If you’ve ever dreamed of running along one of the Seven Wonders of the World and doing it for a good cause, your moment has officially arrived. Registration is now open for the 2025 Huairou Great Wall Marathon & Zayed Charity Run — where sport, culture, and a dash of superhuman stamina collide in one epic event.
Mark your calendars for 21 September 2025, because that’s when 15,000 runners from around the globe will descend on Beijing’s stunning Jinyu Xinfa Science Park. From the sparkling waters of Yanqi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center to the historic stones of the Mutianyu Great Wall, this isn’t your average jog in the park. It’s a certified Class A1 marathon by the China Athletics Association, which basically means: very official, very challenging, and very brag-worthy.
Not Just a Race – A Legacy
This isn’t just any marathon; it’s backed by the Zayed Charity Run, a global symbol of giving launched in 2001 in Abu Dhabi to honor the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Over the years, the run has raised more than $173 million for medical treatments and humanitarian projects, while clocking in over 613,000 participants in cities like New York, Cairo, and now — drumroll — Beijing.
His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, put it perfectly:
“Bringing the Zayed Charity Run to the Great Wall is more than a partnership; it’s a powerful union of heritage, values, and purpose.”
Translation: This is about more than sore calves. It’s about carrying a message of hope, health, and unity across borders.
Three Days of Fun (and a Little Sweat)
While the main marathon will have you clocking miles with the Great Wall as your backdrop, there’s a whole lineup of events to make the weekend a festival of sport and culture:
- Robot, Family & People of Determination Run – 20 September
- Emirati House cultural activation – 19–21 September at Mutianyu Great Wall (think traditions, flavors, and maybe a selfie or two with camels… okay, maybe not actual camels)
- Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony – 21 September, right on the Great Wall platform. Because you deserve dessert after that climb.
How to Join the Adventure
Registration for Chinese athletes opened 8 August on local marathon platforms and WeChat. Participants from the UAE — including athletes, community groups, and embassy reps — get special access too. Full details drop at the Press Conference on 18 August at Huairou Science City.
For the eager beavers ready to sign up right now, here’s your golden ticket:
Click here to register
So, whether you’re in it for the runner’s high, the Instagram shots, or the chance to say “Oh yeah, I ran the Great Wall” at dinner parties, this event has your name written all over it.
Get your sneakers ready — history (and a good cause) are waiting.
