About This Race
The 69.1K serves as the race's serious ultra distance, demanding sustained pacing across both technical Great Wall sections and the rolling terrain of the Grassland Sky Road with approximately 3200m of elevation gain. This distance attracts experienced ultra runners seeking a substantial challenge that goes well beyond a marathon effort while remaining more manageable than the century mark. Runners at this distance experience the full character of the course's varied terrain, spending enough time on the trails to witness dramatic lighting changes across the ancient fortifications and pastoral landscapes.
Notable Features
This race stands as the only UTMB World Series event that incorporates a UNESCO World Heritage site as its central feature. Runners traverse authentic sections of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall while gaining access to restricted historical areas typically closed to tourists. The combination of significant elevation challenges with cultural immersion creates an experience that transcends typical trail racing.