Today, I ran my 22nd “Great Wall Marathon”. A knee injury in April had threatened the experience, and a new and tougher course had also prompted some reflection.
The weather on the day was cooler than usual, which must have worked to my advantage. On the other hand, there were strong winds along certain stretches.
The new course offered more climbs and hilly terrain. The hardships were outweighed by the fact that the experience was more breathtaking than ever before.
Except for the climbs and the water stations, I managed to run the whole way – with a smile on my face and without any crises. From start to finish, I had the energy to respond to the cheers of the spectators.
It turned out to be a truly fantastic day. I could feel my left knee, sure, but it didn’t cause any problems at all. I crossed the finish line 36 minutes faster than last year and with my fastest time since 2016. It was my ninth-fastest time out of the 22.
I’m so happy and already looking forward to 2026.
