on one of the Extension Tours on offer, we can assist with additional days in Beijing. 

Prices from $TBC pp, twin share. 

Itinerary 1 - Rural China 

From $2760pp twin share, $3260 single.
This 6d/5n itinerary is for runners who are participating in the Great Wall Marathon as well as accompanying family and friends. This tour combines the capital city of Beijing with a stay in rural Jizhou, offering the charm of a small town (by Chinese standards) combined with modern and comfortable hotel facilities. Jizhou is a wonderful place to explore a different side of China. All sightseeing tours are accompanied by an English speaking guide.

All Great Wall Marathon tours are fully escorted by English speaking guides.
Airport transfer on arrival is included. Departure transfer may be booked separately - please discuss with us when booking.

Itinerary 2 – Beijing 7d/6n 

Freom $3080pp twin share, $3896 single.
This 7d/6n itinerary is the second option for runners and based in Beijing. Since all nights are spent in Bejing, there is more time to explore the capital of China. All sightseeing tours are accompanied by an English speaking guide.

All Great Wall Marathon tours are fully escorted by English speaking guides.
Airport transfer on arrival is included. Departure transfers are not included - please discuss with us when booking and we can arrange your departure transfer.

Included

  • Guaranteed Entry to the Great Wall Marathon, Half Marathon or Fun Fun
  • Accommodation as per your chosen itinerary, including service charge and taxes
  • Fully escorted by an English speaking guide
  • Event branded tshirt
  • Transfer on arrival in Beijing
  • Meals as per your itinerary. Meals in Jizhou offered according to itinerary
  • Sightseeing and excursions as listed (Optional tours must be purchased separately prior to your departure)
  • Event related transfers
  • Gala Celebration Dinner
  • Post race massage
  • All expenses related to the Great Wall Marathon 
  • Marathon medical team of specialised doctors and nurses (race day only)
  • Comprehensive information packet with your race number and other documents

 


Photos courtesy Marathon-Photos.com

Extension Tours (tbc for 2024)

RunFun Travel offers a number of extension tours, in China, Tibet and Hong Kong. 

  1. X'ian 3d/2n by Air
  2. Shanghai & Suzhou 4d/3n by Train
  3. Yangtze Cruise & X'ian 7d/6n by Air and 5* Cruise
  4. X'ian-Guilin-Hong Kong 8d/7n
  5. Lanzhou/Xining-Lhasa-X'ian 8d/7n
  6. X'ian-Guilin-Shanghai 8d/7n
  7. X'ian & Shanghai 5d/4n

Excluded


Booking Information

All prices are per person bases on a twin share basis or single as indicated. 

Bookings received prior to 1 December receive a $75 discount.

A late booking fee of $230 per person applies to all bookings received after 18 March 2024.

Last date for bookings is 18 April 2024.

Payments

A non-refundable initial instalment of $600 is required to secure your Great Wall Marathon Entry and Accommodation travel package. An additional $200 per person is required when booking Extension Tours.

All prices are in Australian dollars and subject to change at any time, without notice, before final payment is made.

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