Genghis Khan Grassland Extreme
Xilin Gol, China
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 11K
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Run through grasslands of Inner Mongolia
Transport out to a small town at the border of Inner Mongolia is hit and miss due to the erratic airline traffic. You will need to know mandarin or book … MORE
Transport out to a small town at the border of Inner Mongolia is hit and miss due to the erratic airline traffic. You will need to know mandarin or book the race hotel or it’ll be a tough go. Logistics is nowhere near Western standards.
The run itself is in the middle of a three-day biking event through all of the rolling hills and grasslands. If you traveled far to get here, don’t expect the Great Wall marathon’s fanfare and setup. It’s not any amenities besides a big bus where they stuff your bags for check-in and some watermelon in the end. The star is mainly for the bikers and this Mongolian hut are outside the town where they stage the bike races.
The course doesn’t need marking as there are many runners and everyone just follow the line of runners. You see pastures of sheep grazing and cows and a few horses. The stations are well spaced out and sufficient where you only need a handheld bottle.
Swag: a tight biking shirt and medal with the runner’s portrait who set the course record on one side of the medal. Never had a medal with the record holder on it.
There is some standard touristy things at the yurt biking area, like archery, horse riding, and food. Saw a biker with a big bottle of John Walker’s after a long day’s bike ride.
It’s worth doing if you are entering the bike portion as well. The race is only worth it if you’re already in the country for holiday.