The Great Wall Marathon 2014

1,748 people ran on the Great Wall in 2013 - will you join us in the Great Wall Marathon 2014?

How to take part in 2014 Great Wall Marathon

Step 1: Download 5 PDF documents and read carefully;

Itinerary for 5 nights      Price for Itinerary 5 nights
Itinerary for 6 nights      Price for Itinerary 6 nights
Runner's registration

Step 2: Contact us. We will work together for fix a complete proposal for you.

Recommended Itinerary

For Marathon Runners and their families
This 6-day / 5-night itinerary is one of the two ways to participate in one of the world's most amazing marathon experiences - The Great Wall Marathon. This itinerary is primarily aimed at runners who want to participate in the marathon, but friends and family are welcome to accompany runners. This tour combines seeing the capital city of Beijing with a stay in rural Jixian / Pinggu located in the vicinity of The Great Wall Marathon venue. The town Jixian / Pinggu offers the charm of like in a small town as well as fairly modern and comfortable hotel facilities, and is a wonderful place to explore a different side of China. A fluent English-speaking guide will escort the group throughout the sightseeing tours.

Day 1: Wednesday May 14, Beijing

Welcome to China
Welcome to amazing China and the city Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China. You arrive in a modern and bustling airport that reflects the energy of contemporary China. Our Great Wall Marathon (GWM) staff will receive you at the airport and help you get to your hotel, as this package includes an arrival transfer. After checking in, check the hotel notice board to get your tour guide’s name and phone number. Great Wall Marathon information packs will be handed out by your tour guide, call the guide if you can’t see him/her. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
No meals are included on this day.

Day 2: Thursday May 15, Beijing Great Wall Marathon Inspection & Jixian / Pinggu

A closer look at Beijing will have to wait three more days, as we will be heading for The Great Wall of China. Today your dream of climbing the Great Wall will come true. We will leave Beijing at 06:45 am (breakfast box prepared by the hotel will be handed out by your guide if the hotel can’t serve buffet breakfast this early) and head northeast to "our section" of the enormous Great Wall at Huangyaguan. Very few tourists find their way up to this remote place, despite the rich range of possibilities here. All runners must walk the 3.5 km of the wall that is part of the Great Wall Marathon course to familiarize themselves with the route. Non-runners are also welcome to partake in this walk, though good physical condition is required. A sandwich lunch will be served and after lunch we will go straight to our hotel in the small town of Jixian / Pinggu, situated approximately a 45-minutes drive away from Huangyaguan. The town has few sites, but lots of local folklore that a visitor would never get to experience in Beijing. The rest of the afternoon is spent at your own leisure and that night, we will enjoy typical local dishes for dinner. Please remember to check out of your hotel before leaving Beijing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on this day.

Day 3: Friday May 16, Jixian / Pinggu

Relaxation in Rural China with tour option and Dinner with extra noodle/rice Today is a good day to relax and take in the local atmosphere of rural China. The warm and friendly Chinese in this area are not so used to foreigners, and their curiosity is a tourist attraction in itself. There is an opportunity to participate in the optional tour of Jixian and its most famous monuments.

At night, a dinner with extra noodle/rice will be held for everybody.
Breakfast and dinner are included this day.


Day 4: Saturday May 17, Jixian
The Great Wall Marathon

Today is the big day. We get up early in order to have breakfast, and will leave Jixian / Pinggu at 05:20 am to head for Huangyaguan and the 7:30 am start of the 2014 Great Wall Marathon. The reason we start early is to avoid the daytime heat and humidity. Running in the early hours of the morning is much nicer, and will definitely improve your running time. The Great Wall Marathon is an official international marathon timed by the Champion Chip system. All participants who complete the race within 8 hours receive a medal. However, it should be emphasized once again that the main aim of this challenge is to have fun and finish the race. Times are of minor importance and there are no prizes to be won. Sandwich lunches are provided for everyone. Between 12 am and 4:30 pm, busses will take runners back to Beijing as they fill. 20 minutes massage on site is included after race. Remember to check out of the hotel in the morning, as we will go to Beijing at the end of this day. Breakfast and lunch are included on this day.

Day 5: Sunday May 18, Beijing Beijing at leisure with tour options and Celebration Dinner

Today is for runners to sleep in, recover and take it easy. You can shop at Silk Alley, or fill your senses with sights and sounds of Beijing, the street vendors, the crowds, the bicycles or the colorful banners. A day program is not included so Sunday is a good day to explore Beijing and its markets on your own. Don't forget to take a package of matches or a business card from the hotel, so you can show it to a taxi driver to get back in case you get lost. However, for people who prefer more planned activities, there is a choice of participating in two optional tours of Beijing and in this way exploring the most famous attractions in Beijing.

At 6:30 pm, all participants - runners and non-runners alike - are picked up from the hotel and taken to the banquet prepared to celebrate your triumph run over the Great Wall. Busses will be serving all hotels between 9:30 pm. and 10 pm. For the very fit who do not want to spend this celebratory night in bed, one of Beijing's great nightclubs will be awaiting us with dance music and colorful cocktails until the break of dawn. Dress code for the evening: No shorts or sandals! Breakfast and dinner are included on this day.

Day 6: Monday May 19, Beijing

Bags packed with sweaty running gear and unforgettable memories, we are ready to return home. Depending on your departure time, you will have the day for shopping or a final visit to one of the many sights of Beijing. You need to check out before 12:00 noon. Departure transfer to airport / railway station is not included in the package price. Breakfast is included on this day.

History of the Great Wall Marathon

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