Running The Great Wall of China
by athena goodlight on 11/04/10 at 3:32 am
For the traveling athlete, running a half-marathon on the largest fortification and biggest battlement of the world may just be the exhilarating fitness adventure you’re looking for.
image source
The rulers of the Ming Dynasty have probably never even dreamt that athletes would someday race along its ramparts when they built it five centuries ago. Running a half-marathon on the largest fortification and biggest battlement of the world may just be the exhilarating fitness adventure you’re looking for. Every year, for more than a decade now, the Great Wall Half Marathon, held in May, with its 1,800 stairs midway in the route, could possibly be one if not the most unique course you may ever run. It’s not all knee-bashing steeps. Located in Huangyaguan, two hours north of Beijing, the course includes four miles of the wall, then heading down onto flat gravel roads and loops through rice paddies and small farming villages. Kathy Loper, whose outfit organizes Great Wall Marathon trips says, “Running the wall is certainly amazing, but it’s the people who make you feel like you’re someone special…In the villages, everyone comes out to cheer.”
Because of the expected steep climbs on the wall, add thirty minutes to one hour to your normal half-marathon finishing time. Even though you may not notch a personal record on the first take, you have still earned your time to enjoy the views from the top of the wall.
Tom Holland, a multiple Ironman Triathlon finisher and endurance coach advises, “It may only take six weeks to get ready for a half-marathon, but this isn’t just any course. The hills on the Great Wall are total thigh-busters.”
Holland’s tip for the race day is, “Take it easy on those steep downhills. In races like this, it’s not the uphills that kill you, but the pounding on your joints and muscles from going down that does you in.”
Travel advisory:
If budget permits, upgrade to first class on all intra-China travel so you don’t arrive kinked and miserable at the start line. You may return to Beijing after the event for a hotel stay and further cultural exposure and shopping.
Liked it
Petalm
Apr 11th, 2010
Sounds wonderful, I’d love to go there.
drelayaraja
Apr 11th, 2010
Wonderful share
Jimmy Shilaho
Apr 11th, 2010
Can it be accomplished? A good entry.
Shamyl
Apr 11th, 2010
Great fitness idea. Good share.
giftarist
Apr 11th, 2010
A nice run we have.
Christine Ramsay
Apr 11th, 2010
Wow! that must be an experience of a lifetime. A great article.
Christine
emmahaynes
Apr 11th, 2010
Oh Wow, what a great place, thanks so much for the share Athena
yes me
Apr 11th, 2010
Sadly my running days are over but a nice place to walk I dare say.
cheers Anthea
Starpisces
Apr 11th, 2010
I enjoy reading this. I was there in 1997 with a whole of people and our group climbed the furthest I think, no choice, I had to follow them, very very tiring, especially coming down the steps (usually up more tiring but this one is opposite). However, we were very satisfied.
I remember that time when we were back to Singapore, most of us lost weight.
pearl2010
Apr 11th, 2010
Amazing scenery. For sure I enjoy to run if and reach this beautiful place.;)
Citra Florenca
Apr 11th, 2010
It’s one of the country I want to visit before I die. I want to see the wall and the forbidden city so bad!
Purnomosidhi
Apr 11th, 2010
Wonderful place.. Interesting Article. I am going to visit it.
monica55
Apr 12th, 2010
Very Fascinating! This is another place I must see before I die.
Excellent share.
Monica.
K V Venkataramana
Apr 12th, 2010
Really interesting article.
ronthoughts
Apr 12th, 2010
another one from a good writer, Athena!
God bless dear!
Frances Lawrence
Apr 12th, 2010
I reading enjoyed this article. The wall must be an amazing sight.
Snooky
Apr 12th, 2010
Just the thought of this is a blast. Thanks for the experience
Melody SJAL
Apr 12th, 2010
What an experience.
LoveDoctor
Apr 12th, 2010
I think it can be accomplished. Like with any sport, you have to start by training and getting in shape. It sounds like quite an experience but it takes a lot of determination, perseverance and commitment. Excellent article and very well-written.
Uma Shankari
Apr 12th, 2010
Very interesting.
shovelhead13
Apr 13th, 2010
Sounds like this place looks good enough to keep the required adrenaline rising.
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Apr 13th, 2010
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Adam Henry Sears
Apr 13th, 2010
I think it would be great even to just walk on the Wall. That would be one destination on my list of must-visits. Thanks for sharing.
mikafata
Apr 13th, 2010
I would like to visit it! I like your article!
ajkajk2014
Apr 13th, 2010
I JUST GOT BACK FROM THERE!! Check out my content for more pics
Val Mills
Apr 13th, 2010
What an amazing experience that must be. If I could afford to, I’d love to walk parts of the Wall.
silentbob14
Apr 13th, 2010
I’d love to visit that place ;]
Rana Sinha
Apr 14th, 2010
That would be really interesting. Thanks for sharing the information.
Littlekid137
Apr 14th, 2010
I would soo enjoy doing something like that. I’ll have to remember this and look into it.
Sharif Ishnin
Apr 16th, 2010
The Chinese emperor really missed out on a really great workout routine. It’s just right under his nose.:)
Authoress Terry E. Lyle
Apr 16th, 2010
Great article in conjunction with your pictures….That have to be a real workout trying to run the great wall.
pluny
Apr 16th, 2010
i neverd been to the great wall of china before…
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Apr 16th, 2010
wow~
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Great Wall of China
Apr 23rd, 2010
Nice Post! China’s most legendary and massive structure, If we sum up all the branches of Great Wall is 8,851.8 km, The Wall of China, wiggles sporadically from its dispersed remnants in Lianing toward Jiayugaun province in Gobi Desert.
LV Bags
May 18th, 2010
i neverd been to the great wall of china before…
Bruce Officer
Nov 20th, 2010
That would really be something to take part in.