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Ultra Gobi 400km | Champions Crowned

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Ultra Gobi 400km | Champions Crowned

Junyue(CHN)

The champions of the 2025 Ultra Gobi 400km have been crowned!

The men’s title was decided yesterday, while the women’s champion emerged today after four intense days in the Gobi Desert.

Women’s Champion —Bib：230 Zheng Junyue (CHN)

Defending champion Zheng Junyue secured her second women’s title today, finishing 5th overall in 92:24:55 and earning the title of “Guanjun Marshall.”

Starting 41st, she moved steadily up the rankings from 13th to 5th. On the morning of October 5 at R4, she shared her race struggles. “I was fighting alone in the desert, completely cut off from the outside world. The path to R2 felt like it stretched straight up to the clouds. After leaving R2, I was supposed to turn, but I just kept going straight. Luckily, this mistake didn’t last long. Then I started searching for footprints like a wilderness hunter—I found quite a few at first, but after looking for a while, the footprints disappeared again,” Junyue said.

She emphasized that her focus was on enjoying the race rather than breaking records. After finishing, she explained her motivation: “Actually, there are so many people who take on crazy challenges in this world, but I’ve noticed few women would try this. I think I can say I’ve made an attempt this year, because I’m afraid I will lose my courage if I don’t.”

Junyue first joined Ultra Gobi in 2024, when she set a women’s event record of 79:43:19 and won the title after a dramatic race involving a wolf encounter and a final 13 km battle. “I will participate in the Ultra Gobi 400km a third time, but I’m not sure if I will do so next year,” she added.

Men’s Champion —Bib：236 Cody Poskin (USA)

Cody Poskin claimed the men’s title on October 6 with a time of 64:49:32, breaking the event record and earning the title of “Guanjun Marshall.”

In his first Ultra Gobi 400km, Cody led from the start and built a significant gap. On the evening of October 5, however, he ran into multiple navigation problems and his leg was cut by thorn bushes. Although he was upset, losing his temper and swearing loudly, he forced himself to calm down and find solutions each time.

Before the race, Cody had estimated a 60-hour finish, but the final 100 km proved much tougher than expected. His speed dropped to 70–80% of earlier pace, averaging just 5–6 km/h. “Before the race, I studied the maps. However, when I arrived at the actual race venue, I still relied on my on-the-spot improvisation to take the shortcuts I had planned beforehand,” Cody said.

Reflecting at the finish, he described Ultra Gobi 400km as an adventure about living life to the fullest. “Running 400km means adventure and exploration. It means grabbing life by the horns and making an intentional decision to live life to the fullest. Gobi is passion and freedom. Coming to China to compete this time is truly the right choice I’ve made in my life!” he said.

Text Credits: James Huang / Grace Gao
Photo Credits: Ultra Gobi

 

Junyue Repeats Last Year’s Victory at Ultra Gobi

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Junyue Repeats Last Year’s Victory at Ultra Gobi

On day four of the GOBI ULTRA 400, after the men’s podium was determined the previous day, the lady winner was also decided. Zheng Junyue, already last year’s fastest, triumphed in the competition, which is still in full swing even after the first eight out of 55 runners have arrived. The athletes have until 18:30 local time on Thursday to complete the 400 kilometres.

With a time of 92 hours, 24 minutes and 55 seconds, Junyue fell well short of her performance last year, but still secured victory in the women’s competition and fifth place overall.

In the mixed zone at Gobi Spring, the Chinese athlete said: ‘I value my success this year more than last year’s victory. Twelve months ago, the motto was ‘fast, fast, fast’. But this year, first place wasn’t even the main focus. I wanted to enjoy ULTRA GOBI. I took photos, chatted with volunteers and friends along the route and was really happy in this unique landscape. This is the real Gobi!’

‘Just under 40 kilometres before the finish line, I knew I was going to win. Sometimes I was in the flow; sometimes the saying applied: ‘If you face something strong, you get stronger.’”

About two hours later, John William Carey and Lucy Schodell reached the finish line together.

Carey said: ‘I’ve never felt better than I do right now. Lucy and I are like brother and sister; we run together a lot. When we signed up for the ULTRA GOBI 400, we knew we’d be competing and enjoying the race together from start to finish.’

Schodell finished seventh overall and second in the women’s classification, completing the race in 94 hours, 27 minutes and 58 seconds.

“I didn’t actually expect a podium finish. We worked hard throughout the race and enjoyed it at the same time.”

‘There were some difficult moments, too. The second night was very cold; we got lost in the mountains, climbed unnecessary elevation and saw a large lake that wasn’t marked on any map.’

Carey and Schodell emphasised the outstanding organisation and work of the volunteers. ‘They were so friendly and helpful at all the checkpoints and aid stations.’

He Zheng was the best Chinese male athlete to reach the finish line at Gobi Spring in eighth place. He is from Gansu and said, “My father died a few months ago, so I dedicate this race and this finish to him. My whole family has always been very supportive of my running.”

Text Credits: Egon Theiner