Great Wall Marathon, Half & 8.5K 2025

The Terracotta Army – 20th – 22nd May (3 Days)

Visit the bustling city of Xi’an – home to the famed terracotta sculptures, an expansive city wall, and more. Travel from Beijing to Xi’an on the famous Bullet Train, a sleek and long airplane-shaped high-speed train, which travels up to 300 km per hour. Stay at the Grand Dynasty Hotel, located right at the edge of the distinctive Muslim Quarter in Xi’an.

Prices from $1,555

Avatar Mountains – 20th – 22nd May (6 Days)

See otherworldly rock formations, caves, and mountains – including the mountains that inspired the movie Avatar! The next chapter of your journey through China starts with an evening flight from Beijing to Zhangjiajie in China’s Hunan province. Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, we will drive directly our 4-star hotel for check-in. From here you will explore the Tianmen mountains. Full itinerary available before booking.

Prices from $3,545

The Great Wall Marathon 2025

Beijing | Six-Night Deluxe Package: May 14 – 20, 2025

(Please note: This package is hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff)

Features:

• Six nights at the five-star Kempinski Hotel Beijing
• All hotel taxes
• Airport arrival/departure transfers (specified days and times)
• Welcome Reception
• Sightseeing with an English-speaking guide for planned activities
• Entrance to activities as outlined on the itinerary
• Pre-race inspection and Briefing
• Transfers to/from the race
• Guaranteed Race Entry & Race packet (Marathon/Half Marathon & Fun Run entry) 
• Post-race massage (offered by the race)
• Meals per the itinerary
• Gratuities and tips (for included meals and for guides/drives on included tours)
• Services of Marathon Tours & Travel Staff

Not Included:

• International flights to/from China
• Gratuities and tips (not outlined under Package Features)
• Incidentals
• Travel Insurance
• China VISA

Beijing | Five-Night Comfort Package: May 14 – 19, 2025

Important Notes:

This package is NOT hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel but by local representatives with no dedicated Australian representation.

Features:

• Two (2) Nights in Jizhou & Three (3) Nights in Beijing Downtown Hotel (standard rooms)
• Activities as outlined on Itinerary
• Pre-race inspection & briefing
• Post-race massage (offered by race)
• Guaranteed Race Entry & Race packet (Marathon/Half Marathon & Fun Run entry) 
• A comprehensive information packet and guidebook for the Great Wall Marathon event, which includes detailed maps and day-by-day descriptions.

Not Included:

• All activities that are listed as optional.  Please note these must be booked in advance.
• International flights to/from China
• Gratuities and tips (not outlined under package features) 
• Arrival/Departure Airport Transfers 
• Incidentals
• Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
• China VISA

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Arrival Airport Transfers
To qualify for airport Meet & Greet services and transfers:

1) You must be booked on one of the following packages:

• Three City with Yangtze River Cruise Thirteen (13) Night Package
• Beijing & Xi’an Seven (7) Night Package
• Beijing Six (6) Night Deluxe Package

2) You must arrive into Beijing International Airport (PEK) on May 14 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Departure Airport Transfers
Return airport transfer to Beijing International Airport on May 20 will be planned with a morning and an afternoon departure option.  For those continuing to Xi’an, your return airport transfer is included and will be scheduled to correspond with the group flight. If you require transfers outside of these times, private transfers can be arranged at an additional cost of $130 /pp each way.

The Five Night Beijing Comfort Package does NOT include airport transfers.  You can book an airport transfer for $70 per person each way.

IMPORTANT: Your passport should be valid for six (6) months after your last expected day in China. You should have at least two full pages available in your passport.

A China Tourist Visa may be required to travel to China.

Rates (all prices per person and in AUD)

Race Date: May 17th​, 2025

Race Time: 7:30 AM

Time Limit:

The course time limit is eight (8) hours. There is also a six (6) hour cut-off at 34K for the Marathon. Runners must reach this point within six hours in order to continue.

The Course:

All distance events in The Great Wall Marathon start from Yin and Yang Square in the old Huangyaguan fortress and begin along the same route. Immediately reaching Jinwei Highway, the route leads south for 1km before turning left on to Changcheng Highway. At this point, you are on the road leading to the Great Wall entrance and will face a 4km uphill climb. After completing the first 5km of your respective distance, you will meet the first of many steps! The next 3km are run on the Great Wall of China itself, including 1km around the magnificent fortress walls. Just before the 7km mark you face a 700m long section with a steep descent on the infamous “Goat Track”.

Once you’ve rounded the fortress walls and passed the 8km mark, you will find yourself back at Yin and Yang Square. Fun Run runners have now completed their race and head straight to the finish line in the center of the square. Marathon and half marathon runners can take in some energy from the cheering spectators before heading south again following the river to the Duanzhuang village. At 13km the route crosses the river and the half marathon route now turns left to explore more of the village while the marathon route heads south towards the township of Xiaying.

At km 16 marathon runners exit Xiaying town and find themselves on the Maying Highway going east passing fields and farmland for 1.5km. Taking a sharp left turn towards the tiny Dongjiafen village, the route now heads north. The 20km mark is the beginning of a 6km long loop, passing through the village of Qingshanling. Exiting the loop section at the 26km mark, the next kilometer leads up to the Chedaoyu village with a steep ascent.

Back in Duanzhuang village the marathon route merges with the half marathon route again. Marathon runners have now passed the 29km mark while half marathon runners have 5km to the finish line. Crossing back over the river, runners follow the Jinwei Highway back north to the Yin and Yang Square. Entering the square, half marathon runners go straight for the finish line while marathon runners turn right and up the steps to face the Great Wall a second time!

*All marathon runners who have not reached the steps leading to the wall (34km) within 6 hours of the start will not be allowed to continue.

On the fortress’ north wall, marathon runners head east crossing the bridge leading to the “Goat Track”. At the foot of the hill, just before getting off the bridge, a wrist band is handed out as proof that the wall section has in fact been run twice. Runners now climb the 700m ascent before conquering the Great Wall from west to east. Once the steps have been passed the final 5km are downhill to the Yin and Yang Square and the finish line – congratulations, you have completed the Great Wall Marathon and 5,164 historic steps!

Route Logistics & Supplies:

Kilometer signs are placed at each kilometer along the route. The signs are color coded according to the distance they represent. The signs will also indicate the equivalent distance in miles.

Timing mats will be strategically placed on the route to ensure that all runners complete the distance they are registered for.

Water stations will be positioned along the route at approximately every 4 kilometers. Some stations will also serve energy drinks and bananas and provide wet sponges. Personal supplies can be deposited at selected drinks stations.

For more information, have a look at the route map (above).

While running on the Great Wall, please make way for faster runners and keep to the right. Please note that the route is not closed off for traffic. Although traffic is not heavy, take care when running on main roads and look out for vehicles.

There will be water stations at approximately every 4 kilometers along the route. Some stations will also serve energy drinks and bananas. All stations provide bottled water. Marathon runners will be offered energy gel after 26km and 35km.

Temperature:

Expected temperatures range from 61F to 95F degrees. Humidity is high while running in the valleys.

Difficulty:

Difficult. The wall section consists of steps of varying height, width and some steps are made of brick. Extra precaution should be taken when running this part. A few places on the wall section see no steps at all, but instead a ramp of rocks and concrete. These ramps can be slippery and extra attention must be paid to your footing! In some of the villages the surface is gravel and dirt roads. More information on Race website here.

Start & Finish:

All three distances start and finish in Yin & Yang Square at the fortress of the Huanyaguang section of the Great Wall in Tianjin province.

The race will start in waves with 10-minute intervals. You will be assigned to a wave based on the running time you provide on the entry form. You must start in the wave to which you have been assigned. Runners who are assigned to separate waves, but want to start together may do so by going to the wave corresponding to the higher number. Fun Run participants will start together in the last wave. Final details about the number of waves and start times will be announced in the Runners’ Guidebook, which will be handed out in the goodie bag.

The finish line for all distances is located at the center of Yin & Yang Square. All runners will receive a medal after crossing the finish line. Results will be posted at Yin &Yang Square during the race.

Final results will be published on this website here: https://great-wall-marathon.com/results

Lunch will be served at the designated area. You must present your coupon to collect your lunch. This coupon will be provided in your Goodie Bag as part of your Great Wall Marathon entry ticket package.

A limited number of cold showers are available in the neighboring courtyard of Yin & Yang Square. Please bring your own towel, if you plan to shower before heading back to Beijing.

A massage service is available at the entrance of Yin & Yang Square. You will receive a coupon for one free massage in your Goodie Bag.

Bus coaches back to Beijing will depart from the bus parking lot from 12:00-16:30. The coaches will only leave when full.