Put on your trainers and enjoy a day at the races

In May Beijing's Great Wall, the largest man-made structure in the world, will be overtaken not by just one but by three marathons. Drawing in over 3,000 runners each year, all circuits along the World Heritage fortification offer participants one huge selling point on top of the normal sense of accomplishment: stunning scenery.

The racing craze commences on May 1 with the Great Wall of China Marathon. The inaugural race, of which 95 percent happens on the wall, includes tracks of 42 and 21 kilometers, as well as a 10 km walking route for strollers. The event is lower in profile, so organizers can't close the wall off for tourists, which means you might bump into more placid visitors striking a pose for the camera.

The running rage hits another peak on May 12 with the North Face Challenge Beijing. Featuring trails, dirt road and a bit of rock climbing, this 100K is the ultimate challenge, said past contestants.

Then the Great Wall Marathon happens on May 19 when a running squadron of 2,000 - locals, tourists and overseas runners - take to the Great Wall. "The view when you're up on the wall is just magical! Running through the countryside getting flowers and high-fives from the kids, as well as lots of "jia you!" is fantastic! The atmosphere amongst the runners is great," described 21-year-old Evelina Edström, who ran the Great Wall Marathon twice, in 2009 and 2011. "Looking up at the steep serpentine of steps of the wall behind you, being so crazy tired and insanely proud of yourself - that is just the best feeling!" said the Swedish runner, who never won the race, but went up the score board from being amongst the last to finish within the time limit in 2009 to being 24th of all women last year.

"It's tough! Stairs and more stairs! Marathons at the wall are hilly, with lots of steps!" warned 28-year-old Linus Holmsäter, winner of the Great Wall Marathon in 2008. "Except for the daredevils, big parts of the wall mean walking instead of running for most people, which minimizes the difficulty," Holmsäter added.

"It's beautiful scenery, but don't think for a second that you'll be able to see it. It all goes by quickly and you better watch your step, stay 100 percent focused on putting your feet down right, or else you might come down the wall faster than you think," said the Swedish runner, who is also the fitness instructor who introduced Heyrobics to Beijing and is managing HeyRunning, China's biggest international running community.

Holmsäter recommends participants vary their workouts. Do stair training by walking up stairs over taking the elevator, train in the hills on the outskirts of town, and do cross training.

"Running a lot is of course the way to become a better and faster runner, but combining it with Heyrobics has at least for me been the perfect combination," he adds, talking of how to become stronger and avoid injuries.

This is the 13th time that the Great Wall Marathon has taken place; only SARS in 2003 stopped the event. Entries are limited to 2,000 people. Last year 2,000 participated and 1,915 went all the way to the finish line. The marathon age limit is 18 years and 16 for the half marathon; there's no age limit for the shorter distance tracks.

According to the organizers, Jamie Kjær Nortoft from Denmark was the youngest participant ever, taking the 5 km track at the age of four, while 82-year-old American Marilyn Olen was the oldest person to run the half marathon. The most famous runner to sign up for the challenge is Henrik Brandt from Denmark, who finished all 12 Great Wall marathons to date.

Great Wall of China Marathon - May 1

Jinshanling Great Wall: 42 km, 21km, 10 km, 10 km and 5 km walking

Registration ends April 30

Race entry costs 1,250 yuan ($198) and the fee includes food, drink, transport, timing chip, T-shirt, entry to the Great Wall and marathon after party

www.greatwallmarathon.com.cn

North Face Challenge Beijing - May 12

Juyongguan Great Wall (100 km) and Shisanling Reservoir (50 km and 10 km)

Registration closes on May 10

Race entry between 150-600 yuan

www.thenorthface100.com.cn/en

Great Wall Marathon - May 19

Huangyaguan Great Wall: 42 km, 21 km, 10km and 5 km

Registration closed already, but runners can still apply to a waiting list.

Race entry is 1,500 yuan (plus 100 yuan late fee), includes bus from International Hotel, food, drink and entry to the Great Wall. Runners must also buy a 290 yuan timing chip.

www.great-wall-marathon.com