Ultra Gobi A

The unique team running race in the heart of the Gobi Desert.

🗓️ SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 4, 2025 | 📍 GOBI DESERT, CHINA

For the past two decades, thousands of participants have gathered in the Gobi Desert each year for this iconic 4-day, 121km team stage event. It is a unique experience for ambitious runners from around the globe

Over the last 19 editions, the race has attracted 99 top business schools from Asia, Europe, and America, with over 207 teams and 60,000 participants taking part.

GO BEYOND. GOBI BEYOND.

The most iconic Gobi team race

  • 121km
  • Stage format
  • 6-10 persons per team
  • Each stage between 25 and 35km
  • 4 days, 3 nights
  • UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Top global Business Schools
A group of runners participating in a race through a dry, desert landscape, with one runner in front and others following behind, some carrying a flag and wearing athletic gear.

Race Schedule

  • The 2025 Ultra Gobi A race will be held in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, from Sep. 28 - Oct. 4, 2025.

  • Sep. 27-30: Airport/Station Pick-up

  • Sep. 28: Check-in and Registration, Team Leader Meeting, “Wonderful Life” Expo

  • Sep. 29: Opening Ceremony

  • Sep 30: Ultra Gobi Business School Dean's Forum

  • Oct. 1-4: Stage race

  • Oct. 4: Award Ceremony

A group of marathon runners running on a desert trail with a red race flag in the foreground.

Course

The event course was meticulously mapped with the collaboration of archaeologists and scholars, earning a recognition as a “Linear Cultural Heritage” (heritage sites in linear cultural regions) by the local authority. 

This remarkable route winds through the historic Site of Suoyang City, where Master Xuanzang spent a transformative month. It connects various iconic cultural heritage sites along the Silk Roads, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Northern Qilian Mountains, nestled within the breathtaking Gobi Desert.

Rest & recovery

Participants set up camp in a mobile campsite each night after completing their stage. We provide food, water, eco-friendly toilets, and sports rehabilitation services.

Each overnight camp turns the Gobi Desert into a “City for One Night”, vanishing without a trace the next day, in line with our strictly enforced Leave-No-Trace policies.

Race supplies

Food is included as a part of the Ultra Gobi A registration fee.

Buffet breakfast and dinner are served during the race at the campsite, and a packed lunch is provided for each participant to bring with them during the trek/run.

Additionally, supplies such as fruits and light snacks will be available at large checkpoints along the racecourse each day.

Get ready to savor authentic and delicious local cuisines such as grilled lamb and beef noodles, alongside a selection of locally grown fruits including grapes, melons, apricots, and dates.

A male marathon runner wearing sunglasses, a red jacket, and a race bib, is filling water bottles at a hydration station during a race.

Destination

The challenge takes place near Dunhuang, located in the Gansu Province of Northwest China. The area is known as the “Hexi Corridor” and the “golden section” of the ancient Silk Road, with rich and unique natural, cultural and historical resources.

The 121km A+/A course retraces the footsteps of Master Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk and an iconic figure in the Silk Road history. Over 1300 years ago, he embarked on a pilgrimage to India in search of sacred scriptures: “Until I reach Tianzhu (India), I shall not take one step back eastward!”

Master Xuanzang found himself in a life-threatening situation in this very land, going through four days and five nights without a drop of water, and nearly died. Yet, with unwavering faith and determination, he managed to survive the Gobi Desert, and continued on with his journey to India.

A traditional Chinese pagoda with five tiers, painted red with white accents, built into a rocky hillside, surrounded by green vegetation and trees.

Embark on a mythical journey. Watch the 2024 race documentary

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Step forward, and let the change unfold.

    – LI, Wei

    Peking University Guanghua School of Management, EMBA
    Finisher, Ultra Gobi 121km TEAM

FAQs

  • Our 20th Ultra Gobi A race will be held beginning of October, 2025.

  • Around Dunhuang, Gansu Province of Northwest China. A culturally rich part of the historical Silk Road.

  • USD $2,810 (CNY 18,900)

    Registration includes:

    • Race bib & race pack

    • Event medal

    • Meals and refreshments during the event

    • Campsite services

    • Drop-bag transportation

    • Shuttle to/from Dunhuang airport

    • Shuttle to/from race start and finish point

    • Opening ceremony

    • Safety briefings

    • Award ceremony

    • Professional race photos & videos

    Registration does not include:

    • Round-trip tickets to/from Dunhuang

    • Accommodation in Dunhuang prior and after the race

    • Personal expenses

  • This race is exclusive to business school, EMBA and MBA programs and corporate teams.

    If you are interested in joining, please send an email to: ultragobiseries@gmail.com

  • Each year, over 5,000 participants from EMBA, MBA, EE, and DBA programs, along with brand teams from all around the world participant in this unique event.

    We invite you to join us in 2025 for a grand gathering and celebration of our 20th anniversary.

  • Weather in the Gobi deserts around Dunhuang in early to mid-October, is typically cool and dry, and there can be strong winds.

    The average temperature during this period is around 19°C (66°F), with highs reaching 28°C (82°F) and lows dropping to -3°C (26.6°F) at night.

    Temperature can change drastically in the Gobi deserts, with a 30°C (86°F) temperature change throughout the day.

    Mandatory equipments are strictly enforced to ensure the safety of our participants.

2024 Highlights

Relive the action of the 2024 edition day by day with our video series below or on our YouTube channel.

Nighttime scene of a group of runners participating in a race, wearing matching red and yellow athletic uniforms with numbered bibs, headlamps, and running gear.
Three hikers walking with a flag at sunset in a desert landscape.
Group of trail runners in red hats and black running gear running in a desert landscape with hills in the background.
A person running through a shallow water stream, splashing water with colorful running shoes, wearing black athletic clothing and white socks.
Group of runners in orange shirts and white caps running through a desert landscape with mountains, a lake, and sparse vegetation in the background.
Group of marathon runners at the start line, holding colorful flags, with a banner and a clear blue sky in the background.
A group of marathon runners in colorful athletic gear running through a desert landscape with ancient stone formations in the background.
A person in athletic gear running through water with splashes, against a clear blue sky during daytime.

Hall of Fame: the champions since 2006

  • Logo of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business including Chinese characters and English text.

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    1st Edition Champion (2006)

  • Logo of SEM Tsinghua University EMBA on a black background.

    Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management

    2nd Edition Champion (2007)

  • Logo of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, with Chinese characters and English text.

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    3rd Edition Champion (2008)

  • Logo for CEIBS with Chinese characters and a red stylized symbol.

    China Europe International Business School

    4th Edition Champion (2009)

  • Logo for CEIBS with Chinese characters and a red stylized symbol

    China Europe International Business School

    5th Edition Champion (2010)

  • Logo for CEIBS, with red Chinese character symbol and Chinese text underneath, on a white background.

    China Europe International Business School

    6th Edition Champion (2011)

  • Logo for CEIBS with Chinese characters below.

    China Europe International Business School

    7th Edition Champion (2012)

  • Logo for Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, featuring Chinese characters and a blue square graphic.

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    8th Edition Champion (2013)

  • Logos and Chinese characters for Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    9th Edition Champion (2014)

  • Logo of the School of Management at Xiamen University featuring a wave and Chinese characters.

    Xiamen University School of Management

    10th Edition Champion (2015)

  • Logo with red square icon and the text 'EMBA' with Chinese characters below.

    Antai College of Economics & Management

    11th Edition Champion (2016)

  • Logo with the word EMBA, Chinese characters, and a red square icon with abstract building design.

    Antai College of Economics & Management

    12th Edition Champion (2017)

  • Logo with red square containing stylized building, text 'EMBA', and Chinese characters below.

    Antai College of Economics & Management

    13th Edition Champion (2018)

  • Logo for EMBA program with Chinese characters beneath and an abstract building icon.

    Antai College of Economics & Management

    14th Edition Champion (2019)

  • Logo with red symbol, the text 'CEIBS' and Chinese characters beneath it.

    China Europe International Business School

    15th Edition Champion (2020)

  • Logo of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business with Chinese characters and English text

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    16th Edition Champion (2021)

  • Logo of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business with Chinese characters.

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    17th Edition Champion (2023)

  • Logo for CEIBS featuring a red stylized symbol, the acronym 'CEIBS,' and Chinese characters underneath.

    China Europe International Business School

    18th Edition Champion (2023)

  • Logo of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business with Chinese characters and English text.

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    19th Edition Champion (2024)

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