anybody done it? is it worth 1100.00US for the week of bs and then the race??? Ive been puttng in lots of miles, it would be cool to get specific for an event.
what do you guys think??? great wall? or save it for a faster road marathon???
thanks
On the one hand, it’s $1100 for a marathon.
On the other hand, it’s the Great Wall of freakin’ China.
If you can afford it, I’d say do it. I don’t plan on doing many marathons in the next few years, so if I do any, I’d like to make them memorable. I have considered the Great Wall marathon and I might do it next year, if I’m still in Korea then.
Yeah, I can afford it, The 1100 incudes some meals, lodging in some small village, transportation, the marathon and some other stuff too, Since I wouldnt have to pay for an overseas ticket, the 1100 isnt too bad.
I haven’t done it, but to me, a race like this is one of those things you go and do if you have the opportunity. I’m not sure what the week of BS is, but if by that you mean a tour through one of the major cradles of ancient culture and civilization, then what’s the problem? I don’t know your life experience and circumstance, so if being in Korea right now indicates you’re beyond first time tourist, maybe it’s not a big deal to you. I live in the states, and have only traveled to Europe. A close friend from this area has been living in China for years now, and is my connection when I finally make the trip. The Great Wall Marathon may be just the impetus in a couple of years.
I look it as one of those destination events you can’t compare 1:1 with any other. Do it.
I’ve run on the Great Wall. It’s awesome! But the retaining walls are low. Get bumped and off you go. There are some hills on it that are crazy steep. It’s gotta be lulzy. But yeah. The experience could be worth 1100 balloons.
By week of BS, I really just meant that it sucks I cant just pay the 100 bucks or so and show up on my own, I already live here so I dont really need a tour, not to say that the tour isnt great. Again, since I dont have to spring for airline tics, 1100 is pretty reasonable.
I’ve run on the Great Wall. It’s awesome! But the retaining walls are low. Get bumped and off you go. There are some hills on it that are crazy steep. It’s gotta be lulzy. But yeah. The experience could be worth 1100 balloons.
Yeah, ive seen several sections of the wall, including the sunken section, not many people get to see that part. Ive been to the jade gate and to the dragons head, I love the great wall, that why the race seems cool.
If I do it, I wont even be thinking about time, just really having fun, enjoying the day and checking out the views.
Pro’s
its a marathon
Con’s
Its in china
Almost any other county in the world is more appealing.
i was there 2010, that time it was 550,- only… anyway, as far as the wall goes, it’s sufficient to run 10k, since it’s about that distance that you actually run on the wall - more or less 5k out, 5k back… if you’d like to run a bit more, take the 21k. i would not run the marathon again, since the other 21k loop goes through noman’s land and a small village with a crazy hill followed by an offroad downhill, before joining back to the 21k loop. you arecompletely away of the wall there.
overall it’s a tough race/adventure race, with a total of 1200m/3600’ of climbing. be prepared to run at least 1h better 1,5hrs slower than a flat race.
Pro’s
its a marathon
Con’s
Its in china
Almost any other county in the world is more appealing.
Clearly youve never been here, its pretty cool man.
- 1
I LOVE China. So much crazy stuff to do. Really off-the-wall places to go.
Got to have some Mandarin though to really appreciate things. Not so hard to learn.
I have 2 friends doing it this year. I believe the deal they got was 10days/nights, race entry and food.
A friend did this a few years ago and based on her comments I’d agree that you should think of this as an adventure race, not a marathon.
I ran on the sections of the wall that are in the race last year with a friend who was prepping for the HM later in the year. Most of the Marathon is not on the wall, but in the surrounding countryside. The section that is on the wall is very steep, lots of uneven steps, slippery and have hand rails at less than US standards. For the money, time and effort, do London or one of the other international events. Definitely go see the wall at some point in your life (the old chinese saying is you are not a man until you have walked on the great wall), but I certainly wouldn’t do the race.
Have you been?
I used to feel that way.
I have been there three times in the last few years to 7 different cities.
Actually being there and seeing the kindness and generosity of the real people, and the joy of the kids coming and practicing their English on me…
The cultural differences are fascinating. Yes, Changsha is not Bali - but it is still an amazing place to experience.
What a really amazing place.
Anyway, I have been to the wall in two places. If it is anything like the wall at Simitai, I cannot imagine you are really “running” much - very steep and torturous for a run - Badaling was much less steep. My impression of the race is that it would be an accomplishment/experience - but not so much of a “race.”
Photo on my profile. I can’t seem to embed it in my post.
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?username=Nasrettin%20Hoca#
It’s steep and stairs as per above. The tour bus gives you a few hours. Most people hang around the access points. So you can run to the next entry. I did that, then ran back to my group and then out the other way which was kinda deserted. Where I got the photo on the timer. So for the cost of a bus tour, you too can run the wall.
I’m yet to hear one person coming back from China who says it sucks. Everyone comes back absolutely
fascinated by the country, its people, its culture. I’ve never been there, but I would love to go.
I’d like to know however which clever chinese man started the myth that you can see the great wall of China
from space 
.