Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra is a 12 hours ultra marathon in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Elevation: 200m D+. Difficulty: moderate (Challenge Rating 28/100). DNF rate: 10%. Time limit: 12h. Surface: trail. Established 2019.
Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra
Ulaanbaatar, Töv, Mongolia
"12 hours on the Mongolian steppe. Endless grasslands and the Khentii Mountains."
A 12-hour timed ultra on the Mongolian steppe — open grassland and endless sky.
The Course
A 12-hour timed ultra on the Mongolian steppe outside Ulaanbaatar. Runners complete 10km loops across open grassland with views of the Khentii Mountains.
rolling
multi-loop
2
Runner Experience
Loop-based format with continuous access to a central aid area between laps.
Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.
Race Day Weather
18°C
10° – 25°
45%
20%
Mongolian summer — warm, dry, endless blue sky.
Stats & Records
2019
80
14:00:00
8:45:00
Bat-Ochir Gan-Erdene (2023)
10:30:00
Oyuntuya Tserendagva (2023)
Entry
USD 80
February
months
Lore & Trivia
Mongolia's steppe ultra takes runners across the vast grasslands of the Mongolian Plateau — a landscape so empty that the nearest town might be 100km away and the closest tree even further. The race was conceived to share the profound experience of running across the steppe: a horizon-to-horizon expanse of grass under the biggest sky you've ever seen. Mongolian nomadic herders on horseback serve as course marshals. Ger (yurt) camps provide overnight accommodation. The cultural immersion — fermented mare's milk, throat singing around campfires, the absolute silence of the steppe at dawn — is as much the point as the running.
- ▸ The Mongolian steppe is one of the largest grassland ecosystems on Earth.
- ▸ Runners may see wild horses, marmots, and eagles during the race.
- ▸ Mongolia has the lowest population density of any country.
- ▸ Established in 2019.
- ▸ Total elevation gain: 200m.
The Mongolian steppe is the biggest emptiness a runner can experience — horizon to horizon grass, sky, and silence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra? +
Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra is a 12 hours ultra with 200m of elevation gain on trail terrain.
How hard is Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra? +
Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra is rated moderate with a Challenge Rating of 28/100 (Moderate). The DNF rate is 10%. Runners have 12 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra? +
Average temperature is 18°C (range 10°C to 25°C) with 45% humidity and a 20% chance of rain. Mongolian summer — warm, dry, endless blue sky.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are not allowed.
What is the course record for Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra? +
The men's course record is 8:45:00 set by Bat-Ochir Gan-Erdene in 2023. The women's course record is 10:30:00 set by Oyuntuya Tserendagva in 2023.
What is the average finish time for Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset Ultra? +
The average finish time is 14:00:00. About 80 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 10%.
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