The Ultra Gobi Series began in 2006 in the Gobi Desert, China.
The event in AlUla will take place from 13 to 20 January 2027.
The course is designed to connect endurance running with history.
The Ultra Gobi Series, known for extreme desert ultramarathons in the Gobi Desert, will leave China for the first time in 2027.
For over 20 years, the Ultra Gobi Series has been one of the toughest ultramarathon challenges in the world. The race began in 2006 in the Gobi Desert in China, where runners test their limits over long distances, extreme weather, and remote terrain. In 2027, the series will leave China for the first time, and the upcoming Ultra Gobi edition will be held in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, marking its international debut.
The event will take place from 13 to 20 January 2027 and will combine endurance racing with cultural and historical exploration along the ancient Incense Road.
The AlUla course is designed to connect endurance running with history. Participants will pass ancient tombs, desert plains, and former trade routes linking Africa, Asia, and Arabia. The combination of sport and heritage makes Ultra Gobi AlUla a journey through one of the region’s most culturally significant landscapes.
For its AlUla debut, Ultra Gobi is introducing six race categories: the Ultra Gobi 400km, a solo self-supported race with limited entries that covers extreme desert terrain in under six days, the Ultra Gobi A+ (121km), a non-stop solo race completed in a single continuous effort, the Ultra Gobi A (121km team race), where teams of three to five runners compete over four days with combined timing across stages, the Ultra Gobi B (121km), a supported solo version of the same distance spread over four days with overnight camps, the Ultra Gobi C (30km), a one-day desert run designed for wider participation and the Ultra Gobi Youth (90km), a family-focused multi-day challenge aimed at younger or less experienced runners.
Ultra Gobi’s move to AlUla marks a major milestone for the series. It expands the race beyond its original home in China while keeping its core challenge intact. For elite athletes and adventure seekers alike, Ultra Gobi AlUla 2027 offers a rare opportunity to run through a living landscape of history, culture, and endurance.
Where: AlUla, Saudi Arabia
When: 13 to 20 January 2027
Contact: www.ultragobiseries.com