Desert Endurance and Human Spirit Across 400km
China’s Wang Shouhui closes the 2025 edition of the Ultra Gobi 400 as Cody Poskin (USA) and Zheng Junyue (China) take victory in one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons.
At 14:19:01 local time on Thursday, Chinese runner Wang Shouhui crossed the finish line, officially marking the end of the Ultra Gobi 400 2025. His race began the previous Friday, 136 hours, 46 minutes, and 31 seconds earlier, and brought to a close one of the most demanding journeys in global endurance running.
Wang Shouhui on his way to finishing
“This course was truly challenging,” said Wang. “Even though I gave it my all, I still feel I need to push myself harder. There’s a quiet sense of loss, not because of the result, but because I have to leave this beautiful place.”
This year’s event saw 55 runners set out to conquer 400 kilometres and 3,000 metres of elevation gain along the ancient Silk Road in China’s Gobi Desert. 50 athletes completed the self-supported challenge, a testament to the race’s unforgiving conditions and world-class organisation.
Victory went to Cody Poskin (USA) and Zheng Junyue (China), with both runners praising the event’s balance of competition and camaraderie.
“It was an incredible race from start to finish,” said Poskin. “The landscape, the volunteers, the organisation; everything was perfect.”
Men’s Champions
Women’s Champions
For Zheng, the experience was more reflective: “Last year, when I also won, I was completely focused on success and had no time for anything else. This year, I enjoyed the race much more. I took time to talk to other runners, admire the landscape, and feel how man and nature merge into one in the Gobi.”
Beyond the front of the pack, almost every participant highlighted the extraordinary efforts of the staff and volunteers, whose support, from rest facilities to massages, ensured runners could focus on the monumental challenge ahead.
Now in its 20th anniversary year, Ultra Gobi continues to grow both as a world-class endurance race and as a cultural ambassador for the desert. The event has expanded far beyond its flagship 400km race, with the organisation now hosting multiple distances and even family-friendly trekking experiences.
The final day
“We are proud that Ultra Gobi has once again been so well received,” said Qu Xiangdong, CEO of the Organising Committee. “The 400km race is just the tip of the iceberg. We now host several events each year, from professional ultramarathons to Gobi trekking experiences for all ages. Ultra Gobi isn’t just about sport, it’s about celebrating the beauty of nature and protecting the cultural heritage of this remarkable region.”
The 2025 edition closed with a celebratory ceremony honouring the runners, volunteers, and organisers who make the event possible. Dates for Ultra Gobi 2026 will be announced soon.
📄 Full results: Official Results List
Original translation by Egon Theiner
