The Gobi March (Mongolia) is one of the four races that comprise the world renowned 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series of 250-kilometer, six-stage, seven-day, self-supported footraces. The Gobi March moved to Mongolia!
Jointly organized with Racing ThePlanet, Discover Mongolia Travel has been responsible for the Gobi March in Mongolia since 2018 and really looking forward to the coming event on 21st June, 2020.
The series, named again by TIME magazine in 2010 as one of the world's Top 10 Endurance Competitions.
At the Gobi March (Mongolia), participants have the opportunity to experience the kindness of the local people and cultural diversity. The highlights of this year include the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape will be the setting for the Long March which is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and finish line is in Kharkhorin, the 13th and 14th century capital of Chinggis Khaan’s Empire.
Competitors struggle to walk straight in the mornings – nursing or rubbing painfully sore knees, and blistered feet.
Crossing the River
But Why Do They Participate?
The Gobi March's challenges include the changes in temperature from the hot highlands to the oppressive cold in sand dunes, the open sun, potential sandstorms and variety of terrain – soft sand-dunes, rocky tracks, steep hills, ridges and riverbeds.
But there’s a reason people put themselves through this kind of pain. It’s about battling yourself and pushing to do the best you can. It’s about going from ordinary to extraordinary.
For us, cooperating with Racing ThePlanet and organizing such event in Mongolia has been an honor and through our involvement, we have been aiming to make a great contribution for the tourism industry and promoting Mongolia on the world stage.
The Gobi March - More Than A Race
There’s been a research shows that about 50% of competitors choose to support causes when racing at the 4 Deserts. It is very heart-warming that many competitors raise money and awareness for charities around the globe through their participation in the Gobi March Mongolia.
The competitors consist of medical doctors, professors, investment bankers, small business owners, actors, entrepreneurs, journalists, top athletes and coaches, military professionals, managers and stay-at-home moms and dads. The typical competitor is a high achiever - someone who believes in maximizing every opportunity in life.
At the Finishing line, The Gobi March Mongolia 2018
“It’s like one big family. You get so much support – from other competitors, from the crew, the medics, the volunteers – I’ve never experienced that before and it just gives you spirit. That’s really what got us through. You go through pain but you get to the end, and that lasts: it makes it all worthwhile. I feel like we’ve really accomplished something.” - Peter Mackenzie, Scotland
“I was emotional crossing the finish line and thinking about this adventure drawing to a close. I’m so happy and grateful to be here feeling strong and healthy and pushing limits to see what I can achieve – it’s so much more than I ever realised I could do. So proud of everyone for finishing strong today – some with injuries and pain, but was amazing to see everyone’s determination and share in their achievements.” - Alice Gomersall, Australia
“I have dedicated so much of my time and focus towards that finish line and it was more than worth it ... it truly is such an inexplicable feeling to accomplish the Gobi March and be surrounded by the support of incredible people who also constantly challenge themselves, new friends and with beer & pizza at the end.” - Lisa Bourgogne, New Zealand
The Climate Expectations
The climate in Mongolia in June is typically dry and sunny, although it’s well known for the weather to change dramatically – experiencing four seasons in one day is not unusual. Temperatures are likely to range between 5 - 30°C / 41 - 90°F during the day. They could get as low as 0°C / 32°F at night.During the race temperatures range between 15 - 30°C / 59 - 86°F during the day. They may drop as low as 0°C / 32°F at night.
Elsen Tasarkhai, Uvurkhangai Province
Where Does The Event Take Place And What You Can See
Much of the population of Mongolia still holds onto its old traditions and cultures. Gobi March Mongolia competitors will witness and experience this untouched culture in its natural form – in particular through the nomadic farms along the course. Along the course, competitors will pass through the UNESCO Heritage Site of the stunning Orkhon Valley. It will be a mixture of open grasslands, sand dunes, Rocky Mountains, nomadic farmlands, great rock valleys, old forests, wide rivers and old heritage sites. The course of the Gobi March Mongolia follows the footsteps of the Great Chinggis Khaan with the race ending in Kharkhorin. At times, competitors will sleep in traditional Mongolian gers.
About The Participants
More than 50% of Gobi March (Mongolia) 2020 competitors are expected to have completed a previous RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts ultramarathon, with 50% joining for the first time. Up to 150 competitors representing more than 40 countries will compete in the Gobi March Mongolia.
Before And After The Race
Many participants come along with their friends and families planning to enjoy summer in Mongolia after the event. As Discover Mongolia Travel is specialized in organizing tours, arranging accommodation, transportation and more, we will be more than happy to assist the competitors with such requests.
Mongolia’s biggest celebration is the Naadam Festival which takes place in July each year, shortly after the end of the race. Traditional Naadam Festivals feature Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery – known as the “three games of men”. Often, before and after the race, competitors will take the opportunity to ‘Discover Mongolia’. There are so many wonderful reasons why people are attracted to the ancient lands.
There are many wild animals, including black-tailed gazelles, marbled polecats, Bactrian camels, Mongolian wild ass and various birds to see. And if you didn’t get the opportunity during the race, watching the sunrise and sunset on the top of the sand dunes will blow you away.
Camels with Two Humps
What better way to explore it than to push yourself to your limit.
The Gobi March isn't just about running 250km across the amazing desert in Mongolia - it's about traveling to a new place, meeting new people, pushing your body to its limits and achieving more than you knew possible.
It is an extraordinary way to see new and relatively undiscovered parts of the world, each race bringing with it its own unique sense of adventure, allowing you to go back to basics with little to no communication and really appreciate the planet for what it is. The races also bring together people from all across the world, like-minded people, some of whom will become life-long friends! See you in Mongolia!
