Nearly 1,500 runners from more than 50 countries took part in the Great Wall of China marathon, navigating across steep stone steps, mountain roads and rural villages. The race features a full marathon, half marathon and an 8.5-km fun run, with the longest course taking runners over 5,164 steps on the ancient wonder. Organizers describe the route as one of the world's toughest marathon courses, with sections of uneven stone steps and steep climb. This year's field included 493 runners in the ful

Why did a US journalist travel to NW China to learn about the CPC?