Runs

EXOTIC DESTINATION: The Great Wall Marathon

February 18, 2010
By Steve Bower

Where: Tianjin Province, China

Race Date: May 15, 2010

Events: Full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K

A trip to the Great Wall Marathon offers a complete menu for the adventurer: history dating back to ancient times, wide-ranging culture, diverse architecture, mountains, ocean and wonderful food. But the marathon itself was the main attraction for the 1,500 runners from 40 countries who signed up for last year’s event. There were 76 Canadian runners in total, including the four marathoners I travelled with, who used Dream Travel and the Running Room to get there: Jenny Robinson from Toronto, Val Avery from Calgary, Jennifer Lapierre from Vancouver and Clarence Wang from Barrie, Ont.

Two days before the races, which include a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and full marathon, officials briefed the runners on the course, including a walk of the 3.5K section of the Great Wall. In the first 8K, there’s an elevation gain of more than 350 metres, followed by the extreme ups and downs of the wall itself as it hugs the mountainous terrain. The marathoners repeat an 8.5K section twice, once at the start, and later leading to the finish.

Race day begins early with buses leaving the Beijing hotels at 3 a.m. for the 2.5-hour ride north to the Great Wall.

Most of the race covers flat farmland, where cheering supporters, including children hand out flowers to many of the runners.

Despite their different backgrounds and training methods, my four Canadian travelling companions - along with 18 other Canadians - finished the Great Wall Marathon well within the allotted eight-hour maximum time. Exhausted and aching, the group was unanimous in their view of the race. “For me, it wasn’t ever about the time,” said Jenny Robinson, a first-time marathoner. “I did have my doubts as the hours melted away and the hills got harder, but I achieved my goal - I finished.” Val Avery said her race went better than she had planned - she was the second-fastest Canadian woman. “One highlight of the race was running through the small farming communities and being given bouquets of flowers from the lovely children,” she said. Jennifer Lapierre’s infectious smile masked the extent of her personal ordeal. “That was such a hard run,” she said. “I was just so happy to cross the finish line in the allowed time.” Clarence Wang echoed those thoughts. “Much harder than I imagined, but I got the job done,” he said.

If you go:

Canadian Tour Bookings:

Dream Travel (www.dreamtravelcanada.com)

Valhalla Travel And Tours (www.valhallatravel.com)