AlUla is set to welcome one of the world’s most demanding endurance races as Ultra Gobi makes its international debut in Saudi Arabia in January 2027. Registration for Ultra Gobi AlUla is now officially open.
For the first time in its 20-year history, the renowned Ultra Gobi Series is heading outside China. The inaugural Ultra Gobi AlUla will take place from January 13 to 20, 2027, bringing runners, trekkers and endurance enthusiasts from around the world to the dramatic landscapes of northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Known for its extreme desert endurance challenges, the Ultra Gobi Series has attracted more than 79,000 race entries since its launch in 2006. The AlUla edition will combine the demanding nature of the race with the region’s ancient landscapes, including sandstone valleys, oasis scenery and historic routes that once connected Arabia with Asia and beyond.
The event will offer several formats designed for different levels of endurance experience. The ultimate challenge is the 400-kilometre self-supported and self-navigated race, with a 139-hour cutoff. Participants must meet the qualifying requirements for this distance.
For those looking for a shorter but still demanding challenge, the 121-kilometre A+ race is a nonstop individual event. The same distance is also available through the four-day A team race, where teams of three to five runners compete across four stages. The B category offers an individual four-day stage race, while the C category provides a 30-kilometre, one-day desert experience that does not require previous race experience. A 90-kilometre Youth race, spread across three days, will also offer a family-oriented format.
Every race begins at Elephant Rock, one of AlUla’s most recognisable natural landmarks. Participants will experience the destination on foot while moving through landscapes shaped by thousands of years of history. AlUla’s ancient connection to the Incense and Spice Routes adds another dimension to the endurance challenge.
Registration is currently open through Ultra Signup, with entries closing on November 15, 2026. Entry fees range from $1,010 for the 30km C race to $3,500 for the 400km ultra. Travel, visas and accommodation are arranged individually by participants, while Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz Airport in AlUla is the nearest airport.
With its combination of extreme endurance, desert adventure and ancient heritage, Ultra Gobi AlUla is set to add a major new event to Saudi Arabia’s growing outdoor and sports calendar. For experienced ultrarunners, it presents a rare opportunity to test their limits in one of the Kingdom’s most spectacular landscapes.
