Photo: Mongolia Trail Run (opens in a new tab) / Source (opens in a new tab)Karakórum
Mongolia Trail Run
Monday, 2 August 2027
Race data
Terrain
Ultra Trail
Difficulty
Elite
Distance
2 modalities
Khan (MTR) 170K
- Distance
- 170 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 3800m
- Max Time
- -
Nomad (Half MTR) 90K
- Distance
- 90 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1900m
- Max Time
- -
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khan (MTR) 170K | 170 km | D+ 3800m | - | - |
| Nomad (Half MTR) 90K | 90 km | D+ 1900m | - | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~34 h of Mongolia Trail Run?Worked out for the longest course (170 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchYour checklist for Mongolia Trail Run
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 7 ready
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Polar Grit X2 Pro
AMOLED display with sapphire glass
Downside: Modest smartwatch battery (10 days)
Gear
Test all your gear in training: six days in a row punish any chafing
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Hoka Speedgoat 7
Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances
Downside: High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel
Nutrition
Bring gels and bars from home: restocking on site is hard
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Maurten Gel 100
Tecnología de hidrogel: excelente tolerancia gástrica
Downside: Precio elevado respecto a otros geles
Sun Protection
Sweat-resistant SPF50, reapply every 2-3 hours
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Treat your feet every night, before they become blisters
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Easy-to-apply stick format, even with sweaty hands
Downside: Higher price than traditional petroleum jelly
Accommodation
August nights on the steppe are cool: pack a light comfort sleeping bag
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Alpin Loacker Saco de Dormir Ultraligero
Only 460 g: one of the lightest on the market
Downside: Summer only (not suitable below 10 °C)
Car Rental
Do not rent a car in Mongolia: tracks are unsuitable and transfers are included
Done, you already have it
View on Hertz →(opens in a new tab)
Hertz - Alquiler de coches
Trip logistics
Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.
Affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mongolia Trail Run requires mandatory gear: get it sorted early
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
15°C – 25°C
Average 20°C
Rain
37%
4.1 mm avg
Wind
18 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
11h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Bring a waterproof jacket (37% chance of rain)
Asics
Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX
A best-selling beginner trail shoe: GEL cushioning, good stability and a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane. Versatile and reliable for training on mixed terrain in any weather.
Berghaus
Berghaus Paclite 2.0 GTX
Waterproof jacket with a Gore-Tex Paclite membrane (around 330 g). Fully waterproof with taped seams, fixed adjustable hood, storm flap behind the zip and cuff adjustment. Packs down small in a vest. Heavier than a pure running hardshell, but it meets the waterproof-breathable membrane requirement in race rules and is the affordable route into Gore-Tex.
Brooks
Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX
The Cascadia 20 with a GORE-TEX membrane: stability and protection for rocky mountain terrain, keeping the foot dry on cold, rainy days.
Gore Wear
Gore Wear C5 GORE-TEX Glove
Glove with a fully waterproof, windproof GORE-TEX membrane and light insulation. The pick for running in snow, sleet or heavy rain while keeping your hand dry.
Gore Wear
Gore Wear M GORE-TEX Thermo Glove
Warmer variant of the Gore Wear C5 GORE-TEX: the same fully waterproof, windproof membrane, with extra thermal lining for intense cold on top of snow or rain. The pick when the problem isn't just water, but water AND hard cold at once.
Gore Wear
Gore Wear R7 GTX Shakedry
Chubasquero Gore-Tex Shakedry ultraligero (110 g). Impermeabilidad total sin membrana interior, altamente transpirable. El referente para corredores de montaña.
Nike
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX
The best-selling gateway trail shoe: comfortable, cushioned and versatile for moving from road to trail. Waterproof GORE-TEX version, perfect for beginners and easy runs on mixed terrain.
Salomon
Salomon Bonatti Pro Waterproof Glove
Lightweight waterproof glove built for running, not just standing still in the snow: a waterproof membrane with more dexterity and less bulk than a thick membrane glove, for sustained rain without giving up handling gels or poles.
Salomon
Salomon Bonatti WP
Chaqueta cortavientos impermeable ultraligera (135 g). Costuras selladas, capucha ajustable y ventilación trasera. Se pliega en su propio bolsillo.
Salomon
Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX
The Speedcross 6 with a GORE-TEX membrane: the same aggressive 5 mm lugs for mud and soft ground, now waterproof for winter, rain and snow.
Sealskinz
Sealskinz Waterproof Lightweight Glove
Lightweight waterproof glove from a brand that specializes in outdoor sport waterproofing. A solid middle ground between a thin windproof glove and a thick membrane glove: genuinely waterproof without the bulk or price of the Gore C5.
TRIWONDER
TRIWONDER Polainas Impermeables Trail
Waterproof, breathable low gaiters for trail running, hiking and mountain use. Under-shoe strap and adjustable elastic band. A budget-friendly alternative to premium technical brand gaiters.
Sun protection essential (11h sunshine, up to 25°C)
Forecast for 2 August
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Mongolia Trail Run: six stages across the steppe
Mongolia Trail Run is a multi-stage adventure organised by Naturetime Events that crosses the historic heart of Mongolia, from the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes to Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol empire. Each year it brings together about 50 runners from several countries.
A six-stage route
The route links the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes, Ugii Lake and the Orkhon Valley, Tsetserleg and the Tsenkher hot springs, the Tsagaan Sumiin Rashaan valley, a winter nomad camp and Kharkhorin, finishing next to Erdene Zuu monastery in Karakorum. There are two categories: Khan (MTR), 170 km with 3,800 m of positive elevation, and Nomad (Half MTR), 90 km with 1,900 m gain.
What makes this race unique
There are no waymarked trails in the usual sense: you run on herders’ tracks, river crossings and open steppe, sleeping in yurts surrounded by herds. The organisation handles logistics; you just need to prepare your gear, insurance and visa.
Mongolia beyond the race
Take the chance to visit Ulaanbaatar, Karakorum and Erdene Zuu monastery. For more races by the same organisers, see the races in Catalonia and plan your season with the planner.
Mandatory Gear
According to the official race regulations
With water, food and warm clothing according to the official rules.
With spare batteries.
Afternoon storms occur in summer.
Safety gear; check the full list in the rules.
360Complete Pack
Mongolia Trail Run 2027 registration
RegistrationA stage race with very limited places (about 50 runners). Register on the official website and ask what the fee includes: logistics, camps and meals.
Tips
- •Choose Khan (170K) or Nomad (90K) according to your stage-racing experience
- •Join the website newsletter to get the opening notice
- •Ask what the fee covers and what is on you (flights, visa)
Where to sleep at Mongolia Trail Run
AccommodationDuring the race you sleep in yurt camps. Book only the hotel before and after in Ulaanbaatar and bring what you need to rest well.
Tips
- •August nights on the steppe are cool: pack a light comfort sleeping bag
- •Earplugs and an eye mask for shared yurts
- •Arrive a day early in Ulaanbaatar to absorb jet lag
Gear for Mongolia Trail Run
GearSteppe, sand, river crossings and mid-altitude sun for 6 stages. Well-draining shoes, a light vest, optional poles, a headlamp and a warm layer.
Tips
- •Test all your gear in training: six days in a row punish any chafing
- •Gaiters or high socks to keep sand out
- •Light waterproof jacket: afternoon storms happen
- •Headlamp with spare batteries for long stages
Which shoes for Mongolia Trail Run?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Mongolia Trail Run?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Trail Running Poles 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
Best trail running poles 2026: Black Diamond, Leki and Komperdell compared. Carbon vs aluminium, folding length, technique and how to pick your size.
Best Trail Running Hydration Vests 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
Best trail running hydration vests 2026: 12 vests and packs compared. How many litres you need by distance, soft flasks vs reservoir, and fit.
Strength Training Gear for Trail Running at Home 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
Comparison of the best strength training gear for trail runners at home: dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebell, TRX, weight bench and foam roller, with a 3-day-a-week routine.
Nutrition for Mongolia Trail Run
NutritionSix stages back to back: daily recovery and your own backup food matter most, because there are no shops on the steppe.
Tips
- •Bring gels and bars from home: restocking on site is hard
- •Recovery shake after every stage
- •Salt every hour in the heat
Best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running 2026
A comparison of the 7 best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running and trail 2026: 226ERS Sub9 Salts, Crown Pro Salt Caps, Victory Endurance, Precision Hydration PH 1500 and more. How many salt tablets to take per hour, how to calculate your sweat rate and which format to choose.
Getting to Mongolia for the race
TransportAccess is via Ulaanbaatar international airport (ULN), with connections from Europe. The organisation coordinates transfers to the start.
Tips
- •Book flights with margin: connections to Ulaanbaatar are limited
- •Ask the organisers about the transfer to Elsen Tasarkhai and from Karakorum
- •Check the visa before buying tickets
Rental car before you travel
Car RentalIn Mongolia the organisation handles transfers; a rental car helps in your home country to reach the airport with stage-race luggage.
Tips
- •Do not rent a car in Mongolia: tracks are unsuitable and transfers are included
- •Rent at home if the airport is far away
Insurance for Mongolia Trail Run
InsuranceA remote race, far from hospitals and with complex evacuation. Travel insurance with sports cover and repatriation is a de facto requirement.
Tips
- •Adventure sports and remote-area evacuation cover
- •Check that it covers medical repatriation
- •Keep your policies on your phone and on paper
Body care for Mongolia Trail Run
Body CareSix days in a row punish feet, armpits and skin. Anti-chafe, blister patches and a good recovery kit make the difference.
Tips
- •Treat your feet every night, before they become blisters
- •Anti-chafe on feet, groin and armpits from day one
- •Compression socks to sleep and recover
Sun protection for Mongolia Trail Run
Sun ProtectionOpen steppe with no shade, at 1,200-2,000 m and with August sun: UV exposure is high for hours every stage.
Tips
- •Sweat-resistant SPF50, reapply every 2-3 hours
- •SPF lip balm: wind and sun dry out lips
- •Cap or buff and category 3 sunglasses
Best Sunscreen for Runners 2026: 7 Sweat-Proof SPF 50 Picks
Which sunscreen survives a sweaty long run? We compared 7 SPF 50 sweat-proof picks — creams, sticks and a lip balm — on heat, altitude UV and sweat resistance. See the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Mongolia Trail Run 2027?
- The organisers announce provisional dates in the first half of August 2027. The 2026 edition ran from 2 to 10 August; confirm the final calendar on the official website.
- What distances are there?
- Two stage categories: Khan (MTR), 170 km with 3,800 m of positive elevation, and Nomad (Half MTR), 90 km with 1,900 m gain. There are 6 stages.
- Where does it start and finish?
- It starts at the Elsen Tasarkhai dunes and finishes in Karakorum next to Erdene Zuu monastery, passing Ugii Lake, the Orkhon Valley, Tsetserleg and Tsenkher.
- Where do runners sleep?
- In yurt camps set up by the organisation along the route, with the race's own logistics.
- Do I need insurance and a visa?
- Yes: travel insurance covering sport and evacuation is essential, and you must check visa requirements for your nationality before travelling.
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