ARAL ULTRA 2026: Uzbekistan’s First-Ever 100 km Ultramarathon Held on the Aral Sea
Uzbekistan
The international ARAL ULTRA 2026 ultramarathon has concluded in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, marking the first 100 km race in Uzbekistan’s history. From October 1–3, the ARAL ULTRA programme took place in Karakalpakstan, while on October 3 participants competed in four trail-running distances across the Ustyurt Plateau, finishing on the shore of the Aral Sea.
A total of 757 people took part in the ARAL ULTRA programme, including participants from 13 foreign countries. International runners represented Russia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Andorra, Serbia, France, Türkiye and Belarus. Women accounted for 36% of participants, while men made up 64%.
The first two days were held in Nukus. The open programme included KIDS RUN, a 2K race, running tours, plogging and a lecture programme at the I.V. Savitsky Museum. A total of 333 people participated in the 2K race, while another 94 children took part in the KIDS RUN.
The main race took place on October 3. Participants could choose between the 100K, 50K, 25K and 15K distances. The 100K started at 04:00, the 50K at 11:00, the 25K at 15:00 and the 15K at 16:30. All four distances finished at the same point on the shore of the Aral Sea. The 100K finishers became the first ultramarathon runners to complete this distance at a race held in Uzbekistan. Strong winds and light rain made the race more challenging.
A total of 270 participants reached the finish line: 25 in the 100K, 24 in the 50K, 99 in the 25K and 122 in the 15K. The average age of participants in the 100K was 36.
Nurziyad Begaliyev won the men’s 100K with a time of 09:54:19, while Irina Masanova took first place in the women’s 100K with a time of 10:57:18. Alexey Kozlov and Elena Dubinina won the 50K, Daniil Sorokin and Valeria Korchashko took first place in the 25K, while Shokhrukh Khujamshukurov and Nigora Tajibayeva were the winners of the 15K.
ARAL ULTRA is part of the Samarkand Marathon Series, which follows World Athletics’ sustainable development principles. The series also directs funds toward the construction of children’s sports grounds. ARAL ULTRA is included in the calendar of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), and participants received ITRA points.
The first two days were held in Nukus. The open programme included KIDS RUN, a 2K race, running tours, plogging and a lecture programme at the I.V. Savitsky Museum. A total of 333 people participated in the 2K race, while another 94 children took part in the KIDS RUN.
The main race took place on October 3. Participants could choose between the 100K, 50K, 25K and 15K distances. The 100K started at 04:00, the 50K at 11:00, the 25K at 15:00 and the 15K at 16:30. All four distances finished at the same point on the shore of the Aral Sea. The 100K finishers became the first ultramarathon runners to complete this distance at a race held in Uzbekistan. Strong winds and light rain made the race more challenging.
A total of 270 participants reached the finish line: 25 in the 100K, 24 in the 50K, 99 in the 25K and 122 in the 15K. The average age of participants in the 100K was 36.
Nurziyad Begaliyev won the men’s 100K with a time of 09:54:19, while Irina Masanova took first place in the women’s 100K with a time of 10:57:18. Alexey Kozlov and Elena Dubinina won the 50K, Daniil Sorokin and Valeria Korchashko took first place in the 25K, while Shokhrukh Khujamshukurov and Nigora Tajibayeva were the winners of the 15K.
ARAL ULTRA is part of the Samarkand Marathon Series, which follows World Athletics’ sustainable development principles. The series also directs funds toward the construction of children’s sports grounds. ARAL ULTRA is included in the calendar of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), and participants received ITRA points.
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