{"id":2839,"date":"2023-04-02T20:27:20","date_gmt":"2023-04-02T20:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marathontours.co.uk\/?post_type=events&p=2839"},"modified":"2026-04-27T16:13:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:13:14","slug":"the-great-wall-marathon","status":"publish","type":"events","link":"https:\/\/marathontours.com\/en-gb\/events\/the-great-wall-marathon\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Wall Marathon, Half & 8.5K"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":2842,"template":"","event_types":[141,138,137],"event_locations":[120],"event_distances":[143,127,126],"event_course_types":[136],"event_seasons":[38],"class_list":["post-2839","events","type-events","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","event_types-adventure-marathons","event_types-half-marathons","event_types-marathons","event_locations-asia","event_distances-adventure-marathon","event_distances-half-marathon","event_distances-marathon","event_course_types-adventure","event_seasons-spring"],"acf":{"event_hero_image":11882,"event_logo":16449,"event_logo_background":{"enable":false,"background_colour":"#FFFFFF"},"event_status":"pre-register","event_status_labels_available":"book-now","event_status_labels_waitlist":"waitlist","event_status_labels_off_sale":"sold-out","event_waitlist_button":{"link_option":"anchor","":null,"external_link":null},"event_additional_buttons":null,"event_book_button":{"link_option":"anchor","":null,"external_link":{"title":"On Request","url":"https:\/\/marathontours.com\/en-gb\/contact\/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20359664568&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIksbj5rHijgMV9ZdQBh0gxwGAEAAYASADEgJSSPD_BwE","target":""}},"event_extra_button":"","event_overview":"

Run 5,164 steps into history!<\/h2>\r\nWith breath-taking views and challenging climbs, the Great Wall Marathon 2026 is a once-in-a-lifetime event.\r\n\r\nThe course winds along the stunning Great Wall at Huangyaguan, passing through local villages where residents cheer you on, providing the motivation needed for the hilly terrain and the demanding final ascent of 5,164 steps.\r\n\r\nBut this experience goes beyond the race itself. It\u2019s an adventure shared with fellow running enthusiasts, friends and family. It\u2019s an opportunity to immerse yourself in Chinese culture, discover this incredible country, meet its people and savour the local cuisine.\r\n\r\nThat\u2019s why the marathon is part of an entry package, combining the classic sights of Beijing with the breath-taking natural landscapes beyond the city.\r\n
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\r\n\r\nWe offer a variety of durations, so you can select the perfect package to suit your adventure with us.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nWe will beat any price in GBP, so you can feel confident booking at the best possible price.\u00a0Get in touch<\/a>\u00a0with our team for more details.\u00a0<\/strong>","event_overview_button":"","event_feature_icons":null,"event_features":{"meals_included":{"detail":"Meals as stated in the itinerary","title":"Meals Included"},"guide":{"title":"Guide","detail":"English-speaking guide"},"transfers":{"detail":"Airport arrival transfers and ground transportation as per the itinerary","title":"Transfers"},"trip_extension":{"title":"Trip Extension","detail":"Optional 3-day Terracotta Army & 6-day Avatar Mountains Extension"},"accommodation":{"title":"Accommodation","detail":"Select from standard and deluxe accommodation options "},"entry":{"title":"Entry","detail":"Guaranteed race entry is additional"},"celebration_party":{"detail":"Group celebration dinner ","title":"Celebration Party"},"excursions":{"title":"Excursions","detail":"A collection of comprehensive sight seeing tours to choose from"},"helping_hand":{"title":"A Helping Hand","detail":""},"worldwide_events":{"title":"Worldwide Events","detail":""},"medal_bling":{"title":"Medal Bling","detail":""}},"event_gallery":[{"acf_fc_layout":"event_gallery_image","image":11888},{"acf_fc_layout":"event_gallery_image","image":11883},{"acf_fc_layout":"event_gallery_video","youtube_video":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X0dQkXEp7-8"},{"acf_fc_layout":"event_gallery_image","image":11892},{"acf_fc_layout":"event_gallery_image","image":11887},{"acf_fc_layout":"event_gallery_image","image":11890}],"event_packages":[{"package_title":"Qingsongling & Beijing | Five-Night Package","package_duration":"5 Nights","package_dates":"13 \u2013 18 May 2026","package_days":[{"day_title":"Wednesday 13 May 2026","day_content":"(Please note: This package is not<\/span> hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff)<\/em><\/strong>\r\n\r\nArrive at Beijing International Airport (PEK)<\/em> 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.\r\n\r\n(No meals included today)<\/em>"},{"day_title":"Thursday 14 May 2026","day_content":"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.\r\n\r\n(Breakfast and lunch included)<\/em>"},{"day_title":"Friday 15 May 2026","day_content":"Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace before tomorrow\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.\r\n\r\n(\u00a395 per person, booked in advance)<\/em>\r\n\r\n(Breakfast and dinner included \u2013 lunch is included with the Qing Tombs tour)<\/em>"},{"day_title":"Saturday 16 May 2026","day_content":"RACE DAY!\r\n\r\nAfter 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.\r\n\r\n(Boxed breakfast and sandwich lunch included)<\/em>"},{"day_title":"Sunday 17 May 2026","day_content":"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)<\/em>:\r\n