Mountain Ultra Marathon
A 200km self-sufficient ultra marathon through the Tian Shan Mountains
This is the Tian Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the largest and least explored mountain ranges in the world. The Mountains of Heaven.
The Tian Shan range is vast, stretching over 2,500km from Uzbekistan in the west to China in the east. It boasts summits of 7,500m and is home to the largest glaciers outside the Arctic poles.
This mountain trail run is technical, requires resilience at altitude, but the beauty of the deeply carved glacial valleys amongst the looming snow-capped peaks is truly breath-taking.
This is the Mountain Ultra. Follow us to adventure.
Race Details
- Location: Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
- Distance: 200km
- Stages: 5 stages in 5 days
- Terrain: Mountains Trails
- Total Ascent: 10,500m
- Maximum Altitude: 3,907m
- Temperature: 30°C / 5°C
- Daylight Hours: 13
- Base Camp: Karakol Valley
- Airport: Bishkek
- Race Event Duration: 9 days
- Additional Acclimatisation Trek: 5 days
- Accommodation: Yurts and Tents
Get your Race Information Pack
Find out everything you need to know about the Mountain Ultra by downloading our free race information pack. It includes the travel itinerary, kit list, race rules and a daily breakdown of each race.
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Watch the Mountain Ultra Film
See what it's like to take on the Mountain Ultra through the undiscovered Tian Shan Mountains
What's Next?
Interested to take part in the Beyond The Ultimate – Mountain Ultra? Schedule a call with one of our Race Directors, explore race footage and runner testimonials on our YouTube channel or checkout the competition on the race roster.
Watch our YouTube Channel
View the Race Roster
Race Director
Kristina Madsen
What a race. It’s been tough and stunning in equal measure. The climbs have been steep and technical, but I’ve loved it. One stage you feel like you’re in the Alps, the next stage is like Nepal. The Mountain Ultra is definitely the toughest race I’ve ever been in, but the most beautiful.
Global Race Series Finisher, Mountain Ultra Winner 2023
Race Director
Jon Shield
I had a blast in a place with unrivalled beauty and brutality rolled into one. 100% the Mountain Ultra is going to be a firm favourite in the Global Race Series. Probably the hardest and the best for me.
Mountain Ultra Winner 2023
Race Director
Kris King
The Mountain Ultra is a race designed specifically for the experienced multi-day runner. It is purposefully remote, intentionally tough and for those looking for the ultimate test in a beautiful yet brutal environment. It has taken 5 years of searching to find the perfect location for the final race in the Global Race Series. Kyrgyzstan is just perfect - it's mind-blowing.
Race FAQs
The Mountain Ultra gives you the opportunity to compete in one of the toughest endurance races in the world, in a beautiful undiscovered mountain region. Your entry fee covers the teams, logistics and park fees to bring this race to life:
- GPS tracking ensuring your safety.
- Manned check-points and camps with medical and support staff.
- Race accommodation, either tents or yurts.
- Provision of drinking water on the course and hot water for preparing food at all camps.
- Hotel before and after the race including breakfast.
- Transfer from Bishkek before and after race.
- Storage and carriage of luggage during the race.
- Digital watermarked copies of all photos captured by our professional adventure photographer.
- Race coverage for friends and family back home.
- Race T-Shirt and Finishers Medal.
- Donation to our woodland project to offset carbon from flights.
- Celebratory meal and finish line celebrations.
- National Park fees.
What’s not included in your entry fee are:
- Your flights to Bishkek
- Additional hotel stays
- Equipment and clothing (please see kit list in race pack)
- Food and drink during the race (other than water provided at checkpoints and camps).
Yes. Due to the high altitude, we strongly recommend an acclimatisation period close to the race start dates. This can be done in Kyrgyzstan or at a location above 2500m near your home nation. We will offer an acclimatisation trek prior to the race for those who wish to maximise their preparation.
Acclimatisation Trek Itinerary:
- 22nd July Arrive in Bishkek
- 23rd July Transfer from Bishkek to Karakol and welcome meal
- 24th July Guided trek from Karakol to Altyn Arashan
- 25th July Acclimatisation trek and skills training
- 26th July Return to Karakol
- 27th July Transfer to start-line
Additional Trek Fee: £650
This will include 3 nights accommodation in a hotel, 2 nights yurt accommodation on the trek, breakfast and evening meals, guides and safety teams.
If you are interested in joining the pre race trek to acclimatise, please notify us on your sign up form when you enter.
To help you stay safe we require a level of relevant experience to qualify you for entry. The Mountain Ultra is our toughest challenge yet and a high level of physical fitness will be required. Runners will have to negotiate tough ascents, difficult terrain and be able to run at altitude. Whilst the course is marked, you will also need to have knowledge of and be able to us GPX files to aid navigation.
Automatic Qualification
If you have completed the long course of one of the Global Race Series such as the Ice Ultra, Desert Ultra or the Jungle Ultra then this will automatically qualify you for the Mountain Ultra. Alternatively, if you have completed the full distance Montane Spine Race then you will qualify.
Vetting Process
If you don’t meet these criteria, your experience can be drawn from other events. Staged races, mountain marathons, mountaineering or climbing are looked on favourably. The more a challenge features mountainous terrain and altitude the better.
If you feel you have skills or experience not mentioned here, include it in your entry form. We are also very happy to advise those who feel they don’t yet have the experience level required on what races or experiences they could do to gain entry.
Each runner is responsible for carrying all items listed on the mandatory kit list (which can be found in the race pack) throughout the event. That means all your clothes, medical supplies, food and sleeping kit will be on your back. This doesn’t mean you’re on your own, though. There’ll be a constant supply of clean drinking water, and boiling water for the preparation of freeze-dried meals, at every camp, as well as drinking water at each checkpoint. Checkpoints are placed approximately every 10km, and there you will find a small shelter, a qualified medic and another supply of clean drinking water.
We would always recommend every competitor purchases appropriate insurance to cover the costs of your entry fee and your participation in any BTU event should you not be able to take part. Once a staged payment has been made it is non-refundable. Please read our terms and conditions before making your payment.
You can secure your place by paying £3,300 in full when you enter or spread the cost over four equal instalments. Payments can be made online via your debit or credit card.
£825 – deposit due on entry
£825 – 1st payment due 270 days before race start
£825 – 2nd payment due 180 days before race start
£825 – Final payment due 90 days before race start
Payment schedule
To secure your place in the race, you will need to make a deposit payment of £825 on entry. The remaining fee can be split over three further payments. Alternatively, you can pay in full when you enter.
You can use your debit or credit card to make your payment online. Stripe Payments handles the steps between you providing your card information and learning that the payment has been accepted. Some of the world’s largest companies, including Amazon and Shopify use Stripe.
Deposit
Pay a £825 deposit on entry to secure your place.
270 days before race
Payment of £825 is now due.
180 days before race
Payment of £825 is now due.
90 days before race
Final payment of £825 is now due.