Ultra Gobi is a 400km ultra marathon in Hami, China. Distance: 400km. Elevation: 3,000m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 53/100). DNF rate: 40%. Time limit: 150h. Surface: sand. Established 2017.
Ultra Gobi
Hami, Xinjiang, China
"400km across the Gobi Desert. Self-supported, self-navigated, on the ancient Silk Road."
One of the world's most remote self-supported ultras — 400km through the Gobi Desert along the ancient Silk Road.
The Course
A 400km self-supported journey through the Gobi Desert. Runners traverse sand dunes, dry riverbeds, rocky plains, and ancient Silk Road trade routes. Navigation skills are essential. The course crosses some of the most remote terrain on Earth.
rolling
point-to-point
8
Runner Experience
Self-supported race — runners carry all supplies. Checkpoints for timing and safety only.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. Ultra Gobi is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
8°C
-5° – 20°
20%
5%
Extreme desert climate — scorching days, freezing nights. Massive temperature swings of 25°C+ between day and night. Dry air and relentless wind.
Stats & Records
2017
30
5:00:00:00
Entry
¥18,000
January
—
Lore & Trivia
Ultra Gobi sends runners 400km across the Gobi Desert of northwestern China in a self-supported format that is closer to an expedition than a race. The course crosses sand dunes, gravel plains, dried lake beds, and the ruins of Silk Road fortifications. At night, the sky is packed with stars — the Gobi has some of the lowest light pollution on earth. The distance and the self-supported format mean runners must manage their own food, navigation, and sleep for up to 150 hours. Mental endurance at this scale is a fundamentally different challenge from a 100-miler — the monotony, isolation, and scale of the Gobi landscape break runners who are physically capable but mentally unprepared.
- ▸ 400km self-supported across the Gobi Desert.
- ▸ One of the longest self-supported desert races in the world.
- ▸ Silk Road ruins dot the course.
- ▸ Near-zero light pollution — the night sky is extraordinary.
- ▸ Time limit of ~150 hours.
- ▸ Sleep management over 5+ days is the key challenge.
- ▸ Sand dunes, gravel plains, and dried lake beds.
400 kilometres of Gobi Desert. After day three, the landscape stops being scenery and becomes your mental state.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Ultra Gobi? +
Ultra Gobi is a 400km (400km) ultra marathon with 3,000m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on sand terrain.
How hard is Ultra Gobi? +
Ultra Gobi is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 53/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 40%. Runners have 150 hours to finish.
How do I enter Ultra Gobi? +
Must demonstrate significant ultra running and self-supported racing experience.. Entry costs ¥18,000. with a maximum of 50 starters.
What is the weather like at Ultra Gobi? +
Average temperature is 8°C (range -5°C to 20°C) with 20% humidity and a 5% chance of rain. Extreme desert climate — scorching days, freezing nights. Massive temperature swings of 25°C+ between day and night. Dry air and relentless wind.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Ultra Gobi? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required. Self-navigation is required.
What is the average finish time for Ultra Gobi? +
The average finish time is 5:00:00:00. About 30 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 40%.
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