TAYLOR: For centuries the sun has risen over this man made wonder. The Great Wall of China snakes for thousands of kilometres across formidable territory. It was built to keep invading barbarians out and the Chinese in but today foreigners and locals alike, are welcome. Hundreds have arrived here at Huangyaguan, north east of Beijing. They’re runners who’ll soon compete in a gruelling event along the Wall itself.

DAVE CUNDY: This is about getting you familiar with the various runs that we’ll be doing on Saturday.

TAYLOR: Australians Dave Cundy and his wife Fran Seton are marathon managers. They travel the world organising long distance races.

FRAN SETON: There’s thirty-eight hundred steps. They aren’t even steps. You can’t get a stride going. The temperature’s hot. It’s very dry. There’s a bit of altitude but mainly the last climb back up onto the wall after running thirty-six kilometres, they then have to get on their hands and knees and physically drag themselves back to the wall again. I think that’s their biggest challenge.

TAYLOR: No quick times here. It’s about grit.

WOMAN MARATHON RUNNER: How’d you beat me here?

DAVE CUNDY: Times in the Great Wall marathon are really irrelevant. People are here for the challenge of saying that they conquered the Great Wall.

TAYLOR: According to the Chinese philosopher Confucius, you must walk before you run. For many it’s their first look at this daunting course and enough to make some of them quit even before the crack of the starter’s gun.

Are you scared of heights?

WOMAN MARATHON RUNNER: Yes I don’t like heights.

TAYLOR: How do you think you’ll go on Saturday?

WOMAN MARATHON RUNNER: I think after today I’m going to change my mind. I think I want to go shopping at the Pearl Market.

TAYLOR: The opportunity to run along one of the great wonders of the world has lured runners from all over the globe. Dan Newbill Junior has come from Hawaii.

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: I’m 73 years old and I thought this would be a great challenge to come and do the Great Wall marathon.

TAYLOR: He’s already completed more than fifty marathons and ultra marathons and he has no intention of tossing away his running shoes just yet.

How long do you think you’re going to keep doing this?

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: Oh until it’s no longer fun but I mean I don’t see anything that says I have to stop at any particular time.

TAYLOR: It’s race day and the locals turn up to send the runners on their way. While these performers are happy just to entertain, other locals are here to run. Motivated by personal challenge, inspired by national pride, university student Qi Xiaoling has decided less is more, settling for the half marathon.

QI XIAOLING: First, the Great Wall is a symbol of the Chinese nation – it’s the backbone of China, that’s what we always say. So from my personal view, the Great Wall Marathon has a much deeper meaning than just climbing the wall. Completing the Great Wall Marathon is a symbol of spirit. It has a profound meaning, I think.

TAYLOR: In an ancient setting a decidedly modern warm up. Then it’s time to go. The top class competitors will finish the race in less than four hours. All those running the full marathon will cover 42 kilometres.

Thought you said you weren’t going to do it?

WOMAN MARATHON RUNNER: Still scared out of my mind! I’m afraid of heights.

TAYLOR: For the Chinese, the Great Wall is a symbol of national unity and pride. It’s one of the world’s great landmarks. For these runners, it’s also an obstacle to be conquered, a symbol of personal achievement and today will be a day they never forget.

As with all great marathons, the worst is yet to come. Thirty-five kilometres in they’re forced up the “goat track” to get back onto these ancient ramparts. It’s here that they hit their own mental and physical wall, as they rise 300 metres in the space of just a kilometre.

It’s a different story for student Qi Xiaoling. She’s finished the half marathon, her energy depleted but her patriotism boosted.

QI XIAOLING: I feel the Great Wall is the greatest project. We have to admire the wisdom of ancient working people.

TAYLOR: Dean arrives but he still has to run the Wall a second time.

How you feeling Dan, you doing alright?

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: Oh yeah I’m doing all right. I’m a little beat up though.

TAYLOR: Is it tougher than you thought it would be?

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: Oh yeah, it’s tough all right.

TAYLOR: Are you going to make it?

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: Oh I hope so. It’ll depend on the time.

TAYLOR: Despite cramps, Dan pushes on and on and up and up the goat track.

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: I’ve got really bad cramps in my calf which are slowing me down …

TAYLOR: He finally makes it onto the Wall but it’s hard going.

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: Don’t waste your film on the death march here.

TAYLOR: Not long after, Dan is spotted on the road still going strong. After eight harrowing hours, Dan Newbill Junior rounds the corner for home.

SPECTATOR: Great job Dan!

TAYLOR: How was it Dan?

DAN NEWBILL JUNIOR: Really tough. I can’t begin to tell you how tough. Course we, we slowed down a little bit for the cameras, of course.

TAYLOR: He’s among the last to finish but it doesn’t really matter. By any standard Dan is a winner, a champion. He’s pushed himself to the absolute limit. Well not quite. Since the marathon, he’s completed a glacier climb in Switzerland.