Nearly 1,500 runners from more than 50 countries took part in the 23rd Great Wall Marathon in northern China on Saturday (May 16), tackling one of the sport's most demanding courses across steep stone steps, mountain roads and rural villages.

Organisers said 1,485 runners entered the event, held at the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall in Tianjin. The race features a full marathon, half marathon and an 8.5-km fun run, with the longest course taking runners over 5,164 steps on the ancient fortification.

The event, first held in 1999, has grown from about 350 runners into an international race that has drawn tens of thousands of participants over the years.

Organisers describe the route as one of the world's toughest marathon courses, with sections of uneven stone steps and steep climb.

This year's field included 493 runners in the full marathon, 504 in the half marathon and 388 in the fun run. The largest foreign contingent came from the United States, with 138 runners.

The course starts and finishes near the old Huangyaguan fortress and takes runners through surrounding countryside and villages, where residents lined parts of the route to cheer competitors.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

HUANGYAGUAN, CHINA (MAY 16, 2026) (GREAT WALL MARATHON HANDOUT - Access all) (PART MUTE)

1. VARIOUS OF START FROM YINYAN SQUARE IN HUANGYIGUAN VILLAGE

2. DRONE FOOTAGE OF RUNNERS MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE WALL (MUTE)

3. VARIOUS OF RUNNERS GOING UP STEPS/ DOWN STEPS ON GREAT WALL OF CHINA

4. DRONE FOOTAGE OF GREAT WALL OF CHINA (MUTE)

5. RUNNER MAKING HEART SIGN WITH HANDS

6. VARIOUS OF RUNNERS GOING UP AND DOWN STEPS ON GREAT WALL OF CHINA

7. PEOPLE DRESSED IN RED AND GOLD CHEER ON THE RUNNERS/ PEOPLE ON STILTS CHEERING

8. DRONE FOOTAGE OF GREAT WALL OF CHINA (MUTE)

9. RUNNERS WALKING UP STEPS ON HANDS AND FEET

10. VARIOUS OF RUNNERS PASSING THROUGH FINISH LINE/ BEING GIVEN MEDALS

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) WINNER OF WOMEN'S HALF MARATHON MIRIAM MORALES SAYING:

"I really enjoyed running here along the wall – it’s impressive. With the stairs going up and down you can feel the tension, the energy, and that rush of adrenaline. I am very happy with the result."

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MOTHER DONNA JAMES STOOD NEXT TO HER SON SAYING:

"On my God – it was brutal – and the last bit on the wall - gnarly."

SON TY JAMES SAYING:

"Especially the last part. But a lot of fun. Wow – unreal – great to race out here. Absolutely amazing."

13. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FEMALE RUNNER CERCE DELRIEU SAYING:

"My run was great, it was very impressive to climb the wall, the wall was magnificent and the atmosphere was really awesome."

14. RUNNERS RECEIVING MEDALS (MUTE)

15. CLOSE UP OF MEDALS