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🗓️ SEPTEMBER 27 TO OCTOBER 4, 2026 | 📍 GOBI DESERT, CHINA
The Ultra Gobi B covers the same 121 kilometers as the A format, but the emphasis is different. This is not about racing the clock. It is about completing the full distance over four days, at your own pace, and experiencing the Gobi Desert in a way that few people ever will. Registration is through a business school or organization.
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: Moderate. Suitable for trekkers and runners of all levels with reasonable preparation.
Terrain: Desert plains, gravel, sand, Silk Road heritage sites
The Course
The B format shares its course with the A team race. Four stages, each between 25 and 35km, through the Gobi Desert along routes mapped in collaboration with archaeologists and recognized as a "Linear Cultural Heritage."
The route passes through the historic site of Suoyang City, connects Silk Road heritage sites, and crosses the desert landscape against the Northern Qilian Mountains. The course is marked with flags throughout. Daily cutoffs of 6 to 8 hours allow for walking, trekking or running.
📎 GPX and KML files will be published before each edition.
On the Course
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Each night, a complete mobile campsite is built along the course. Tents, power, sanitation. Everything is moved the next day, leaving no trace.
Facilities include eco-friendly toilets, coffee service, massage and sports rehabilitation. Participants carry minimal gear. The focus is on the experience, not on equipment weight.
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Buffet breakfast and dinner at camp. Packed lunch to carry during the day. Fruits and snacks at larger checkpoints. Local specialties from the region.
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The racecourse is marked with flags. Checkpoints are staffed with volunteers and race officials. Medical support is available at checkpoints and at camp.
The B format is designed to be inclusive and safe. Daily cutoffs allow generous time for completion, and the camp infrastructure ensures comfort and recovery between stages.
Planning & Logistics
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Sep. 27 to 30: Airport/station pickup. Arrival in Dunhuang
Sep. 28 to 30: Check-in, registration, "Wonderful Life" Expo
Sep. 29: Opening ceremony
Oct. 1 to 4: Stage race (4 stages)
Oct. 4: Award ceremony
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The Ultra Gobi B experience includes the full event program: welcome reception, opening ceremony, the "Wonderful Life" Expo, and four days on the course with three nights in desert camps.
After the final stage, all participants gather for the award ceremony. The shared experience of crossing 121 kilometers of desert creates a bond that lasts.
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
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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 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
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The Ultra Gobi B is open to participants of all fitness levels. No qualifying race required. Reasonable preparation is recommended.
Registration is through a business school or organization. There is no minimum number of participants per institution. If your organization has only one participant, that person can still take part.
Individual registration without institutional affiliation is not available.
For international participants: Contact us at ultragobiseries@gmail.com.
2025 Race Highlights
Relive the action of the 2025 edition below or on our YouTube channel.
Destination
The race takes place near Dunhuang, in Gansu Province, Northwest China, about 2,000 kilometers west of Beijing. The region sits at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, where desert, oasis and centuries of history converge in one of the most compelling landscapes on earth.
Dunhuang is easily accessible by air, with direct flights from major Chinese cities. Travel time from Beijing is around three to four hours.
FAQs
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The 2026 Ultra Gobi B takes place Sep. 27 to Oct. 4, 2026.
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The B format is designed to be inclusive. Stages are 25 to 35km per day with 6 to 8 hour cutoffs, which comfortably allows for walking the entire distance. If you can walk 30km in a day at a steady pace, you can complete this event.
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The A format is a competitive team race. Teams are ranked by the finishing time of their 6th member. The B format emphasizes completion over competition. Both cover 121km over 4 days on parallel courses.
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Registration is through a business school or organization. Individual registration without institutional affiliation is not available. However, there is no minimum team size. If your organization has only one participant, that person can still take part.
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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.
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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.
