- How do I get to the race venue from Beijing?
- Most runners book through the official travel partner, which provides buses from Beijing. Alternatively, hire a private car; the drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic.
- Is the course entirely on the Wall?
- No, only about 7km-9km of the marathon is on the Wall itself. The rest is on asphalt roads and gravel paths through local villages, though you tackle the Wall sections twice.
- How steep are the steps?
- The Great Wall features 5,164 steps. Some are only a few centimeters high, while others are knee-high. Walking the steps is common even for elite runners.
- When is packet pickup?
- Packet pickup typically happens in Beijing during the mandatory pre-race inspection and briefing session 2-3 days before the race.
- Can I use trekking poles?
- No, trekking poles are generally not allowed on the Great Wall sections to prevent damage to the historic structure and for the safety of other runners on narrow steps.
- What is the cut-off time?
- The marathon has an 8-hour time limit. Runners must reach the Great Wall section for the second time (approx. 34km) within 6 hours to be allowed to finish.