Ultra Gobi AlUla: the Series comes to Saudi Arabia

The Ultra Gobi Series brings runners and trekkers from around the world to landscapes that have carried travellers, traders and pilgrims for over a thousand years.

In the Gobi Desert, runners follow the ancient Silk Road through Northwest China. In AlUla, Saudi Arabia, they pass Nabataean tombs and oasis valleys along the old Spice Route.

Since 2006, more than 79,000 participants have taken part and we can’t wait to meet you at our events.

GO BEYOND. GOBI BEYOND.

TWO DESERT DESTINATIONS

Gobi Desert, China
The iconic endurance event along the ancient Silk Road.
- Date: Sep. 27 - Oct. 4, 2026
- Location: Dunhuang, China
- Non-stop race: A+(121km)
- Multi-stage formats: A (121km, 4-days, team race), B (121km, 4-days, stage), C (30km, 1-day)
- Registration: open
More Info
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Go beyond in a historic oasis where the Spice Route once thrived.
- Date: 13–20 January 2027
- Location: AlUla, Saudi Arabia
- Non-stop races: 400km, A+ (121km)
- Multi-stage formats: A (121km, 4-days, team race), B (121km, 4-days, stage), C (30km, 1-day), Youth (90km, 3-days, stage)
- Registration: opening soon
More Info

UPCOMING EVENTS

A+ (121km, nonstop), Gobi Desert

$1,460.00

121km. Nonstop. One night in the desert.

◆ 121km. Nonstop
◆ 30 hrs cutoff
◆ Self-navigated
◆ Self-supported
◆ 200+ runners

A (121km, 4-days, team race), Gobi Desert

$2,810.00

121km as a team. 4 days, 3 nights in the Gobi.

◆ 121km, 4 stages
◆ Teams of 6 to 10
◆ Marked racecourse
◆ Full camp support with meals
◆ Top global business schools

Learn More

B (121km, 4-days, stage), Gobi Desert

$2,810.00

121km over 4 days. Your pace, your journey.

◆ 121km, 4 stages
◆ Individual race, registered via institution
◆ Marked racecourse
◆ Full camp support with meals
◆ Open to all levels

C (17/30km, 1-day), Gobi Desert

$1,010.00

One day on the ancient Silk Road.

◆ 17 or 30km
◆ 1-day hiking experience
◆ Marked course
◆ Suitable for all fitness levels
◆ Maximum cultural immersion

Learn More

20

Years of Gobi experience

Since 2006 we offer an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most stunning places: the Gobi Desert.

We already welcomed more than 74,000 participants. When will you join?

THE 2025 ULTRA GOBI 400km DOCUMENTARY

The Ultra Gobi Series

A man sitting on a chair outdoors on a sunny day pouring water over his head from a plastic water bottle, wearing athletic clothes, sunglasses, and a backpack.

Two people sitting on steps outside, both wearing bright orange jackets, sunglasses, athletic pants, and sneakers, smiling and making hand gestures.

Multiple rescue workers in high-visibility clothing walking through a barren, mountainous desert landscape.

Male ultramarathon runner in desert, wearing black shirt, hydration pack, and multiple wristbands, holding a water bottle, looking to the side.

A man wearing a white cap, red and blue athletic clothing, and fingerless gloves sits on the ground opening a package, with a backpack and water bottle nearby.

Group of runners participating in a race through a dry, mountainous desert landscape with scattered green trees and shrubs.

A young man dressed in outdoor hiking gear, including a red puffer jacket, black beanie with a headlamp, and black pants, standing on a gravel trail in a desolate landscape with mountains in the background, looking at his phone.

Overhead view of a large beach campground with colorful tents, parked cars, and a sunset over the ocean in the background.

A man trail running through a shallow creek with hills and clear blue sky in the background, wearing a red long sleeve shirt, navy shorts, sunglasses, and a cap, carrying a backpack and using trekking poles.

A male trail runner wearing sunglasses, a helmet, a bib with logos, and a hydration vest, smiling and giving a thumbs-up outdoors with a blurred mountain background.

A group of marathon runners dressed in colorful uniforms and wearing face masks, running through a desert landscape under an overcast sky.

A woman in a white cap hugs a person in a red jacket, holding a small bouquet of flowers.

Group of seven hikers walking together during sunset with colorful sky in the background.

Group of runners in athletic gear running along a dirt trail through a rugged desert landscape with hills and sparse bushes.

Four marathon runners dressed in blue and black athletic gear running on a gravel trail in an arid landscape.

Three hikers wearing red vests and backpacks hike across a barren, hilly desert landscape with distant mountains in the background.

Group of five runners participating in a race through a desert landscape, wearing athletic gear, hydration packs, and race bibs.

A person hiking in the desert, wearing hiking boots, shorts, and carrying a backpack, using trekking poles on sandy terrain.

A male runner wearing sunglasses, a blue shirt, and a red race bib runs on a dirt trail during a marathon in a desert landscape, with several other runners behind him.

A man hiking in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.

Man wearing a cap, athletic clothing, and a backpack climbing a steep concrete slope near a dry riverbed in a desert area with power lines and towers in the background.

Large group of marathon runners gathered at the starting line, preparing to begin a race through a historic city gate.

A man running on a rocky trail during sunrise, wearing athletic gear, sunglasses, and a cap with a white cloth over his head.

A man trail running in a desert with camels in the background and mountains in the distance.

A man with long hair, wearing a yellow headband and a red, white, and blue jacket, holds a bouquet of flowers and appears emotional or teary-eyed.

Two hikers walking on a trail in a desert landscape with mountains in the background, one using a phone and the other holding a tool.

A person hiking at night with a headlamp, walking on a trail in the dark.

DESERT EXPERIENCE. REDEFINED

Set against some of the world's most remarkable landscapes, the Ultra Gobi Series takes you to unforgettable places. From the dunes of the Gobi Desert to the oasis of AlUla, each location combines natural beauty with centuries of history.

Follow paths shaped by culture and trade

From ancient Silk Road hubs in Dunhuang and Guazhou to AlUla's UNESCO World Heritage sites, the routes pass through places where history is visible at every turn. In Dunhuang, relics of caravan routes and historic postal stations sit beside desert landscapes shaped by centuries of exchange. In AlUla, Hegra's rock-carved Nabataean tombs and the inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah date back more than 2,000 years.

Ancient desert landscape with large mud-brick ruins and smaller destroyed structures, surrounded by sparse vegetation and distant mountains.

A journey for all

Whether you are looking for a solo nonstop race, the teamwork of a multi-day group event, or a cultural trek with friends, the Ultra Gobi Series offers formats for different levels of experience. From the 400km ultra to the one-day C format, each event is designed to be challenging and rewarding. Explore at your own pace, share moments with others, and experience how culture, landscape and personal effort come together.

Step into wild, untamed landscapes

From the rolling dunes and mountains of the Gobi to the dramatic canyons and desert oases of AlUla, the Ultra Gobi Series immerses you in raw nature. Along the way, you may spot camels, goats, and other resilient wildlife. Every step brings a mix of adventure, discovery, and awe-inspiring scenery.

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

The Ultra Gobi experience mirrors an entrepreneur's journey, filled with trials and triumphs that only they can fully appreciate. It is through enduring solitude and adversity that one can push through limits and achieve greatness.
– LIU, Chuanzhi
Founder, Lenovo
Finisher, Ultra Gobi 121km TEAM
I was blown away by the support at the aid stations and check points. All the volunteers were amazing. The went all out of the way to help us.
– Nicolette Booyens
2nd place finisher
Ultra Gobi 400km
The Ultra Gobi offers a chance for introspection and personal growth. It's a place where entrepreneurs can find solace and challenge themselves.
In today's fast-paced business world, many entrepreneurs are caught in a relentless pursuit of success. They need to learn to slow down and let go of their burdens to truly thrive.
– WANG, Shi
Founder, Vanke Group
Finisher, Ultra Gobi 121km TEAM
It was fun in the first half of the course to see very different cultural areas, and then on the second half to see nothing but beautiful wilderness.
– Bryon Powell
1st place finisher,
Ultra Gobi 400km
Seeking answers, I took my team to the Ultra Gobi. This experience had a profound impact on Alibaba's entrepreneurial journey.
Over 4 days and 121km, we encountered disappointment, frustration, setbacks, and pain. Yet, ultimately, we had to believe in the power of perseverance.
– HU, Xiaoming
CEO, Ant Group
Finisher, Ultra Gobi 121km TEAM
The Gobi experience has bonded us like family.
– PING, Gang
CKGSB, EMBA
Finisher, Ultra Gobi 121km TEAM
Life is a journey, and we have to keep going.
– Sange Sherpa
2nd place finisher,
Ultra Gobi 400km
Step forward, and let the change unfold.
– LI, Wei
Peking University Guanghua School of Management, EMBA
Finisher, Ultra Gobi 121km TEAM
I returned to the race in 2024 for the challenge and to experience the culture and the people again. But also to see where I can improve and what I can learn about myself.
– Byron Powell
1st place finisher,
Ultra Gobi 400km

LATEST NEWS

News

May 14, 2026

Ultra Gobi AlUla: the Series comes to Saudi Arabia

May 14, 2026

We have been working on this for a long time. Now we are proud to share it with all of you. Ultra Gobi AlUla is the series' first edition outside of China. From January 13 to 20, 2027, runners, trekkers, and teams from around the world will gather in AlUla, northwestern Saudi Arabia, for what we believe will be an extraordinary new chapter for Ultra Gobi.