Over all it was a great experience and certainly a one-of-a-kind marathon. It is fairly well organized but here are a few things that need correcting. Firstly there should be plenty of water available at the start for pre race hydration but I certainly couldnt find any. So make sure you bring a big bottle of water with you. Secondly we were not told ahead of time that the half marathon would be starting with the second corral of marathon runners. This caused quite a bit of congestion on the wall. Thirdly and maybe its just my own feeling but the kilometer markings did not stand out enough and at times I felt confused as to where I was on the route.
Lastly please do something about the awful post race refreshments. Just charge an extra ten dollars for entry and have decent refreshments ready like fresh oranges, grapes, beer,soda,etc. the usual fare.
Aside from these small annoyances it was a great place for a marathon and I highly recommend it.

For my very first run this has been an excellent journey to enjoy with other runners from all over the globe. To see so many people ready to participate in what I think is one of the best organized events was the tip of more runs to come. Thank you to those that committ to a very successful event. Go 2013 GWM

Very hard, very fun race, fantastic experience, a few problems with logistics but generally well-run. The race is big and in a size-limited area. We left Beijing at 4AM and barely had enough time for the toilet line before the start. The start was in 3 waves, but the waves were assigned by tour company, not projected finish time, and consequently there was a terrible bottle-neck on the course  we literally stood still for more than 30 minutes around the 6km marker. There was plenty of water (in sealed bottles) along the course, kudos for that on such a hot day. I just carried bottles from station to station, discarding one in time to take the next. Some bananas (and extremely watery sports-drink) available, but be prepared with whatever calories you may need. Medical care seemed sufficient, but they were busy! I wore gloves (fingerless, grippy palm) for the race, which while not decidedly necessary, I'm glad I did and would do again because I could just run my hand down the ropes and railings without worry. Parts of the Wall are runnable, but much isn't, with thigh-high steps, narrow stairs, and a cliff off of one side. The photographers did a great job, but like all race pics, they are overpriced. I didn't get a post-race massage, but I heard lots of people saying how great they were. The post-race food was terrible (and was exactly the same as the inspection day food). Nasty sandwiches, and nothing either salty or sweet.

I do not feel the need to ever go back for this race again, but I'm glad I ran it. Having spent more than 3 hours total (inspection day + race day) scrambling over the Great Wall of China, I feel like I've truly experienced it.

For anyone planning on running the Great Wall of China Marathon, do make sure you are healthy and fully trained, not just for hills/stairs (even the non-Wall part is uphill), but also for time-on-your-feet. Go on training runs that take hours more than your normal marathon time. Carry your own nutrition and TP, and keep protected from the sun. Also know that while 8 hours may seem like plenty of time, it might not be. And hope that the logistics get straightened out!

Full RR posted on RunnersWorld online forum.

I highly recommend a trip to China and definitely recommend seeing the Great Wall, but would not recommend this event.

The half and full marathon start at the same time creating terrible congestion on the wall. We stood still bottlenecked for over 10-15 minutes at several very narrow sections of the wall. I expected the time on the wall to be slow, I did not expect to be actually stopped, standing in the hot sun packed together with anxious runners, 5 miles into the race.

If you really feel the need to do this event, ask your tour coordinator which corral their group starts in. The starting corrals for 2012 were based on tour groups, not previous marthon times. Runners in the first corral experienced less congestion on the wall.

You are only on the wall for approximately 6K of the marathon so the run thru the local town is actually the highlight of this event. It is very scenic and plently of bottled water provided. The people and children cheering for the runners is very inspiring. For that reason I would recommend a marathon to experience China. But marathoners pursuing the 7 continents have better options for a marathon in Asia.

Unless the race organizers respect the marathon and have the 13.1 mile runners start later, I can not recommend this marathon. You feel like a tourist trapped on the Wall.

I just ran this race last Saturday, and it was by far the toughest race I have ever done. I had read up on the course, but I still wanted to cry when I got to mile 22/23 and was facing the wall for the second time. I ended up finishing in 5 hours 15 minutes and was pretty ecstatic at having actually completed it. There were many DNFs that day due to the heat and the unforgiving course.
The tour itself was great. I signed up with Steve who is with marathon-adventures.com - and he was excellent. He took his wife on the trip, and they were absolutely fantastic. It was also pretty cool to meet other folks who were in the same boat as me, having travelled 7000 miles to check off a pretty tough Asia.
I just signed up for Antartica to get the seven continents. Steve's company is calling it the White Continent marathon, and will let me check it off at a relatively good price.
Overall, I highly recommend the Great Wall marathon - but don't underestimate it. It is a humbling experience.

Race organization was excellent. I chose Kathy Loper Events and was very pleased with the tour. This is not a race to run for first timers, unless you are extremely fit. 5,100 steps of The Great Wall. 9K in the beginning, and 3 miles of your last 9K on the wall. Train, Train, Train, and then train some more!

This was the most unbelievable marathon experience I have ever had; went with Kathy Loper Events and they turned this into an adventure much greater than the run. Everything was taken care of and the hotel was a 5 star hotel just blocks from the major tourist areas. They had runs for us in the mornings and knew where to go to shop and get fantastic massages. They really made this an experience I will never forget.

This is a spectacular adventure. We traveled with Marathon Adventures and they were awesome. This was our second trip with M.A. Their owner, Steve, talked about how they were the fun group. And they absolutely are! Steve took great care of us. If you want to experience a great adventure and a great race, there is NO other way to do the Great Wall Marathon than to travel with Marathon Adventures!

I am not a "tour" kind of person, so I wasn't really looking forward to this (however, my daughter who is 14 had been accepted as part of her quest for half marathons on 7 continents).

We had the best time. Our guide and driver were awesome. I thought the whole event was planned down to the last detail. I loved that we went 2 days before for an inspection and got to take lots of pictures. We had a great time in Beijing. We took candies, stickers and crayons for the kids in the villages, and for me that was the best part of the trip. Everyone was wonderful. We bought some cool things in the markets. The Gala was spectacular (I wish it had gone on longer, as everyone left for a club and I didn't think it appropriate to go with my teen). I cannot say enough about the marathon except that I will return with my husband and do the full. Amazing experience and full marks to the organizers (just ditch the factory stops!!).

This was my first international marathon, and 13th marathon overall. The organization was done very well. The tour package covered all of the bases and made the trip very easy for an American. Beijing is extremely comfortable to get around in. Subways are clean and safe. Taxis are very inexpensive and accommodations are very pleasurable. The wall was incredible, and even though the countryside was tough and tiring, the people along the route were very endearing. Beautiful people and culture. I highly recommend this marathon and want to go back and take anyone who will go with me. I absolutely loved it.