About This Race
The 69.1K distance at Ultra-Trail Great Wall by UTMB represents a significant step up from marathon distance, taking runners through a demanding mix of ancient fortifications and high grassland terrain near Zhangjiakou. The course threads together technical sections along the Great Wall itself with the open, wind-exposed ridges of the Grassland Sky Road, creating a route that tests both navigation skills and stamina. With 3,200 meters of elevation gain, this is a proper ultra distance that requires measured pacing and experience managing extended efforts in variable terrain. Runners spend substantial time moving through landscapes that shift from centuries-old stone battlements to expansive pastoral highlands. The course's length allows for dramatic changes in light and atmosphere as the day progresses, particularly where the route traces the wall's undulating path across ridgelines. This distance sits in a purposeful middle ground, offering a serious challenge without the all-consuming commitment of a 100K, making it accessible to runners ready to move beyond marathon distance into genuine ultra territory. The race operates under UTMB World Series standards, which brings comprehensive support infrastructure and international competition to this distinct section of northern China. Zhangjiakou, located in Hebei Province northwest of Beijing, provides the staging ground for an event that balances cultural significance with serious mountain running.
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.
Location
Practical Info
September in Zhangjiakou typically offers cooler temperatures than summer, with daytime highs in the low 20s Celsius, though conditions can change rapidly on exposed ridges and wind is often a factor on the Grassland Sky Road sections.
Zhangjiakou is a developed city with hotel options ranging from international chains to local establishments, located about 200 kilometers northwest of Beijing and accessible by high-speed rail.
Best For
Notable Features
Few trail races in the world offer the opportunity to run substantial sections along the Great Wall of China, and this course delivers that experience within a proper ultra distance framework. The juxtaposition of ancient fortifications with the open grassland environment creates a route that feels geographically and culturally distinct from typical mountain ultras. The UTMB World Series designation brings a level of organization and international field that elevates the event beyond regional status.