The Great Wall Marathon® is a tough, beautiful and extraordinary running experience. The 5164 steps of the Great Wall section will put your physique to the test, and the breathtaking surroundings of Tianjin Province will compete with your tired muscles for attention. This is a tough but fabulous marathon and there are no words to describe how you feel on the Wall on the second visit if you are doing the full marathon - once completed you really will have conquered the 'Wall', physically and m…
The Great Wall Marathon® is a tough, beautiful and extraordinary running experience. The 5164 steps of the Great Wall section will put your physique to the test, and the breathtaking surroundings of Tianjin Province will compete with your tired muscles for attention.
This is a tough but fabulous marathon and there are no words to describe how you feel on the Wall on the second visit if you are doing the full marathon - once completed you really will have conquered the 'Wall', physically and metaphorically. It is the ideal way to combine an unusual running experience with a visit to one of the world's most astonishing sights.
In recent years there have been a number of running events held on, or near, the Great Wall. To avoid any confusion The Great Wall Marathon® is the original race that has been run since 1999.
How to Run in the Great Wall Marathon
The Great Wall Marathon is an international event that attracts 2000 runners mostly travelling from outside of China.
The portion of the Great Wall used for the event is fairly remote from Beijing but our travel options place you in Jinxian for the nights before the race. Jiaxian is a provincial town just 30 min drive away from the wall and it is well worth a visit to sample a more rural China.
To gain entry to the Great Wall Marathon (unless you have a Chinese work permit) it is necessary to join one of the organised tour options offered to us by the Chinese Tour Operators - once you are on the tour you are in the race.
2:09 Events have been the UK's appointed travel company for the GWM for over 20 years and we know the event exceptionally well.
Take on the Dragon Double
Make this a double Adventure by combining the Great Wall Marahon with the Thunder Dragon Marathon or Half Marathon in Bhutan - double up on a Great Wall Marathon package and receive a great deal on our 6-night Thunder Dragon Marathon package inside the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.
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We have two escorted travel options to run the Great Wall Marathon for a 5 or 6-night duration. The first option is based in two locations: Jixian and Beijing while the second option is located entirely in Beijing. Within each trip there are two further options based on the standard of hotel: Comfort or Deluxe. We will notifiy you of the precise hotels at a later stage.
We recommend the 5-night package which means less travelling back and forth between Beijing and Jixian and is certainly a better race day experience. That said Beijing is a fabulous city for an extended stay and some people prefer to stay in one hotel throughout.
TRAVEL OPTION 1: 5 Nights: Jixian/Beijing
Tue 11 May: Departure from the UK
Depart from the UK on your own flights to Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX) airport
Wed 12 May: Arrival and transfer to Jixian
Arrive in Beijing this morning. Great Wall Marathon representatives will meet you in the arrival halls and guide you to the shuttle bus to Jixian, which will run at set transfer times (07:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00). It takes about an hour to celar customs and baggage reclaim. If you are unable to book a flight that matches the set transfers, you arrive after 22:00 or you don't want to wait up till 2 hours, an individual transfer can be purchased.
After checking-in at your hotel in Jixian your Race Pack will be handed out by the guide. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Jixian.
Meals: Not included. Overnight in Jixian
Thu 13 May - Route inspection day
Today, is Inspection Day! An important event for you to inspect the part of the route along the Great Wall and prepare yourself mentally for the challenge ahead. Race officials and medical staff will be present to answer any questions you may have.
After breakfast we board our bus at the hotel and head to the Great Wall of Huangyaguan - a bus ride of 45-60 minutes. All runners are expected to walk the 3.5km section of the wall that is part of the marathon, half-marathon and 8.5k Fun Run course. Non-runners are also welcome, although good physical condition is required.
A sandwich lunch will be served after the walk on the Wall. Once the group is gathered again we head back to Jixian and have the afternoon free to explore the town.
Meals: Breakfast and sandwich lunch. Overnight in Jixian
Fri 14 May: Jixian - Day at Leisure
Today is a good day for relaxing before the big race day tomorrow.
Take in the local atmosphere of Jixian, or go on the optional excursion that takes visitors to Qing Dynasty Tombs. The tour includes lunch.
Tonight dinner in your hotel is included with additional rice and noodle dishes.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included (lunch is provided for those going on the optional excursion). Overnight in Jixian
Sat 15 May: Race Day
Today is the big day! After an early breakfast, we'll leave Jixian at 5:00am and head to the race venue in Huangyaguan.
Please remember to check-out of your hotel room in Jixian, as we will leave for Beijing at the end of the day.
After an aerobics warm-up and speeches by local officials, the race will start at 7:30am.
Sandwich lunches will be provided for everyone in the finish area. A 20-minute massage on site is included after the race.
Shuttle buses will take runners back to Beijing between 12 and 4:30pm.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch. Overnight Beijing
Sun 16 May: Beijing - Day at Leisure
Today is a day of recovery. Sleep in, relax, do a bit of shopping in the Silk Alley or fill your senses with the sights and sounds of Beijing.
Two optional excursions are available today. Please note, these must be purchased prior to your arrival in China. Take in classic Beijing highlights with the City of Emperors tour or visit the giant panda and Summer Palace on the City of People tour.
In the evening, we all gather for the big celebration dinner. All participants will be picked up at their hotels and taken to the party venue tonight.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included (lunch is provided for those going on an optional excursion). Overnight Beijing
Mon 17 May: Departure Day
Depending on your departure time, you might be able to do some last-minute shopping or take in more of Beijing's sights.
Hotel check-out is at noon.
Please note that the departure transfer is not included in the package but can be pre-booked at an extra cost.
Meal: Breakfast
TRAVEL OPTION : 6 Nights Beijing
Mon 10 May: Departure from the UK
Depart from the UK on your own flights and join the tour in Beijing.
Tuesday 11 May: Arrive Beijing
Arrival to Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX) airport.
Transfer buses are available throughout the day and leave for the city with 30-45 minute intervals. Look for "The Great Wall Marathon" sign in the arrivals hall and our representatives will show you to the bus.
After checking in to your hotel, check the hotel notice board to confirm your tour guide's name and phone number. Goodie bags will be handed out by the guide. If you don't receive your goodie bag today, it will be given to you on Inspection Day.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore Beijing.
Meals: Not included
Wed 12 May: included excursion Forbidden City / Optional Excursion 1 Acrobatics Show
A visit to Beijing is not complete without seeing the city's three most famous landmarks, so today features a classic sightseeing tour.
The first stop of our day's exploration is Tiananmen Square from where we continue to the Forbidden City and spend the rest of the morning there. As we exit the Forbidden City it's time for lunch, which will be a delicious local speciality - Beijing roast duck.
After lunch we continue our sightseeing tour with a stop at the beautiful Temple of Heaven. The last stop of the afternoon will be a visit to a silk exhibition hall, where a large variety of silk products can be purchased.
In the evening we head out for dinner. Afterwards an optional acrobatics show is available for purchase, but must be pre-booked in advance to secure seats. Enjoy a fantastic evening out and watch a spectacular performance by talented acrobats.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner Overnight Beijing
Thu 13 May - GWM Site Visit
Today, is Inspection Day! An important event for you to inspect the part of the route along the Great Wall and prepare yourself mentally for the challenge ahead. Race officials and medical staff will be present to answer any questions you may have.
Our day will begin early in the morning as we board our bus and head to the Great Wall for route inspection. Breakfast will be served as a breakfast box that can be enjoyed on the 2.5 hours drive to the Huangyaguan Great Wall, which is our race venue.
All runners are expected to walk the 3.5km section of the wall that is part of the marathon, half-marathon and 8.5k Fun Run course. Non-runners are also welcome, although good physical condition is required. A sandwich lunch will be served after the walk on the Wall.
Once the group is gathered again we will drive back and arrive in Beijing around 5pm. The rest of the evening will be at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and sandwich lunch. Overnight Beijing
Fri 14 May: Jixian - Day at Leisure
You have the day in Beijing to get mentally prepared for tomorrow's race in the way you want. Go shopping, enjoy one of Beijing's many parks, find a nearby spa or simply relax in your hotel room - the choice is yours.
You also have the choice of joining the optional excursion to the Ming Tombs.
This excursion departs in the morning and heads for the Ming tombs in a valley south of the Tianshou mountain, about 50km west of Beijing. Thirteen out of the sixteen Ming emperors were buried in this peaceful valley.
Make sure you get an early night because you will be up early on race day.
Meals: Breakfast (lunch also included if you book the Ming Tombs tour) Overnight Beijing
Sat 15 May: Race Day
Today is the big day!
Breakfast boxes will be handed out before we leave for Huangyaguan at 3:30am. The race starts at 7:30am.
Sandwich lunches will be provided for everyone at the race site.
Buses will be ready to take runners back to Beijing between 12 and 4:30pm. A 20-minute massage on site is included after the race.
Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight Beijing
Sun 16 May: Beijing - Day at Leisure
Today is a day of recovery. Sleep in, relax, do a bit of shopping in the Silk Market or fill your senses with the sights and sounds of Beijing.
If you want to make the most out of your visit to Beijing you can join today's excursion and see the giant panda and the Summer Palace.
In the evening, we all gather for the big celebration dinner. All participants will be picked up at their hotels and taken to the party venue tonight.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included (lunch is provided for those going on the optional excursion)
Mon 17 May: Departure Day
Depending on your departure time, you might be able to do some last-minute shopping or take in more of Beijing's sights. Hotel check-out is noon.
Please note that the departure transfer is not included in the package but can be pre-booked at an extra cost. See prices for details.
Meals: Breakfast
Or make this a double Adventure with the THUNDER DRAGON Marathon Bhutan - double up on a Great Wall Marathon package, fly to Bangkok (not included), overnight at a Bangkok Airport hotel (included), next morning join the early morning flight (included) to Bhutan for the 6-Night Himalayan Kingdom Marathon package. On the last day choose to fly back to Bangkok (supplement) or to Kathmandu (included).
GREAT WALL MARATHON - THUNDER DRAGON MARATHON TWIN CENTRE HOLIDAY
This fabulous trip combines running the Great Wall Marathon or Half Marathon with the Thunder Dragon Marathon in Bhutan - a chance to see to experience two very divergent cultures; the hustle and bustle of China with the tranquillity of the tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. China is one of the most populated countries in the world, and Beijing one the biggest cities, after your run on the Great Wall transfer to Bhutan, which is the size of Switzerland but with a population of just 750,000 and run in the beautiful Paro Valley, where the population is a mere 7,000.
Mon 17 May: Depart Beijing on a flight to Bangkok (not included)
Overnight at the 4-star Airport Novotel.
Tue 18 May: It is a short walk to the airport terminal for your early morning flight to Paro (Bhutan). Arriving late morning you will be met by our local guides for the drive over to Punakha, which lies in a magnificent valley, via Dochu La Pass where, if it is clear you can see many 6000m peaks (drive time approx 3hrs). Afternoon sightseeing in Punakha; visit the Devine Mad Monks Temple (Temple of Fertility) and the remarkable Punakha Dzong, which is the past home to the King of Bhutan.
Meals: Lunch, dinner. Overnight Punakha
Wed 19 May: Today we start our acclimatisation activity with a hike to Soela Gompa via Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. This hike is approx 15km at moderate difficulty with about 1hr that is a bit more challenging, The descent is fairly gentle, and in total it will take around 8hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight Punakha.
Thu 20 May: Drive to the capital city of Thimphu (2 1/2hrs). Hike up to Buddha Point and the giant seated Buddha, see Bhutan's national animal at the Takin Reserv and continue to Thimphu Dzong and craft workshops. After lunch drive on to Paro (1hr) visiting the National Museum with the chance to hike part of the marathon route before visiting Paro Dzong.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight Paro.
Fri 21 May: Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers Nest) 6hrs. On the way back visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang Monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight Paro.
Sat 22 May: Free time for shopping in Paro. Race day briefing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight Paro.
Sun 23 May: It's race day
Early breakfast before the 8.30am start of both races. There will be light refreshments or lunch after the run but it may depend on how long you are running for.
Celebration dinner and Cultural show at Olathang Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner. Overnight Paro.
Mon 24 May: Fly out to Bangkok or Kathmandu. Tour ends.
Based on standard class hotels in Bhutan - all meals in Bhutan included - bed and breakfast in Bangkok.
ADD-ON TOURS IN CHINA
You can extend your stay in China and visit other areas of the country - the most popular is to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Army but you can visit other regions - full details on the following but briefly:
The Terracota Army
Xi'an – home to one of the largest burial monuments in the world; the Terracotta Army. This bustling city is the oldest of the “Four Great Ancient Capitals” of China, having witnessed several of the great Chinese dynasties including the Qin, Han and Tang.
Mon May 17 Beijing to Xi'an
We begin our journey 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. Upon arrival in Xi'an, we will check in to the Grand Dynasty Hotel, located right at the edge of the distinctive Muslim Quarter, a haven for snack lovers. The tour leader will take us on an evening stroll through this bustling part of the city.
The Muslim Quarter, known for its peculiar architecture, has structures designed with the styles of both the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but has been inhabited by Muslims for many generations, providing a rich combination of cultures to this area and the sight of over ten mosques. In its market, run by the locals, you will find all sorts of dried fruits, breads and cakes, many restaurants, and stalls of exotic food and snacks.
Meals: Breakfast
Tue May 18 Terracota Army
2,200 years ago, the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di commissioned the creation of an estimated 8000 clay warriors, an army that would protect him in the afterlife. These clay statues, together with terracotta acrobats and bronze figures of swans and other birds, are unlike anything discovered before. During our second day, we will visit this location; learn about the intricate process of restoration, involving unprecedented modern medical technologies.
In the afternoon, we will take a bike ride on the city wall, a National Historical and Cultural site, created by the Ming Dynasty to fortify Xian, and which has impressive moats, watchtowers, corner towers and covers a total of 14km.
In the evening we visit the Tang Dynasty dancing show, one of the main attractions of Xi'an and a proud representative of Chinese entertainment; a vibrant and colorful performance which is accompanied by great Cantonese delicacies.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Tang Dynasty dancing show.
Wed May 19 Return to Beijing
Our visit to Xi'an is now over, so we will have a morning transfer to the train station, and from there, take a bullet train once again heading towards Beijing, where we will arrive in the afternoon, marking the end of our tour.
Once there, transfer to the airport is not included, but taxis are plentiful. We recommend you book your flight after 19:00 (7:00 pm), to ensure you have enough time to get from the train station to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
| PRICES PER PERSON IN £'S | TWIN OR DOUBLE ROOM | SINGLE ROOM |
|
5 NIGHT PACKAGE Jiaxian/Beijing Comfort Deluxe |
£1369 £1559
|
£1629 £1965 |
|
6 NIGHT PACKAGE Beijing Comfort (Central) Comfort (Downtown) |
£1229 £1559 |
£1535 £1965 |
|
DEPOSIT PER PERSON |
£300 |
£300 |
Additional Optional items:
XIAN - TERRACOTTA ARMY ADD-ON TOURS
OPTION 1: XIAN BY RAIL - 4 DAYS
SINGLE £499 TWIN £449
OPTION 2: XIAN BY AIR - 3 DAYS
SINGLE £799 TWIN £699
DRAGON DOUBLE/THUNDER DRAGON MARATHON ADD-ON TOUR
SINGLE £2755 TWIN £2435
ADDITIONAL DEPOSIT FOR THUNDER DRAGON ADD-ON £300
Flights UK-Beijing-Bangkok-UK are not included. .
Flights Bangkok-Paro-Bangkok are included.
Thunder Dragon Marathon Entry £180
For further information email 2:09 Events on info@209events.com
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