The marathon attracted athletes from around the world to participate. (by Guo Zhongxing)

The 14th International Great Wall Marathon attracted athletes from around the world on Sept 6 at the section of the Great Wall at Jinshanling in Hebei province. The event was sponsored by the Germany Great Wall Marathon Association, the management office of Jinshanling Great Wall in Luanping county and China’s Hebei province.

The international Great Wall Marathon is a traditional sports event in Jinshanling. The 14th contest attracted more than 105 athletes from China and eight foreign countries, including the United States, Britain, German, Poland, Switzerland and Italy, according to Guo Zhongxing, deputy director of the Jinshanling Great Wall management office.

Wang Xiaoming, chief of the office’s tourist branch, said that the 45-kilometer marathon began at Duoguan Pass, and continued uphill and downhill along a route with challenging detours. At the finish line, 32-year-old Chinese athlete Niu Chao won the gold medal with a time of 3 hours and 16 minutes. A 76-year-old German participant was the last to finish the race he has attended for eight consecutive years.

Peter from Germany, 76 years old (by Guo Zhongxing)

(by Guo Zhongxing)

By Audrey and Chen Zhilin