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🗓️ JANUARY 13 TO 15, 2027 | 📍 ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA
The Ultra Gobi A+ in AlUla is a 121km nonstop solo race to be completed within 30 hours. This is the first time the A+ format is held outside of China. It is open to international runners without any restrictions.
The course is self-navigated. Runners start on January 14 and move through sandstone canyons, desert plains, and past Nabataean tombs and ancient trade route ruins. From daylight into the desert night and back again.
At a Glance
Navigation: Self-navigated via personal GPS device
Support: Self-supported. Water at checkpoints and aid stations.
Terrain: Sandstone canyons, desert, oases, rocky valleys
Difficulty: Very demanding. Trail/ultra running experience required.
Participants: Runners from around the world
Distance: 121km
Format: Solo, nonstop
Cutoff: 30 hours
The Course
The A+ course takes runners through AlUla's core landscape along the ancient Spice Route. The route passes Hegra's monumental Nabataean tombs, the archaeological site of Dadan, and terrain that alternates between desert plains, oases, sandstone formations, and mountain valleys.
This is a self-navigated race. The course is not marked. Runners navigate using their own GPS device with coordinates provided before the race.
📎 GPX and KML files will be published before each edition.
On the Course
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Water and basic support are available at checkpoints along the course. Runners carry their own food and supplies.
Medical support is available at checkpoints and on the course.
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All runners carry a GPS tracker provided by the organizing committee for real-time monitoring. Checkpoints are staffed with trained volunteers and race officials. Medical support is available throughout the race.
The race operates a 24/7 safety system for the full duration of the event
Planning & Logistics
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⚠️ Schedule is preliminary and subject to change.
Jan 13: Check-in, registration, race briefing, opening ceremony
Jan 14: A+ race start
Jan 15: A+ cutoff. Award ceremony
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Participants check in on January 13. The program includes a race briefing and the opening ceremony shared with all Ultra Gobi AlUla formats.
After the race, runners gather for the A+ award ceremony on January 15.
Participants arrange their own travel to and from AlUla. The organizing team can assist with accommodation recommendations.
Registration & Pricing
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Included:
Race bib and race pack
Medal and finisher t-shirt
Drinking water at checkpoints
GPS tracker
Opening ceremony
Award ceremony
Professional race photos and videos
Not included:
Round-trip travel to and from AlUla
Accommodation
Personal food and supplies
Personal expenses
Travel and medical insurance
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Eligibility:
Minimum age: 18 years
Health declaration required
Mandatory: completion of at least one 100km+ race or two 50km+ races in the past two years
Prize money (men's and women's categories):
1st place: 18,000 SAR
2nd place: 10,800 SAR
3rd place: 7,200 SAR
The A+ is open to all runners who meet the qualification criteria. No prior Ultra Gobi participation required.
January 2027: The Founding Edition
The first A+ outside of China. 30 hours to cover 121km through 7,000 years of history. Open to all.
Results, stories, and race highlights will be shared here after the event.
Destination
AlUla, northwestern Saudi Arabia. A valley cut between towering sandstone cliffs, home to one of the oldest continuously inhabited oases on the Arabian Peninsula. Over 7,000 years of civilization have left their mark here. The most striking: Hegra, where the Nabataeans carved more than 100 monumental tombs into the rock face. The same people who built Petra in Jordan, only here without the crowds. Beyond the race, there is plenty to explore: a preserved mud brick old town, ancient inscriptions scattered across the landscape, and rock formations unlike anything else on the peninsula.
FAQs
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The Ultra Gobi AlUla A+ takes place January 13 to 15, 2027
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Yes. The A+ is open to all runners.
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Days are mostly between 18 to 21°C, nights can get chilly with temperatures between 3 to 7°C
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Visa on arrival is available for many nationalities. Check visitsaudi.com for your country.
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We've built a clear and flexible refund policy for Ultra Gobi AlUla. Participants who wish to request a refund must submit their application within the specified timeframes. Refunds will be processed strictly according to the timing of the request, as outlined below:
Phase 1: Full Refund Period
Deadline: Before 18:00, November 18, 2026
Refund Policy: 100% of the registration fee will be refunded.
Phase 2: Partial Refund Period
Period: From 18:00, November 18, 2026 to 18:00, December 10, 2026
Refund Policy: 30% of the registration fee will be deducted as event preparation costs. The remaining 70% will be refunded.
Phase 3: No Refund Period
Effective From: 18:00, December 10, 2026 onwards
Refund Policy: Participants will be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from the event, and no registration fee will be refunded.
All participants are responsible for obtaining their own travel documents, including passports and visas. If a participant is unable to enter the host country (Saudi Arabia) for any personal reason, including but not limited to failure to obtain a visa or non-compliance with passport or visa requirements, the Organizing Committee shall bear no legal responsibility. Refunds, if any, will be handled strictly in accordance with the policy above.
For any inquiries, please contact: ultragobiseries@gmail.com
