WELCOME TO CHINA
Travelling Fit has been an Official International Travel Partner for the Great Wall Marathon since 2001, and we are pleased to be able to offer you a host of Travelling Fit exclusive packages for the Great Wall Marathon and Half Marathon
The Travelling Fit Exclusive Packages are organised by Travelling Fit, meaning we have more control of what goes on whilst in Beijing. It also gives you, the client, the opportunity to travel with other like-minded Australians travelling with us as part of a unique group.
We have our own private coaches, our own private guides and our own private tours, meaning you get a tailored experience rather than a generic holiday.
For personalised Travelling Fit fully hosted tours (recommended) please refer to the Exclusive Travelling Fit Packages. In summary, the exclusive packages are as follows:
- Exclusive Package 1 – Great Wall Marathon – 6 Days/5 Nights – Beijing
- Exclusive Package 2 – Great Wall Marathon – 7 Days/6 Nights – Beijing
Please note that hotels in China are not always to Western Standards
Important Notes:
- Budget Packages 1 & 2 are NOT hosted by Travelling Fit but by local representatives with no dedicated Australian representation.
PLEASE NOTE:
An AUD $80 discount applies to all bookings received no later than 30 November 2025.
- Package IncluSIONS
ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- 5 or 6 Nights’ Accommodation:
Check in: Tue 12 or Wed 13 May 2026
Check out: Mon 18 May 2026 - Breakfast Daily
- Great Wall Marathon Course Inspection including sandwich lunch and transport (Thu)
- Sandwich Lunch on Race Day (Sat)
- Celebration Dinner post Marathon Event (Sun)
- All other meals as per your itinerary
TRAVELLING FIT EXCLUSIVE PACKAGES – ADDITIONAL INCLUSIONS:
- Return airport Transfers to/from Beijing (12 or 13 May and 18 May only)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Tour including traditional Peking Duck Lunch – Travelling Fit Exclusive Package 2 only (Wed)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Pre-Marathon Group Dinner Asian Style (Fri)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Supporters can join the Travelling fit representatives to cheer on the runners (Sat)
exclusive to Travelling Fit supporters - Travelling Fit Representative on site and available for questions
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Great Wall Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
The Great Wall Marathon is not just a race; it is a moment that will live with you forever! Nowhere else can a marathoner run over one of the world’s most famous landmarks, through picturesque villages and alongside China’s own rice fields.
Stage 1: Great Wall ascent and the infamous “Goat Track”
No matter what race type you choose, all runners complete the same 8.5km to start the race.
Commencing at Yin and Yang Square within the ancient Huangyaguan fortress.
Participants commence the race along Jinwei Highway, travelling south for the first kilometre.
The route then takes a turn onto Changcheng Highway, leading runners into a challenging 4 km ascent towards the entrance of the Great Wall. This uphill path tests endurance early in the race.
Upon reaching the 5 km mark, the course transforms as runners meet the iconic steps of the Great Wall. A captivating 3 km stretch on the wall itself includes a loop around the fortress walls, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into China’s rich history.
The course then introduces a dramatic change at the 7 km point with the ‘Goat Track’, a 700 m steep descent back towards Yin and Yang Square.
After rounding the fortress walls at the 8 km point, fun runners end their race in Yin and Yang Square while the half marathon and full marathon runners continue south towards Duanzhuang village.
Stage 2: Enjoy the scenes towards Duanzhuang village
The next 4.5 km follows a picturesque route along the river towards Duanzhuang village. This stretch offers a scenic run, with views of the river and surrounding landscapes. It’s a chance for participants to appreciate the rural tranquillity of the region.
As they approach the 13km mark, the course takes the runners across the river. This is where the half-marathon runners and full-marathon runners route splits into 2.
Half-marathon runners turn left to complete a 4 km loop through Duanzhuang village while full marathon runners continue south towards Xiaying.
Both the full-marathon and half-marathon participants reunite just before the village at the 16 km half marathon mark.
Stage 3: Great Wall – Round 2
Once the half marathon and full marathon routes reunite, the runners cross a bridge back to Jinwei Highway. From there, they begin to run back towards Yin and Yang Square.
This is where half-marathon runners finish their race and head straight for the square.
Testimonials
Race Information
Entry Fees
The entry fee for the Great Wall Half Marathon is incorporated into the price of the package you choose and cannot be purchased independently.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times for the Great Wall Half Marathon.
Note that all participants in the Great Wall Half Marathon must be 16 years of age on race day.
Start Time
The Great Wall Half Marathon starts at 7:30am (to be confirmed). Please note that those runners that are staying in Beijing will need to check with their tour leader as to specific wake up times in order to ensure that they do not miss their bus to the start.
Cut-Off Times
The cut-off time for all distance events is 8 hours. All runners with a net finishing time slower than 8 hours will receive a FNT (Finished No Time) on the result list.
At 14:00 (6 hours after the last runner in wave 4 has crossed the start line) the gate leading to the wall will be closed. Runners who have not reached the gate at this time will not be allowed to finish.
At 16:00 (8 hours after the last runner in wave 4 has crossed the start line) the Great Wall Marathon ends.
Runners still on the route will be picked up by a race official car and taken to the finish area.
Race Timing
The Great Wall Half Marathon will be timed using BibTag technology to ensure that all finishers are accurately timed.
All runners will receive two bib numbers and both must be worn during the race. The large bib must be attached to the front of your body and the small one on the back. They are colour-coded according to the distance you are running.
Race Packets
T-Shirts and Race information (including race numbers and your Great Wall personalised BibTag) will be handed out to you by your tour leader once you reach your hotel.
Pace Setters
There are no official pace setters in this event.
Aid Stations
There will be water stations at approximately every 4 kilometres along the route. Some stations will also serve energy drinks and bananas. All stations provide bottled water.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
No personal drinks are able to be left out on the course
It is possible to deposit bags with personal items for use after the race. Luggage can be stored in the designated luggage area at the Yin and Yang Square.
Please mark your bag clearly with your name and bib number. To avoid unnecessary queuing on the morning of race day, please mark your luggage before entering Yin and Yang Square.
Although the luggage area is manned, depositing personal belongings in the area is entirely each runner’s responsibility and the Great Wall Marathon organisers are not responsible for loss or damage of personal belongings.
TRANSPORT
Transport to the Great Wall and from the Great Wall is provided as part of your overall package.
Expo
There is no Expo as part of the Great Wall Marathon although there will be various stalls setup at the start/finish area to purchase merchandise.
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All competitors will receive the official race t-shirt. All finishers will receive a Medal as they cross the finish line and Certificates will be emailed to all competitors after the conclusion of the event.
Weather Conditions
The average May temperature in Beijing is between 16°C/61°F and 35°C/95° however the temperature out at the Great Wall will be cooler.
Light-coloured clothing, short-sleeve technical shirts are a good choice as sweat is not absorbed (like cotton), sun block is a must (use SPF30 or above), a running hat with visor is also advisable as it can help keep the sun out of your eyes.
Other Events
8.5k run/walk
Marathon
