Trail running course through mixed terrain near Zhangjiakou, CN

Ultra-Trail Great Wall by UTMB 31.2K

31.2K·1,500m gain·Zhangjiakou

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Distance31.2K

Gain1,500m

Date11 Sep 2026

Difficulty3/5

Registration is closed for Ultra-Trail Great Wall by UTMB 31.2K

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About This Race

The entry-level distance still delivers an authentic Great Wall challenge with 1500m of elevation gain. This option allows runners newer to ultra distances to experience the unique terrain and historical significance without the extreme demands of longer courses.

Location

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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.

Other Distances at This Event

53K

The course weaves through the mountains surrounding Zhangjiakou, utilizing both preserved and ruined sections of the Great Wall connected by mountain trails. Runners navigate stone staircases of varying steepness, some sections featuring steps irregularly spaced and smoothed by weather and foot traffic over centuries. Between wall sections, the terrain shifts to natural mountain paths that may include loose rock, packed earth, and technical features requiring careful footing. The mixed terrain designation reflects this combination of human-engineered and natural surfaces. Expect rapid transitions between climbing ancient steps, traversing ridgelines with exposure, and descending technical trails. Weather conditions in September typically offer moderate temperatures, though mountain exposure means runners should prepare for variable conditions including wind and potential temperature swings between sun and shade.

69.1K

The route combines two distinct environments: technical sections following the Great Wall's ancient stone construction and the wide-open terrain of the Grassland Sky Road, a scenic route that traverses high-altitude pastoral landscapes. The Great Wall segments require careful footing over uneven stonework and steps, while the grassland sections open onto rolling ridges with different challenges related to exposure and sustained climbing. The 3,200-meter elevation gain is distributed throughout the course, with no single dominant climb defining the effort. Runners navigate a mix of surfaces, from weathered stone and packed earth on historical sections to dirt roads and singletrack through the grasslands. The technical demands vary considerably depending on which portion of the course you're on, requiring adaptability and attention to changing underfoot conditions.

100K

The route incorporates multiple sections of the Great Wall, where uneven stone steps and steep gradients demand careful foot placement even when fresh. Between wall segments, the course drops into valleys and crosses exposed ridgelines before reaching grassland transitions that mark the outer portions of the route. Technical challenges persist throughout, with ancient stone giving way to mountain singletrack that requires sustained attention to footing.