Ultra Gobi, one of China’s most established outdoor endurance race series, will stage its first international edition in January 2027 with Ultra Gobi AlUla in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region.

It marks the first time in the series’ 20-year history that the race will be held outside China, following the 21st edition in the Gobi Desert in October 2026.

The AlUla course lies about 300 kilometres north of Medina and traces historic Incense Road trading routes linking China and the Arabian Peninsula.

 It reflects Ultra Gobi’s founding idea of using endurance sport to foster cross-cultural exchange and connection.

The AlUla event will feature six race formats ranging from a 400km self-supported ultra to a 30km one-day race and youth family category.

Organisers say the expansion follows long-term planning with AlUla to position the region as a global hub for outdoor sport and heritage tourism.

 Preparations and safety work are ongoing now.

“This step has been a long time in the making. From the Gobi Desert to AlUla, this is not a change of direction but the continuation of the same path: a path rooted in shared experience and the belief that meaningful connection matters most when the world feels far apart,” said Qu Xiangdong, Founder of the Ultra Gobi Series and President of the Xingzhi Exploring Group. -TradeArabia News Service