Ultra Gobi A

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

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🗓️ SEPTEMBER 27 TO OCTOBER 4, 2026 | 📍 GOBI DESERT, CHINA

The Ultra Gobi A is the original event that started it all. For two decades, teams from the world's leading business schools have gathered in the Gobi Desert to cover 121 kilometers together over four days. It is a team race in the truest sense: the team's official result is determined by the finishing time of the 6th member to cross the line. Nobody gets left behind.

Over 20 editions, the event has attracted 99 top business schools from Asia, Europe and the Americas, with more than 207 teams and 79,000 participants.

At a Glance

Format: Individual stage race (4 days, 3 nights).

Daily cutoff: 6 to 8 hours per stage

Navigation: Marked with flags throughout

Support: Full camp support. Meals, water, medical, tents provided.

Stages: 4 stages, each between 25 and 35km

Distance: 121km

Difficulty: Challenging but accessible. Built for committed participants of all fitness levels.

Terrain: Desert plains, gravel, sand, Silk Road heritage sites

The Course

Starting in 2026, the A, B and C formats share the same 121km course. Teams start each morning and complete their daily stage before the cutoff.

The route was mapped in collaboration with archaeologists and scholars and has been recognized as a "Linear Cultural Heritage" by local authorities. It passes through the historic site of Suoyang City, connects Silk Road heritage sites, and crosses the Gobi landscape against the backdrop of the Northern Qilian Mountains.

Each stage is between 25 and 35km. The course is marked with flags. Terrain includes firm desert plains, gravel tracks, and sandy sections.

📎 GPX and KML files will be published before each edition.

On the Course

  • Each night, a complete mobile campsite is built along the course. Over 700 tents, 2,000+ staff members, a 10,000 sqm site with a power system exceeding 800 kilowatts. Everything is disassembled and moved the next day, leaving no trace.

    Facilities include eco-friendly toilets, coffee service, massage and sports rehabilitation. An equipment expo is set up in camp for on-site resupply.

  • Buffet breakfast and dinner at camp. Packed lunch to carry during the day. Fruits and snacks at larger checkpoints. Local specialties include lamb stew, beef noodles, grapes, Hami melon and Li Guang apricots.

    All ingredients are purchased fresh and transported directly to the course and camp.

  • The racecourse is marked with flags. Checkpoints are staffed with volunteers and race officials. Medical support is available at checkpoints and at camp.

    Each team includes a designated team physician or medical assistant who holds a medical license and provides medical support throughout the event.

    Professional sports rehabilitation therapists are available in camp each day.

Planning & Logistics

  • Sep. 27 to 30: Airport/station pickup. Arrival in Dunhuang

    Sep. 28 to 30: Check-in, registration, team leader meeting, "Wonderful Life" Expo

    Sep. 29: Opening ceremony

    Sep. 30: Business School Dean's Forum

    Oct. 1 to 4: Stage race (4 stages)

    Oct. 4: Award ceremony

  • The Ultra Gobi A experience stretches beyond the four race days. The full program includes a welcome reception, opening ceremony, the "Wonderful Life" Expo (outdoor gear, lifestyle services, regional food), and a Business School Dean's Forum.

    After the final stage, all teams gather for the award ceremony. The shared moment of completing the journey together is the heart of the event.

    Participants only need to arrange their travel to and from Dunhuang. The Ultra Gobi team handles airport pickups, shuttles, and all on-site logistics.

Registration & Pricing

  • Included:

    • Race bib and race pack

    • Medal and finisher t-shirt

    • Tent accommodation at desert camps (3 nights)

    • All meals during the race (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner)

    • Water and snacks at checkpoints

    • Drop-bag service

    • Airport pickup and dropoff from Dunhuang

    • Shuttle to and from race start and between stages

    • Opening ceremony, award ceremony, expo

    • Sports rehabilitation services

    • Professional race photos and videos

    Not included:

    • Round-trip travel to and from Dunhuang

    • Accommodation in Dunhuang before and after the race

    • Personal expenses

  • The Ultra Gobi A is organized through participating institutions (universities, business schools, corporate teams). Teams register through their institution's organizing committee.

    Team composition: 6 to 10 members per team. Team result is determined by the finishing time of the 6th member.

    Categories: EMBA, MBA, Open, Executive Education (EE), Geyou Alumni, Corporate, Brand, International

    For international teams: Contact us at ultragobiseries@gmail.com.

2025 Race Highlights

Relive the action of the 2025 edition below or on our YouTube channel.

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

  • The Ultra Gobi offers a chance for introspection and personal growth. It's a place where entrepreneurs can find solace and challenge themselves.

    – WANG, Shi
    Founder, Vanke Group

  • 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

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.

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

FAQs

  • The 2026 Ultra Gobi B takes place Sep. 27 to Oct. 4, 2026.

  • The Ultra Gobi A is a team event. Individual registration is not available. If you are interested in an individual format, consider the A+ (121km, nonstop) or B (121km, stage) formats.

  • Yes. International universities and organizations are welcome. Contact us at ultragobiseries@gmail.com.

  • The A format is designed to be challenging but accessible. Stages are 25 to 35km per day with cutoffs of 6 to 8 hours, which allows for a mix of running and trekking. Teams with mixed fitness levels can succeed if they prepare together.

  • Weather in the Gobi around Dunhuang in early October is typically cool and dry with occasional strong winds. Average temperature around 19°C, with highs reaching 28°C during the day and lows dropping to -3°C at night. Temperature swings of 30°C within a single day are common. Mandatory equipment rules are strictly enforced to keep participants safe.

  • Citizens of 50 countries, including most EU member states, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Canada and several Gulf states, can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. All other nationalities require a Chinese tourist visa (L-visa). Check current requirements at visaforchina.org.

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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