Conquer the Wall Marathon Jinshanling China 2027

The Conquer the Wall Marathon 2027 takes runners through the wild, spectacular Jinshanling and Gubeikou sections of China's Great Wall on Saturday 8 May 2027. Unlike the separate Huangyaguan-based Great Wall Marathon later in May, this independent adventure race explores steep Ming-era fortifications, including partially unrestored sections where broken steps, exposed stones and narrow stairways require careful footing.

The course and the challenge

The full marathon is a demanding mountain-like effort featuring an extraordinary number of stone steps, sustained climbing and descending, and very little shade on exposed sections. The route leaves the Wall where unsafe areas require an alternative path. Half-marathon, 10K and 5K entries let runners experience the scenery over shorter distances. This is emphatically not a flat city road marathon. Entrants should train for stair climbing, uneven terrain and long periods on their feet. The organiser requires full-marathon runners to carry their own hydration pack or belt, refillable at aid stations.

Race day and logistics

Runners must attend a course-information meeting in Beijing on 6 or 7 May, where they collect their bib, shoe timing chip and kit and receive advice about markings, drop bags and safety. Official buses are scheduled to depart Pan Pacific Beijing at around 03:00 on race morning for the Great Wall. Return transport is included in entry. Approximate distance-specific flag-offs begin at 06:00 local time, subject to final organiser confirmation. A strict 10-hour course limit applies, and the organiser's information differs slightly about the final 16:00 versus 16:15 closing time: follow the final runners' briefing.

Registration and eligibility

The official 2027 registration form currently offers the full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K, and advertises 500 total entries. A separate organiser overview also mentions a 32K, but that distance is not presently selectable in the online 2027 form; contact the organiser before assuming it is offered. The official 2027 registration form and race-information page now both list USD 275 adult entry. Confirm the final payable amount and any optional extras at checkout before booking. The organiser states a minimum age of 18 for the marathon and 14 for the half marathon. Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable, although next-year deferral requests may be made to the organiser. International visitors should independently verify China entry/visa rules.