Ultra Gobi takes its desert ultras beyond China

As thousands of runners take on UTMB around Mont Blanc this weekend, Chinese trail running series Ultra Gobi is using trail running’s biggest week to reveal its own plans for international expansion.

The series has made its first appearance with a dedicated booth at the UTMB Expo in Chamonix, presenting its established races in China’s Gobi Desert alongside two new destinations: Ultra Gobi AlUla, scheduled for January 2027, and Ultra Gobi Kilimanjaro, planned for 2028.

Ultra Gobi AlUla will take runners into the desert landscapes surrounding AlUla in north-western Saudi Arabia from 13–20 January 2027. The event includes several distances and formats, headlined by a 400km solo, non-stop race through sandstone canyons, desert plains, rocky valleys and oases.

The expansion marks a significant move beyond the series’ home territory in China’s Gobi Desert. American runner Aaron Kubala, who finished third in the 400km Ultra Gobi in 2025, was among former competitors who visited the Chamonix booth.

Ultra Gobi Director of Global Business Development Eliza Wang said the team had received a warm response during its first appearance at UTMB week.

“We had so many positive conversations — with former and hopefully future participants in our events, with other race organisers, with partners, and with those who might become partners,” Wang said.

“Our overall takeaway is entirely positive, and we’re already looking forward to being back in 2027.”

The Saudi Arabian event will be the first Ultra Gobi held outside China, while the proposed Kilimanjaro event would take the series into Tanzania in 2028.

More information is available via Ultra Gobi Series.