May 6, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Great Wall Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Great Wall Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 36 [displaying comments 31 to 36]
|
B. T. from Southern California, USA
(5/28/2004)
 "A marathon which I bonded to totally" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Great Wall Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 There are too many elements of this marathon to list. I mainly came away with great feelings of love, for my fellow runners, for our Chinese hosts, and for the blessing of being able to run on the Great Wall. There were 'a thousand acts of kindness' as one runner gave aid to another. There was never a question that I would not qualify for Boston on this run, but finishing was the greatest reward in my slowest time ever! And the love and fulfillingness that all the runners shared can be compared to no other event I have ever participated in. In the future, race organizers should require every marathoner to carry a brick with them up the wall to help rebuild those portions which need it. In a few thousand years, the wall will look like new. Also, on inspection day, I think marathoners should walk the wall as they will on the second run. It is definitely more difficult than the first run on the wall. Thank you for a wonderful experience, and I may do it again some day. | |
|
T. M. from San Francisco, Beijing
(5/24/2004)
 "A great experience, but race details suffer" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 This is one great experience. Lots of Kodak moments, a once in a lifetime opportunity. I did not do the tour package, only the race. All the big sites and experiences you want are there, but the actual race managment seemed a bit runner unfriendly. First busses leave at 3:00AM and no coffee or breakfast can be found. Pre-race bathrooms are Chinese style (holes in the ground with no toilet paper). Electrolytes at only one aid station. Only bananas at two aid stations and at finish (no oranges, bagels, Gatorade). No gels. Only modest sandwiches for lunch. Cameramen in busses all over course, creating hazards and fumes for runners. No shade, time clocks or care instructions at the finish. This is a tough race (I ran 5:40 to place in top third, normal time is 3:45) and the lack of runner care seemed a bit odd. Would do it again in a minute though. Just be prepared. | |
|
Jeff Malone from China
(5/24/2004)
 "A GREAT Wall Marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Great Wall Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and had never either watched or attended any similar sporting event. I was amazed and thrilled with the entire event. The buses were generally organized and comfortable. Although the ride to the event makes it a long day (you have to be on the bus at 2:45 am) it makes the event unique and allows you to make some new friends on the way. Once at the Great Wall, the organization and energy level were wonderful. Pretty much everything was taken care of. The actual start of the marathon was actually the most confusing part as it started a little late and you couldn't hear any instructions being given as to what to do. We just figured when the guy in the front starts running, follow him. Once running, it was marvelous. The course is as beautiful as it is grueling. Electrolytes could have been provided at more locations so bring some of your own in gel form or other. The last trip up the wall at 21 miles is the most difficult thing I've done in my life. Straight up a 1000-foot mountain face to get up to the Great Wall so I could start climbing it up and down. For a while I lost confidence in my own judgement. Once off the actual wall, there is a final 3-mile run down an asphalt road. It was really enjoyable running down it all the way to the finish. Good sandwiches and refreshments at the end included in the price. Also, nice hot showers you didn't have to wait all day for. Bring your own towel and soap. Brought family with me for the event. Unfortunately they do not make it cheap for family to attend as I had to pay $50 a piece for a 3- and 4-year old just to show up at the event. Regardless, I encourage anyone to join in on this one. | |
|
Bill Abendroth from Portland, OR USA
(6/11/2002)
"If you're reading this, you must run this marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I cannot tell you what it was like to travel from Oregon, USA, to China--and run a marathon at the Great Wall. More beautiful than I can put into words. This is a tough marathon, and the finishing times reflect that. Plan on adding a third again to your regular time. The Wall section is about three miles, but you cover it twice. The steps are sometimes very large, and almost always very steep. The rest of the marathon is through a few countryside villages. Legions of little kids stand by the road, all yelling 'Hey-Low! Hey-low!' slapping hands with runners, and laughing. But it is very hot & dry. You *must* wear a hat with a brim, and bring lots of sun screen. Bring a water bottle, You'll need it. I don't remember seeing sports drink on the course, so bring that as well. The tour is organized by a Danish Group (whose name I can't remember now), and they did a wonderful job. I love contemporary chinese history, so saw the Square, Mao's Tomb, and the Great Hall of the People. We also saw the Forbidden City, Summer Palace--almost everything in that week. Beijing is still a third world city (Westerners can't drink the tap water), but I was surprised at how modern & bustling it was. Very, very few signs of the Party, and almost every kind of shop you can imagine. Few people actually speak English, but most restaurants had english menus (bad English, but readable). While not everything was perfect (the 'opera' was a bad parody of bad dinner theater, the food was surprisingly uneven, the Novetel Peace is **not** a four star hotel), this was still the best vacation I have ever had. As for the htoels--try to stay at a hotel close to the Square. That is where all the action is. And one of the best parts of this tour is that you're grouped with runners all over the world. My group had several Australians, Canadians, an ex-pat American, a crazy Dane, and some nice Americans--a very lucky draw for me. One final note: this marathon is also surprisingly inexpensive, especially considering what it involves. It is very affordable. Besides--I went from a PR of 4:11, to running a 6:47 at The Wall. Cowabunga! It was worth it. Go to the website, and read about the course......Look at the photos.....and register. | |
|
A Runner from San Diego, California
(1/2/2002)
"Awesome - like a dragon draped over the mountains." (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Great Wall section of the course, with steps ranging in size from tiny to huge and not easily runable, was breathtaking in terms of history and scenery. Not many spectators but the villagers were friendly and enthusiastic. Hopefully, the Danish race organization has learned a lot from the 2001 event to make the 2002 event run smoother, but just in case they haven't, runners should bring lots of snacks for during and after the race and memorize which direction to go each time they loop through the start area. I finished the half marathon option and considered it a great adventure with no aspirations of a PR that day. Overall - a great experience. | |
|
A Runner from Beijing - China
(6/21/2001)
"Great Wall Marathon is a BIG word" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Although this marathon advertises with 'probably the toughest marathon in the world', I do not think it is true and did this one as my first marathon. Great Wall Marathon is indeed a BIG word, as only 6 km is on the wall. Another 10 km is up and down a steep hill (5 k up, 5 k down) and the rest is absolutely flat. Beautiful scenery and that should be the reason to do it. Not many supporters, although the people in the villages are enthusiastic. Although organization on the day was okay (apart from the buses, there was enough water, baggage place, etc), the marathon is offered as a tour package, which is quite expensive and includes an exploration day and a party the day after. These are NOT well organized - no breakfast on the bus at 5 am, buses that have to wait for each other and make a tour along all the hotels (you are unlucky if you stay in the last one). Advice to the organizers: choose hotels nearer each other or divide the buses per hotel or a number of hotels instead of driving each bus to each hotel. Scenery and the challenge of it will be a main reason to run this marathon. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
