The Great Wall of China Marathon and Half Marathon is simply one of the experiences of a lifetime! With 7 km of the route on the incredible Wall and the remainder through beautiful mountain villages and along magnificent country trails you'll be experiencing a UNIQUE marathon of incredible proportions.
THE RACE
You'll run 7 km on the Great Wall itself, taking in some 3.5km near the start and again near the finish - while negotiating the giant steps of The Wall at the start is tough enough, trying to negotiate them near the finish on tired legs is something else altogether! The rest of the route is through stunning mountain scenery on good tracks and asphalt roads, which along with the high temperatures you can expect, make this marathon or half marathon a true test - most marathoners expect to be over 1 hour slower than their road times. This is a race for everyone, there are no time limits and the course remains open with full back up support until the last runners' finish - to check-out the results from previous years and a full overview and a full range of pictures of the race visit www.great-wall-marathon.com.
The minimum requirement to obtain an entry into the event is to take one of the travel packages offered by OFFICIAL AGENTS, or join us on the special UK package on the next page.
(Note: For the packages on the Great Wall website we apply an exchange rate US$1.64/£1 plus £25 administration and banking fee)
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
TRAVEL
This is a special package for British runners and has been prepared to include all the highlights of a visit to Beijing and Jixian as well as the activities of the race.
ITINERARY
Mon 10th May: Departures from London Heathrow on the overnight flight to Beijing departing on BA39 at 16.35
Tue 11th May: Arrive in Beijing at 09.30 and meet our English speaking guide for the transfer by coach to Beijing. As we can't check-in to the hotel before 3pm we will visit the Lama Temple and have lunch before transferring to your hotel, the newly refurbished Dong Fang Hotel a superior 3-star located in the heart of the city and a short walk from Tianamen Square. The first days itinerary is only available for those arriving on the BA flight. If you arrive on independently booked flights you will be transferred straight to the hotel. Dinner on your own this evening.
Wed 12th May: American style breakfast at the hotel, then join your guide for the drive to Tian An Men Square and visit Moa's Tomb then walk on to The Forbidden City. After an included lunch visit a Silk 'factory'. Dinner on your own this evening.
Thu 13th May: Collect a breakfast box for the early departure to The Great Wall, arriving at the Great Fort at 8am and the course inspection (packed lunch). On arrival at Jixian check into the 3-star Ji Xian Yuyang Hotel for 2 nights. Chinese dinner at the hotel.
Fri 14th May: American style breakfast then visit the Qing Tombs and a local flea market on the way. Chinese style lunch. In the afternoon walk to the Dulesi temple and the local shops of this provicial town. Tonight there will be a pasta dinner at the hotel.
Sat 15th May: Early breakfast before the transfer to the race start - Full Marathon starts at 7.30am. After the race lunch items are available. Once all of our runners have finished our coach will depart back to Beijing with a stop for an 'Imperial Dinner' on the way to the Dong Fang Hotel.
Sun 16th May: American style breakfast and then a short coach ride to the famous Silk Street Market where you can bargain for a wide range of goods from designer labels to chinese traditional silks. Lunch on your own at the Silk Market and then transfer to the superb Summer Palace where you can walk and relax in the grounds around the lake. Tonight join us for the Gala Dinner with champagne on arrival. There will a shuttle bus back to hotels or there will be an opportinity to join the other runners at a bar or disco afterwards (returning under your own steam).
Mon 17th May: American style breakfast and the morning at leisure. Lunch not included. In the afternoon join us for sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. In the early evening enjoy the Chinese Acrobats Show followed by a final dinner of the classic Peking Duck.
Tue 18th May: After your American style breakfast transfer by private bus to Beijing Airport for the return BA flight leaving at 11.25, arriving in Heathrow at 15.20.
Or depart for one of the extension packages below.
TOUR EXTENSIONS
OPTION 1: XI'AN & TERRA COTTA ARMY
18 May: Depart from your Beijing Hotel today for the flight to Xi'an. On arrival visit the City Walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Overnight in 4-star hotel in Xi'ian for 2 nights. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
19 May: Vist the Terra Cotta Army then enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing Show at Shaanxi Opera House. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
20 May: Day at leisure then take the overnight sleeper train to Beijing with a shared 4-berth compartment. Breakfast.
21 May: Arrival in Beijing early morning and transfer to Airport for flight home.
OPTION 2: SHANGHAI
18 May: Transfer to Beijing Station for overnight sleeper train to Shanghai sharing a 4-berth compartment. Breakfast.
19 May: Early morning arrival in Shanghai and transfer to your 3-star central hotel for breakfast. Visit to the top of the Jinmao Tower to see the incredible birds eye view of Shanghai. Visit Yuyuan Bazaar, Huangpu River Cruise tour and evening Acroboatics show. Overnight in 3-star central hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
20 May: Full day excursion in Suzhou including Master of Nets' Garden, Old Water Gate, City Wall at Panmen and the old water surrounding Tongli. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
21 May: Free day to explore Shanghai. Breakfast.
22 May: Transfer to Shanghai airport for return flight to UK.
OPTION 3: YANGTZE CRUISE + XI'AN & TERRA COTTA ARMY
May 18: Transfer to Beijing Airport for the flight to Yichang. Transfer to your 5-star Cruise Boat. Breakfast and dinner.
May 19-21: Three day luxury cruise on the Yangtze with shore excursions. All meals included.
May 22: Arrive at Chongqing. Transfer to airport for flight to Xi'an and transfer to your 4-star hotel for the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 23: Vist the Terra Cotta Army then enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing Show at Shaanxi Opera House. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
May 24: Sight seeing on the City wall and transfer to airport for the flight to Beijing. Transfer to Don Fang Hotel for overnight. Breakfast.
May 25th: Transfer to airport for return flight to UK.
OPTION 4: XI'AN - GUILIN - GUANGZHOU - HONG KONG
18 May: Depart from your Beijing Hotel today for the flight to Xi'an. On arrival visit the City Walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Overnight in 4-star hotel in Xi'ian for 2 nights. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
19 May: Vist the Terra Cotta Army then enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing Show at Shaanxi Opera House. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
20 May: Morning at leisure then transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin. Transfer to your 3-star overnight hotel in Guinlin. Breakfast and dinner.
21 May: Li River cruise tour and arrival in Yangshou. Transfer to your 4-star hotel and evening at Comorant Fishing Show. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
22 May: Cycle to Moon Hill, sightseeing and cycle back to Yangshuo. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
23 May: Transfer to airport for flight to Guangzhou. On arrival sightseeing of Chen Clan Temple, Sanmian Island, food market. Take train to Hong Kong. Check-in to 4-star central hotel in Hong Kong. Breakfasst and lunch.
24 May: Free day in Hong Kong.
25 May: Independent transfer to Airport for return flight to UK.
OPTION 5: LANZHOU - LHASA - XI'IAN & TERRA COTTA ARMY
18 May: Transfer to beijing Airport for the flight to Lanzhou. Transfer to lanzhou City for lunch and city tour. Transfer to railway station for overnight sleeper train to Lhasa. Breakfast and lunch.
19 May: Evening arival in Lhasa and transfer to your 3-star hotel for 4-nights. Dinner.
20 May: Sightseeing in Lhasa - Jokhang Temple, the Bazaar of the Barkhor Street and Norbulinka. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
21 May: Sightseeing in Lhasa - Potala Palace and Sera Monastery. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
22 May: Free day in Lhasa. No meals included.
23 May: Transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Xi'ian. Transfer to 4-star hotel for 2-nights. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
24 May: Visit to Terra Cotta Army and City Wall. Evening at Tang Dynasty Dancing Show. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
25 May: Flight to Beijing and transfer to Dong Fang Hotel. Breakfast.
26 May: Transfer to Beijing Airport for return flight to UK.
It is possible for you to travel on in China or visit Hong Kong. You can organise your own internal travel and simply inform us of the date you require for your return flight so we can book it for you (there may be a supplement for varing your return from the group booking - cost will be quoted at time of booking).
Note: The optional add-on tours do not include any additional costs of flights due to later departures from Beijing than the standard package date, or departure back to the UK from other airports if the tour ends outside of Beijing
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
