Run the Great Wall Marathon

We are supposed to take my adopted daughters to China for a heritage tour in the spring of 2010. I figure as long as I am there I should run The Great Wall Marathon. I ran my first two marathons this year (actually, my 2nd is in two weeks).

I made the mistake of showing my wife one of the videos on You Tube. Now she is convinced that I’m going to drop dead in the race and ruin our family trip (grin).

I plan on doing this for my 50th this year!!!

I ran the Great Wall half-marathon in May 2004. It was a lifetime high – a ‘mountain-top experience’ as my dad would say. Because of the number or stairs and the 5km uphill approach to the wall, I’d say the distance feels 50% harder than a regular race. That said, the exhileration of the view and the run through the village amidst cheering local kids and goats, gave me so much energy that I felt carried on endorphins the whole way. If you can, try to stay at the hotel at the start/finish line. I can’t remember what it’s called, but most people stay in Beijing overnight and then take a bus (which leaves at about 4am!) to the race site. The hotel at the race site is VERY basic, but cool. Almost like staying in a castle…cold and damp but it’s right ON the wall. Good luck reaching this goal – crossing the finish line is THRILLING.

just putting it on the backburner

as it stands right now, all marathon entrants (including chinese nationals) have to go through a tour provider. its a package deal that makes the trip way too expensive. from quickly perusing their website, it seems that the cheapest deal is $900 (w/o airfare). i’ll wait until i can pay a reasonable entry fee and plan my own trip around the country.

Check this out…..Great Wall Marathon.

I have a feeling it would be one of the most awe-inspiring moments in my life. I would like to do this in 2006, as this year I will be in Europe around this time. But it could be my next birthday treat.