🇨🇳Huangyaguan, China
Great Wall Marathon
Expected May 2027
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
1440 m
Terrain
Mixed
Entry type
Open entry
PB potential
Extremely challenging — focus on finishing, not a PB
Beginner friendly
Recommended for experienced runners only
About this race
The Great Wall Marathon is arguably the world's most iconic and photographed marathon — a brutal course that includes 5,164 stone steps along unrestored sections of the Great Wall north of Tianjin, through remote Yanshan Mountain terrain that sees virtually no other tourists. The route ascends and descends steep, eroded wall sections twice, crosses 26 km of village paths through rural Hebei Province corn and millet fields, and passes through villages where children cheer runners with Chinese flags. With 1,440m of total elevation gain, this is not a traditional road marathon — most runners take 5–8+ hours. It is run for the bucket-list experience: to be on the Wall, alone, running through one of history's greatest structures. Capped at approximately 2,500 participants.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
18–27°C
Humidity
45–65%
Conditions
North China May — warm and clear, occasional haze
Wind
10–20 km/h mountain breeze
Entry information
Next edition date estimated — confirm exact date with the official site.
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