Great Wall Marathon 2027

Great Wall Marathon 2027 returns to Huangyaguan on 15 May for one of Asia's best-known destination running challenges. First staged in 1999, the event has grown from about 350 runners to a field capped at 2,500. The programme includes a 42.195 km marathon, 21.097 km half marathon and 8.5 km Fun Run. ARC currently has no exact 8.5 km distance record, so that race is documented here rather than being mapped to an inaccurate distance.

The course is built around the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall and nearby villages. Runners encounter asphalt, gravel and brick surfaces, approximately 1,282 metres of elevation gain, steep climbs and descents, and the event's signature 5,164 stone steps. The race uses the Yin & Yang Square at Huangyaguan as its start and finish area. The organiser's current 2027 package itinerary schedules the race start for 07:30 local time after a warm-up and official speeches.

All distances have an eight-hour timing limit. Marathon runners face an additional hard gate at kilometre 35: the entrance back onto the Wall closes at 14:00, and runners arriving later cannot continue to the finish. The whole event closes at 16:00. Bib-chip timing is used, with marathon and half-marathon runners assigned a wave number. Bags can be left at the staffed start and finish area, and the course is supported by hydration stations and an English-speaking medical team.

Registration for 2027 is open and international participation is sold through an official travel-package model rather than a standalone bib. The race entry itself is USD 150 for either the marathon or half marathon and USD 75 for the 8.5 km Fun Run, on top of the selected package. The organiser lists a 15 April 2027 final booking deadline. A regional package is available to residents of specified Asian countries from USD 790 and includes two nights' accommodation, event transport, an official shirt, medal, timing and on-route support. Standard international packages are also available.

Race-pack arrangements depend on the package selected. Standard package participants receive their goodie bag through their guide or by Inspection Day, while the regional package directs runners to contact their guide after hotel check-in. Runners should therefore follow the instructions issued with their specific booking rather than relying on a single public collection desk.