
The Great Wall of China took more than 280 million man-years to construct, and parts of it are more than 2 200 years old ©Peter Kirk

The Ming section of the Great Wall follows the hilliest terrain, and took more than 250 years to build ©Peter Kirk

The map of the route, showing starting point in the east at Shanhaiguan to the finish point in the west, just beyond Jiayuguan

The Great Wall is made up of towers, turrets, drop-offs, dead-ends, massive cliffs and eroding ridges ©Peter Kirk

Raising funds for Operation Smile in South Africa and to increase awareness for kidney dialysis in China ©Peter Kirk
“No journey like this would be of much value if I were to come home with only the self-fulfilment of what I have achieved. The real success of any journey is when it is bigger than any individual. Knowing that through our efforts we can touch hearts and change the lives of those around us, and make a difference in a stranger’s life, is what gives journeys like this value.”

The terrain has been gruelling on their bodies ©Peter Kirk
- Distance so far: +3 700km, across one and a half time zones
- Coldest temps experienced: minus 17 degs C
- Hottest temps: 50 degs C (in the Gobi Desert)
- Average distance per day: 72km (they ran 84km a couple of days ago)
- Weight lost between them: 20kg
- Running shoes used: 3 pairs each
- Completion day: 3 July
- Target to raise: R100 000
* SMS ‘smiles’ to 39051 for a R100 donation
or
* hop onto the Back to The Wall’s Givengain page: http://bit.ly/DG-BTW-Giving

The Great Wall tends to follow the highest ridgelines as it winds across the countryside ©Peter Kirk

David climbing one of the turrets as the wall summits a hill ©Peter Kirk

Andy looks amused at the miles and miles… and miles of Great Wall ahead ©Peter Kirk

The intrepid photographer of the expedition, Peter Kirk

This photo doesn’t need much explanation… ©Peter Kirk

The Great Wall was designed with massive defensive characteristics, including watch towers and turrets ©Peter Kirk
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