Great Wall Marathon, Half & 8.5K 2026
Run 5,164 Steps into History
With breathtaking views, and challenging climbs, the Great Wall Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Since its inception in 1999, it has been revered as one of the world’s most challenging marathons. In 2022, Runners World UK listed it as one of the best races in the world (hand-picked by a panel of athletes and experts).
Run the most demanding marathon of your life along one of mankind’s greatest monuments.
Exclusive access: Once packages are ready, Seven Continents Club®? Members will first receive exclusive access to choose their preferred package. The remaining available packages will then be sent to the other pre-registered customers to choose and secure before packages and entries open online for general sale.
Seven Continents Club®? membership not only allows you first choice but provides you with the many benefits and discounts on our events. Get all of the details and join the club here.
Please note the sale of race entry only is not permitted. Packages can be sold with or without race entry. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Meals Included
Meals as stated in the itinerary
Guide
English-speaking guide
Transfers
Ground transportation as per the itinerary
Trip Extension
Add on Day Tours or extended itineraries
Accommodation
Select from standard and deluxe accommodation options
Entry
Add On Guaranteed Race Entry
Celebration Party
Excursions
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Tuesday, May 12
(Please note: This package is not hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff)
Arrive at Beijing International Airport (PEK) at your convenience and make your own way to your hotel in Beijing. Transfer to the hotel is not included, but look out taxi and shuttle details will be provided before your travel. After checking into your hotel, check out the notice board to find your tour guide’s name and number.
Enjoy your first evening in Beijing at leisure.
(No meals included today)
Wednesday, May 13
Today our day begins at the historic heart of Beijing—Tiananmen Square—before stepping into the majestic world of the Forbidden City. After a morning immersed in imperial history, you’ll enjoy a classic Beijing experience with a delicious lunch featuring the city’s famed Roast Duck. The afternoon unfolds with a visit to the serene Temple of Heaven in southern Beijing, followed by an intriguing stop at a local silk exhibition hall to explore the artistry behind one of China’s most treasured crafts.
Alternatively, you could join the optional excursion to the Acrobatic Show where you can watch an inspiring display of breathtaking stunts and gravity-defying performances by a troupe of talented acrobats. (£65 per person, booked in advance)
Thursday, May 14
Following an early breakfast, we will kick off with the 3.5km route inspection. Before checking out the race route, you will receive a race briefing and introduction.
All runners must walk the 3.5 km section of the Wall, which forms part of the Great Wall Marathon 2026 course. It is crucial to familiarise yourself with this section to incorporate it into your race strategy. Non-runners may participate in this strenuous walk, though good physical condition is required.
After the walk, a sandwich lunch will be served.
Following lunch, enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Friday, May 15
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace before tomorrow’s race! Explore the local area or join an optional tour to the Ming Dynasty Tombs. (£85 per person, booked in advance)
(Breakfast included and lunch included with excursion)
Saturday, May 16 - RACE DAY
RACE DAY!
We will depart early for the Great Wall Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8.5K fun run. The race begins at 07:30AM. After the race, enjoy a sandwich lunch and a 20-minute massage.
Tonight, dinner is at your leisure.
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Sunday, May 17
Today is your recovery day! Sleep in, relax, or join the optional Hutongs by Rickshaw tour through Beijing’s historic hutongs. (£69 per person, lunch included, must be booked in advance).
In the evening, all participants will be collected from their hotels for the Celebration Dinner.
(Breakfast and dinner included – lunch included on optional tour)
Monday, May 18
Depending on your departure time, you may have the opportunity for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Beijing. Please note that departure transfers are not included in this package. The hotel front desk can assist with arranging a taxi to the airport, please check in with them in advance.
(Breakfast included)
(Itinerary subject to change)
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Wednesday, May 13
(Please note: This package is not hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff)
Arrive at Beijing International Airport (PEK) at your convenience and make your own way to your hotel in Beijing. Transfer to the hotel is not included, but look out taxi and shuttle details will be provided before your travel. Enjoy your first evening in Beijing at leisure.
(No meals included today)
Thursday, May 14
Following an early breakfast, check out of the Beijing hotel and transfer to the Great Wall for a mandatory inspection of the on-Wall route. Both runners and spectators will visit the Great Wall and receive race details. All runners must walk the 3.5 km section of the Wall, which forms part of the Great Wall Marathon 2025 course. It is crucial to familiarise yourself with this section to incorporate it into your race strategy. Non-runners may participate in this strenuous walk, though good physical condition is required. After the race briefing, your tour leader will arrange a transfer to your hotel in Jizhou, located 45-60 minutes from Huangyaguan Great Wall, where you will spend the next two nights.
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Friday, May 15
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace before tomorrow’s race. Explore the local atmosphere of Jizhou, Tianjin, or join the optional excursion to the Qing Dynasty Tombs. These impressive tombs house five of China’s emperors, 14 empresses, and 136 concubines, covering an enormous area. Despite being more impressive than the Ming Dynasty graves, the Qing tombs are less frequently visited. Lunch is included with the optional tour.
(£95 per person, booked in advance)
(Breakfast and dinner included – lunch is included with the Qing Tombs tour)
Saturday, May 16 - RACE DAY
RACE DAY!
After an early breakfast, depart from Jizhou at 05:00AM. You must check out of your hotel room as we will return to Beijing after the race. The race begins at 07:30AM. After the race, enjoy a sandwich lunch and a 20-minute massage. Buses will transport runners back to Beijing between 12:00PM and 16:30PM. Check into your hotel and relax with your fellow runners for the evening.
(Boxed breakfast and sandwich lunch included)
Sunday, May 17
Today is your recovery day! Sleep in, relax, or explore the Silk Market for some shopping. You may choose from two optional excursions (must be booked in advance):
- The “City of Emperors” tour takes you to the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Silk Exhibition Hall (£85 per person, lunch included)
- Alternatively, the “Hutongs by Rickshaw” tour (£69 per person, lunch included) offers a rickshaw tour through Beijing’s historic hutongs. In the evening, all participants will be collected from their hotels for the Celebration Dinner.
(Breakfast and dinner included – lunch included on optional tours)
Monday, May 18
Depending on your departure time, you may have the opportunity for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Beijing. Please note that departure transfers are not included in this package. The hotel front desk can assist with arranging a taxi to the airport—please check in with them in advance.
(Breakfast included)
(Itinerary subject to change)
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Extensions
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The Terracotta Army | 18 May – 20 May 2026
Embark on a captivating 3-day tour of Xi’an, a dynamic city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and iconic landmarks like the Terracotta Army.
Get the bullet train to Xi’an, check into your 2-night stay at the Grand Dynasty hotel and enjoy an evening stroll throughout the historical Muslim quarter and local food market. The following day, visit the Terracotta Army and enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing Show. After a final night in Xi’an, take the bullet train back to Beijing where guides will help you finding an airport transfer marking the end of the tour.
Included
- Bullet train to/from Beijing – Xi’an
- 2-night accommodation
- 3 x breakfast, 1 x lunch, 1 x dinner
Prices from £889
Avatar Mountains | 18 May – 23 May 2026
Discover the breathtaking beauty of China’s Avatar Mountains on a 6-day guided adventure
From the towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to the mystical Tianmen Mountain and the charm of ancient Fenghuang Town, this immersive tour blends natural wonders with cultural gems. Enjoy seamless travel, comfortable 4-star accommodation, and expert guidance. Whether you’re chasing cinematic landscapes or authentic village life, this unforgettable journey has it all.
Included
- Domestic flights & second class train ticket
- 5-night accommodation
- 6 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 3 x dinner
Prices from £1,485
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Packages & Rates
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The Great Wall Marathon 2026
Beijing | Six Night Package: 12 May – 18 May 2026
Please note: This package is NOT hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel but by local representatives
Included:
- Six (6) nights at a hotel in Beijing (standard rooms)
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Activities as outlined in the itinerary
- Meals as outlined in the itinerary
- Transportation as outlined in the itinerary
- English speaking guide.
- Comprehensive information pack and guidebook.
We reserve the right to change the hotel booked if necessary, but we will always ensure that the replacement is of the same or higher standard. While it is never in our interest to alter hotel arrangements, unforeseen circumstances may require us to do so.
Not Included:
- International flights to and from China
- Visa for China (may be required for some passport holders)
- Airport transfers.
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- All activities that are listed as optional. Please note these must be booked in advance.
- Gratuities and tips
- Personal expenses
- Beverages
- Race entry (Can be purchased at an additional cost)
- Anything not mentioned under ‘inclusions’
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.
Australian Passport Holders may be able to travel Visa Free, but please check based on your Passport Nationality, if a China Tourist Visa may be required before departure.
2026 Rates (all prices per person and in AUD)
Beijing | Six-Night Comfort Package: May 12 – 18, 2026
This package is NOT hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel GWM4 - Hotels: Jianguo Qianmen HotelDouble or Twin Share Single 6 Night Package $3,198 $4,243 Entry & Optional Day Excursions Per PersonFull Marathon Entry $235 Half Marathon Entry $235 8.5K Fun Run Entry $117 Acrobatic Show (13MAY26) $129 Ming Tombs (15MAY26) $177 Hutongs by rickshaw (17MAY26) $145 Extensions
These extensions are NOT hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel but by local representatives with no dedicated Australian representation. 2 PEOPLE IN ROOM 1 PERSON IN ROOM Avatar Mountains $3,198 $3,760 The Terracotta Army $1,915 $2,155
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Hotels
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Choice of Hotels
For the standard 6-day package, participants have a choice of accommodation: standard, comfort, or deluxe hotels. For the 7-day package, there is a choice between two comfort hotels (based on location) and a deluxe hotel. In general, guests should expect the standard hotels to be clean and basic, with no added amenities. The comfort hotels will have limited amenities, while the deluxe hotels are more similar to name-brand Western hotels.
Please note that, in general, the standards in Chinese hotels are different than those of Western hotels. This may be apparent in aspects such as stiff mattresses or limited restaurant offerings.
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Event Information
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Race Date: 16 May 2026
Race Time: 07:30AM
Course: This demanding course includes 5,164 steps on the Great Wall at Huangyaguan, which includes steep up and down portions. More than six kilometres of the full marathon are run on the Great Wall. All other races are on the Great Wall for about three kilometres. Most of the course runs through the small farmlands and villages of Tianjin Province. Many runners/walkers opt to carry a camera during their event and not be concerned about their finish time. For many, this is an experience of a lifetime, not a race!
Temperature: Expected temperatures range from 16°C to 35°C degrees. Humidity is high while running in the valleys.
Entry: All entries include a pre-race inspection tour of the course, race t-shirt, pasta dinner, transportation from your hotel to the start, return transportation back to your hotel and a sandwich lunch after the race.
Your entry is guaranteed after receipt of a completed tour application form and deposit by check.
Time Limit: The course time limit is eight hours. There is also a six hour cut-off at 34K for the Marathon. Runners must reach this point within six hours to continue.
Difficulty: Difficult. The wall section consists of steps of varying height, width and some steps are made of brick. 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.
For more information click here
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Registration & Booking
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On Request bookings
Request Bookings will confirm that you have accepted our Booking Conditions. Your booking is not, however, guaranteed until our partner company confirms availability. Please expect confirmation of place within 1-3 days of making your booking. Your card payment details will still be required for the deposit to secure your space, though please be advised this information will be held securely, and the card will only be debited upon confirmation of booking.
Disclaimer
Albatros Adventure Marathons reserves the right to change the itinerary and/or running course without further notice in the event of extreme weather.
By signing up for this event you agree to the Terms & Conditions.
Visa
Please note that it is each traveler’s responsibility to check visa and passport requirements and ensure that they comply. Obtaining a passport and, if required, a visa, is solely the responsibility of each traveler. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from your destination.
Run China Visa-Free: Currently it’s possible to enter China Visa Free for many nationalities – Australian Passport Holders Click Here for more information
Room Options
If you are a solo traveller and choose a shared double room when booking, we will pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If you prefer to have your own room, choose single room. A single supplement will apply.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is an essential part of any holiday you take, and we highly recommend that you purchase suitable insurance for your trip.
Transfers
The following arrival transfer times to Jizhou, Tianjin are included in the package price:
07:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00
It is possible to purchase a private transfer if your plane arrive later than 22:00 (minimum 1 hour should be estimated to get through immigration and customs) or do not want to wait in the arrivals hall for the set transfers.
To make sure everybody have room on the transfers you must provide us with your arrival flight details no later then 4 weeks prior to your arrival.
If you arrive to Beijing by other means of transportation than flight it is your own responsibility to make it back to PEK or PKX to catch the set transfers to Beijing city centre, but again we need to know which transfer you then want to go on.
There will be Great Wall Marathon representatives in the arrivals hall during the set transfer time hours to welcome you and show you to the bus.
Clothing
Light-coloured clothing, and short-sleeve technical shirts are a good choice as they do not absorb sweat (like cotton, which remains wet), sun block is highly recommended (use SPF30 or above), a running hat with visor is also advisable as it can help keep the sun out of your eyes.
Weather
In May, spring is in its prime with sunny, blue skies and lush, green vegetation lining the Great Wall. In recent years, the weather during The Great Wall Marathon has been somewhat unpredictable, varying from a low of 16°C/61°F to a high of 35°C/95°F. On average, the temperature is around 25°C/77°F. Rain is unusual during the race, but can occur. Be prepared for high humidity.
Distances
The Great Wall Marathon features three distances:
Full marathon – 42.195km/26.2mi
Half marathon – 21.1km/13.1mi
Fun Run – 8.5km/5.5mi – a non-competitive run also on the Great Wall
Distance Change
It is possible to change the distance you want to run up to 10 days before the race starts. All you need to do is contact us with your request.
If you want to change your distance while on tour, contact a Race Official after the briefing on Inspection Day. You must bring your original race number!
Change of distance is NOT PERMITTED on Race Day.
Age limits
Full marathon runners must be at least 18 years old on race day.
Half marathon runners must be at least 16 years old.
Fun Run participants must be at least 12 years old on race day.
Fun Run participants under the age of 12 are also welcome, so long as they are accompanied by a runner aged 16 or above
Awards and medal
All finishers receive a medal. A small, symbolic prize is given to the winners of both distances for men and women. Please note that there is no prize money.
Start / Bib number
You will receive your start/bib number in the race goodie bag.
All runners will receive two bib numbers and both must be worn during the race. The large bib must be attached to the front of your body and the small one is for your back. The bib numbers are color-coded according to the distance you are running.
The bibs are color coded according to your chosen distance:
– Full marathon bibs – black
– Half-marathon – red
– 8.5km Fun Run – green
Please do not bend or fold the bibs as the timing chip inside may break. Marathon and half marathon bibs are also marked with a wave number. On race day, please go to the start wave corresponding to the wave number on your bib.
Goodie Bag
Upon check-in at your hotel, you will receive a goodie bag containing your start/bib number, official race T-shirt, Runners’ Guide and tickets for the Inspection and Race Days and the gala dinner. If you don’t receive your goodie bag at check-in, it will be given to you on Inspection Day. Local runners pick up their goodie bags at our Beijing office. Details will be provided upon registration.
Your bib number is a tool for race directors to tell hundreds of runners apart, made of a plastic-like material, which you pin on your body. It facilitates tracking individual progress and ensuring everyone’s safety. It also serves as a memento for you to remember this unique experience.
Time Taking & Results
Final details about start times will be announced in the runner’s guidebook that you will receive upon arrival in Beijing. The Great Wall Marathon is timed with a bib chip timing system.
Results will be posted at Yin and Yang Square during the race. Final results will be published on this website at: https://great-wall-marathon.com/results.
Medical Team
On Race Day, a team of Danish doctors and Chinese paramedics will provide medical assistance to runners in need. The Medical Team reserves the right to remove any runner who is deemed unable to complete the race. Please note that all decisions made by the Medical Team or Race Officials are final.
Doctors and race officials will be positioned along, and move in and out of, the route, but will not be able to monitor all parts at all times. We kindly ask all runners to look out for each other and report to race officials, water stations or doctors if you see a fellow runner in need of help.
If you take daily medicine prescribed by your physician or need any other medication, please inform Marathon Tours and Travel in advance.
Merchandise
During Inspection Day and Race Day, a variety of exclusive Great Wall Marathon merchandise can be purchased at the start and finish area in Yin & Yang Square in Huangyaguan.
Additional information regarding the selection of available merchandise (such as Finisher Shirts, running jackets, caps, and more) and acceptable forms of payment will be provided in the Runners’ Guide. This guide book is your go-to source for important information. It will be available online in the weeks leading up to The Great Wall Marathon and a print copy will be provided in your goodie bag.
Personal Supplies
It is possible to deposit bags with personal items for use after the race. Luggage can be stored in the designated luggage area at the Yin and Yang Square. Please mark your bag clearly with your name and bib number. To avoid unnecessary queuing on the morning of race day, please mark your luggage before entering Yin and Yang Square.
Although the luggage area is manned, depositing personal belongings in the area is entirely each runner’s responsibility and the Great Wall Marathon organisers are not responsible for loss or damage of personal belongings.
Race Officials
English-speaking race officials from Albatros Adventure Marathons are in charge of the event. The race officials reserve the right to change the course and other aspects of the race without advance notice.
Please note that all decisions made by the race officials and/or medical team are final.
By signing up for this event you agree to the Terms & Conditions of Albatros Adventure Marathons.
Rules & Regulations
Change of Distance: If you decide to change distance during the race, ie. if a half marathon runner decides to follow the marathon route instead of the half marathon route, he or she will receive a medal but not an official time. The race result will read FNT (finished no time). The same applies for a marathon runner who changes distances during the race. All runners who change distances before race day will be registered accordingly and receive an official time.
Top Finishers: The top three male and female finishers of all distances are the first three to physically cross the finish line regardless of their net time.
Gear: Nordic walking and trekking poles are not allowed.
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