Great Wall Marathon and Half Marathon, China

Kathy Loper presents		12th Annual Tour

May 2013

with Kathy Loper and Kurt Bodmer

Event Date: Saturday May 18, 2013

Kathy Loper Events is proud to announce our 12th Annual tour of the Great Wall Marathon, Half Marathon, and 7.5K Fun Run/Walk in Beijing, China on Saturday May 18, 2013 This unique sporting and touring opportunity, under the direction of the Danish and Chinese Athletic Federations is an incredible experience for both the participant and spectator.

"The Marathon of the Millennium" is now an international event. The course is awesome with 8K on the Great Wall. With the 1800 steps, varying greatly in width and height, the course is run on some steep ascents and descents as well as some very narrow passages on the Great Wall. Participants in the full marathon will conquer this section twice, while the half-marathon will travel through the farmland and villages and cover the 1800 steps of the Wall only once. The 7.5K Fun Run/Walk only includes some of the steps of the Great Wall. The longest part of the course is flat with some rolling terrain as well as some dirt road as it travels through the Chinese farmlands and villages.

Don't Hit the Great Wall - travel and hydration tips

Spectator Friendly

Please note this event is spectator friendly; you don't have to participate in the runs to travel with our tour. Non-participants will have the opportunity to experience The Great Wall at Huangyuaguan on inspection day two days before the actual event. So tell your neighbors and family members about this incredible, awesome travel experience.

Race Location

Huangyaguan, China, 2-hour drive from Beijing
The Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall was first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557AD) and repaired with bricks during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Qi Jiguang added watch towers and other defensive features.

In 1984, the people of Tianjin spent three years repairing roughly 3km of the main wall from Banlagang Mountain in the east to Wangmaoding Mountain in the west. They restored 20 terraces, the Huangyaguan Water Gate, and the Bagua Castle (the Eight Diagrams Castle).

ABC News: Great Wall Marathon Challenges Runners - 2007 event

See video from 2005 tour - Michigan Runner

Available Tours

"Beijing Program" 8 Night Tour - Sunday 12 May - Tuesday 21 May

Gateway citiy: for United Airlines San Francisco (SFO).

"Beijing/Xian Program" 11 Night Tour - Sunday 12 May - Friday 24 May

Includes 2 Night Xian.
Gateway citiy: for United Airlines San Francisco (SFO).

"Beijing/Xian/Shanghai" 13 Night Tour - Sunday 12 May - Sunday 26 May

includes Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai .
Gateway citiy: for United Airlines San Francisco (SFO).

"China + Tibet" 16 Night Tour - Sunday 12 May - Wednesday 29 May

includes Beijing, Xian, Tibet, and Shanghai
Gateway city: for United Airlines San Francisco (SFO).

Included in packages:

All Beijing 8N and 11N packages include:

Air fare non-stop to Beijing and back from Beijing on United Airlines from San Francisco, coach class.
Accommodations at Superior First Class to Deluxe Hotels as shown, basis sharing double/twin room. Non-smoking rooms.
11N includes local air Beijing-Xian-Beijing.
Package rates are based on Superior Rooms in new Tower "B" at Capital Hotel in Beijing.
Full Buffet Breakfast daily at the hotels (special light breakfasts on early morning starts).
"Welcome to China" Happy Hour and special carbo-loading Pasta Dinner at our hotel.
Lunches on tours as shown.
In-flight meals at appropriate meal hours.
Group transfers from/to airports, including baggage handling at airports/hotels.
Sightseeing and excursions as shown, including entrance fees to places visited.
English-speaking local guides.
Hotel service charges and hotel taxes.
Tipping to local guides and drivers on included services.
Earn MileagePlus miles for United Airlines/United Express miles flown (bonus miles if in Biz Class).
Great Wall Marathon/Half Marathon/7.5K Fun Run/Walk/Spectator official Registration Fee which includes: Thu 16May bus site inspection day trip including lunch, Sat 18May race day bus trip including lunch, organization of run by Chinese/Danish organizers, course marshals all along the run route, water stations every 1¹/₂ miles, finisher medal, certificate, Gala Dinner including transfers, etc.
Note: This fee is included in the tour price and is mandatory for every participant on this tour, running or not. We will automatically register you for the event.
20-minute cool-down massage after the run for every Kathy Loper Events participant in our exclusive KLE massage tent at the finish line.
Surprise memento of the run on the Great Wall.
Beijing map, city and shopping information.
A KLE Hospitality Desk in the Lobby of the Beijing Capital Hotel available daily for optional day tours, evening special dinners, or for any other event or shopping suggestions or general information.

In addition, the 13Night "Xian & Shanghai" tour includes:

Air fare Beijing - Xian - Shanghai in coach class.
Accommodations at 5-star Metro Park Hotel, basis sharing twin. Non-smoking rooms!
Full buffet breakfast daily at hotel in Xian & Shanghai.
Round trip transfers to/from Mt. Huashan and entrance ticket.
Round trip cable car ride to/from top at Huashan with picnic lunch.
Tour of the Terra-Cotta Warriors Excavations including lunch at the digs.
City Orientation Tour in Xian as indicated.
Tang Dynasty Show/Dinner in Xian including transfers.
Special Dumpling Banquet at Han Tang Tian Xia Restaurant.
Transfer from hotel to airport in Xian & round trip airport transfer in SHA.
Accommodations at 5 star hotel of Salvo Hotel in Shanghai twin sharing basis. Single room supplement available. Non-smoking rooms!
Hotel taxes and service charges.

Not included in 8, 11, or 13Night tours:

Tips to local guides and drivers on Optional Tours and to masseuse at the KLE massage tent after the race.
Items of personal nature, and any items not specifically listed as included herein.
General medical insurance.

In addition, the 16Night "Xian, Tibet, & Shanghai" tour includes:

Air fare Xian - Lhasa, Lhasa - Shanghai in coach class.
Accommodations at 5 star luxury hotel Xin Ding Hotel in Lhasa and Salvo Hotel in Shanghai, twin sharing basis. Single room supplement available. Non-smoking rooms!
Full buffet breakfast at hotel in Lhasa and Shanghai.
Round trip airport transfers from to hotel/airport in Lhasa and Shanghai.
Farewell dinner in Shanghai.
Travel Permit to Tibet.
Hotel taxes and service charges.

Not included:

Tibetan visa.
Tips to local guides and drivers on optional tours.
Items of personal nature.

Other Details

Cancellation:

If cancellation becomes necessary, monies recoverable from the suppliers will be refunded, less $250.00 per person administration fee. Your deposit includes the $700.00 GWM official registration fee subject to the following cancellation conditions:
$100.00 - 21Feb.
$150.00 22Feb-21Mar.
$200.00 22Mar-21Apr.
No refund 22Apr onwards.

If a sharing person drops out, he/she is responsible for the resulting single room supplement cost to the remaining room partner, unless a new share person can be found that suits the remaining room partner.

Deviation / Change Fees:

Your Great Wall Marathon package has been developed as a group movement in order to take advantage of specially negotiated prices when traveling as a group.

A fee of $150.00 per person will apply per desired deviation or change from the original program, plus the extra costs of the new or changed services.

If such changes necessitate cancellation of confirmed air or ground arrangements which are subject to cancellation charges, unrecoverable costs will be added to the change fee (this occurs likely within 60 days of departure when air tickets and other documents have been issued).

Payment Schedule:

For all programs the deposit is $610.00 per person at time of booking (make check payable to Kathy Loper Events). Add Travel Protection Plan (ask for quote) per person if desired. Balance due by latest 10March2013. (Final invoice will be sent out by 15Feb2013).

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KLE CA Reg # 2080745-40

May 2013

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