Aral Ultra 2026: Distances, Entry Fees, and Getting to the Start
Trail race on the dried Aral seabed, October 3-4, 2026: entry fees by distance, start times, the shared 19:00 cut-off, and transfers from Nukus.
Aral Ultra runs on October 3-4, 2026 in Kungrad District, Karakalpakstan — a trail race across the dried bed of the Aral Sea, from the Ustyurt Plateau out to the water’s present western edge. Entry is open at 15, 25, 50 or 100 km with no qualifying time. The finish line is not fixed: it moves as the shoreline does.
Quick facts
- October 3 is the race day; October 4 is a 2 km run, kids’ races and the awards, all in Nukus
- Nukus is the operational base: expo, race kit and every transfer start there
- Expo and kit collection run October 1 and 2, 12:00-20:00
- Starter pack: shirt, bib and a backpack
Distances, starts and current prices (checked September 11, 2026)
| Distance | Start, October 3 | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|
| 100 km | 04:00 | 1,000,000 UZS |
| 50 km | 11:00 | 800,000 UZS |
| 25 km | 15:00 | 450,000 UZS |
| 15 km | 16:30 | 400,000 UZS |
The finish closes at 19:00 for every distance, so the time limits are not equal: 15 hours on the 100 km, 8 on the 50, 4 on the 25 and 2.5 on the 15. The short distances are the tight ones.
October 4 adds a 2 km run and kids’ races from 60 m to 1 km, listed at 50,000 UZS each.
Getting to the start
You do not organise this part. Buses run from Nukus to each start line and back:
- 100 km leaves Nukus at 23:00 on October 2 and reaches the start at 03:00
- 50 km leaves at 05:00, 25 km at 08:00, 15 km at 09:00
- Return transfers to Nukus at 19:30 on race day and at 08:00 on October 4
What you do organise is reaching Nukus — flights and a train from Tashkent — plus a driver only if you add Muynak and the ship cemetery afterwards.
Where to stay
Book Nukus from October 1, not from race morning: kit collection is on the 1st and 2nd, the race is on the 3rd, and the awards end at 16:00 on the 4th. That is three nights minimum, in a city with few hotels.
FAQ
Do I need ultra experience to enter?
No. Registration is open and there is no qualifying time. The common 19:00 cut-off matters more than the label: on the 15 km you have 2.5 hours, which is a real constraint on soft, trackless ground.
How do I get from Nukus to the start line?
The organisers run buses to every start and back to Nukus afterwards, including an overnight departure for the 100 km. You do not need your own car for race day.
How many nights should I book in Nukus?
Three at least — October 1 to 4 — because kit collection opens two days before the race and the awards run to late afternoon on the closing day.