Mongolian Empire - Yam Trail
Saturday, 15 August - Ulaanbaatar (MGL) - ATM Candidate Race
Introduction
Yam Trail is a new trail running event taking place just outside Ulaanbaatar City in Mongolia. Start and finish is at the Genghis Khan Monument, one of the country’s main tourist attractions. The trail run is part of a bigger outdoor sports festival under the banner of the Mongolian Empire Adventure Series and also includes a Gravel Granfondo cycling competition on the day after.
The inaugural edition of Yam Trail takes place on Saturday, 15 August with the Gravel Granfondo cycling on Sunday, 16 August. On the schedule for runners are 2 race distance categories: the main 75km long ultra, and a 10 Miles Run & Hike catering mainly for domestic runners, but which is also open for international runners.
This is a highly scenic and peaceful grassland run in remote areas. Generally, the course is very runable, but nevertheless there is quite some elevation gain to be conquered (approx 2000 hm). Ulaanbaatar City rests at well over 1000m above sea level, so even in August temperatures are expected to be moderate and enjoyable for long distance running. Participants need to have finished at least one 50km trail race or 42km road marathon before attempting to run Yam Trail.
Asia Trail Master is actively involved in the management of Yam Trail. It has also obtained the label of ATM Candidate Race for future inclusion in the ATM Championship and Grandmaster Quest calendars.
Timetable
Friday, 14 August
12:00-18:00 - Race Pack Collection at Aurora Hotel in Ulaanbaatar .
Saturday, 15 August
04:15 am - Event shuttle bus departs from event hotel to race start venue 75km
05:45 am - Start Yam Trail Run 75km at sunrise
11:00 am - Start 10 Miles Fun Run & Hike
13:00 pm - Podium ceremony 10 Miles Run
14:00 pm - COT Finish 10 Miles Run
15:30 pm - COT Finish 10 Miles Hike
17:00 pm - Podium ceremony 75km
18:45 pm - COT Finish 75 km
Sunday, 16 August
Gravel Granfondo Cycling : 140km and 77 km
Course map & elevation profile
The final course map and elevation profile will be available very soon, as well as its GPX file for mandatory download (75km runners).
Aid Stations
Besides start & finish, six (6) aid stations are planned for the 75km race.
Each Aid Station (AS) will offer water, sports drink and first-aid kit. Every second AS will also offer snacks and fruits.
Reminder: this is a long ultra, do not only rely on what is provided at Aid Stations! Make sure you carry your own favourite products and check the mandatory gear list!
10 Miles: one (1) Aid Station is planned, roughly halfway the course, offering water, sports drink, fruit and snacks.
Race regulations
Mandatory gear
75 KM:
Hydration Vest or running belt including 2 bottles with at least 1 liter of water/energy drink (camelpak also allowed)
Snack / Energy Gels / Energy or cereal bar (at least 2 of these 3)
Mobile phone with a working SIM card
GPX file downloaded on sports watch or mobile phone (no excuse for ‘getting lost’)
Small waste bag
Medical First Aid Kit including plasters and disinfectant
Personal drinking cup (we will not provide cups at Aid stations in the principle of protecting the environment and to have NO garbage in the trail)
Rain jacket
Emergency blanket or cold weather top/jacket
Recommended gear:
Sun protection
Running hat or visor cap
Salt & magnesium tablets
10 Miles
No mandatory gear
Recommended gear: a running belt or vest to carry small bottle of water that can be refilled at the aid station (we will not provide cups at Aid stations in the principle of protecting the environment and to have NO garbage in the trail)
Event Hotel
The event hotel, where also the race pack collection will be held, is the Aurora Hotel . International runners are recommended to stay here, or at one of several hotels in the immediate vicinity of Aurora Hotel. The bus shuttle to the race start venue will also depart from here (no private hotel pick-ups!).
How to get there ?
Fly to Mongolia
Today, it is easier to travel to Mongolia then before. There is a visa-free policy for many countries (check for your own country) and flights to capital city Ulaanbaatar have increased in recent years, also thanks to the opening of the new international airport.
There’s direct flights from a number of countries like China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Germany and Canada.
A good source of flight information is Trip.com .
How to get to the race venue ?
Yam Trail and Gravel Granfondo cycling start outside the city at the Genghis Khan Monument (approx 45 minutes drive). An event shuttle bus is available from the event hotel on Saturday early morning for registered participants. Check the timetable for details.
It is highly recommended to follow the event shuttle bus, unless you have your own car transport in Ulaanbaatar.
Registration
You can quickly sign up for Yam Trail 2026 via the Google Form linked below (international participants).
Please note that after submitting the registration form, we will come back to you with a payment link to settle the race registration fee. For international participants, payment will be done in USD unless otherwise agreed.
Contact
English language: Asia Trail Master
Mongolian language: Mongolian Empire Adventure Series
