GREAT WALL MARATHON, CHINA – Cool start conditions quickly jumped to 30°C by the middle of the race. Famous for its unique scenic views and ancient history, this marathon course is one of the toughest in the world

About 1100 runners from 38 countries gathered on the start line at Yin Yang Square in Huangyaguan village, 130km from Beijing, for the start of the 8th Great Wall Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km and 5km races write Sergei Porada and Yelena Kurdyumova. Despite extremely hard running conditions Spain’s Salvador Calvo beat the old course record by two minutes, while Sara Winter from New Zealand sensationally improved the previous women’s best by over 22 minutes.

Cool start conditions quickly jumped to 30°C by the middle of the race. Famous for its unique scenic views and ancient history, this marathon course is one of the toughest in the world, with 6.5km run on the Great Wall itself. The 402 marathon runners had to overcome 3,800 ragged steps, some flat and slick, some giant-sized, and others completely ruined by age.
The Wall often lacked ramparts to safeguard against unsure footing. Runners could hold the rope or handrail, slow down, or even stop to overcome dizziness at descents and to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views.

Henrik Brandt of Denmark completed just 15 minutes under the eight-hour limit, to maintain his 100% record in all eight marathons held. The women’s winner, Sara Winter, said: „For me, it’s the hardest marathon I have done. Each time you come off the Wall your legs are jelly.“

MEN:
1 Salvador CALVO ESP 3:23:10
2 Frederick ZALOKAR USA 3:38:14
3 Yun FENG WANG CHN 3:41:01
4 Darren BENSON AUS 3:44.51
5 Michael LONGE USA 3:58:15
6 Ulrich GRALLATH GER 3:58:22
7 Jeremy REDFORD GBR 4:02:07
8 Peter ANDARSON GBR 4:03:28
9 Soeren KRUSE LILLEOERE DEN 4:05:03
10 Staffan GEREONSSON SWE 4:05:38

WOMEN:
1 Sara WINTER NZL 3:50:21
2 Sharon RYDER AUS 4:14:50
3 Anna Ma. AGUSTI LLOSERA ESP 4:26:08
4 Jane WHITE GBR 4:42:24
5 Marie Therese HERWIG SUI 4:43:49
6 Deborah ZALOKAR USA 4:44:18
7 Maureen TOBIN USA 4:46:33
8 Carrol LAPSYS AUS 4:48:46
9 Celilia GUEVARA MEX 4:48:58
10 Andrea Michelle GONZALEZ USA 4:55:08

Source:
www.aims-association.org.