26th Great Wall of China Marathon Beijing 2027

The 26th Great Wall of China Marathon (GWCM) takes place on Saturday 1 May 2027, bringing the spring edition of this long-running adventure marathon to the Great Wall in north-west Beijing's Yanqing District. The organiser calls this the 26th spring edition (and its 34th Great Wall of China Marathon when autumn races are also counted). This is a separate event from the Jinshanling Conquer the Wall Marathon on 8 May and the Huangyaguan Great Wall Marathon on 15 May.

Running on the Wall

The races are a physical and scenic challenge combining rugged Great Wall stonework, steep steps and sections of mixed running surfaces. The event is not designed for personal-best road-marathon times: the organiser warns that completing its full marathon can take much longer than running the same distance on a typical city road course. Runners can choose a full marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K. The 2027 organiser says it will incorporate an additional section of the Great Wall into the route. Detailed course access, which stairs are traversed, and the final assembly point should be confirmed with the event's final route briefing, rather than assumed from older maps. The organiser's published overall limit is 10 hours.

Travel, race day and kit collection

The authorised 2027 entry listing schedules a 08:00 China-standard-time start on 1 May. Official coach transport departs the Mercure Hotel Beijing Zhongguancun, 31 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, at approximately 05:30, with arrival around 07:00. Runners should travel on the designated transport unless the organiser has specifically authorised another arrangement. Race bags may be collected on Friday 30 April, 09:00–18:00, at the same Beijing hotel. The 2027 programme offers pre-race baggage arrangements and transport back to the hotel after the event. The organiser also promotes optional accommodation and airport-transfer packages, which are separate purchases.

Entries and planning

The organiser's authorised ACTIVE.com race-entry page advertises CNY 1,700 for each adult race distance, before optional purchases and checkout charges. A cheaper child-runner option is offered separately; confirm eligibility and the distance when registering. Other registration platforms may display prices in different currencies or bundled service fees. World's Marathons advertises a 25 April 2027 registration deadline, subject to places remaining, but participants should rely on the current checkout and direct confirmation from the organiser. Visitors should verify their passport/visa status and allow ample time for steep stair and uneven-ground preparation.