Ten influencers from the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, including four female ultramarathon runners, became the first to complete the route of the future ARAL ULTRA race across the Ustyurt Plateau.
On May 23–24, a running expedition took place in the Republic of Karakalpakstan along the route of the future ARAL ULTRA ultramarathon, a new event in the international charity Samarkand Marathon Series. Ten influencers and athletes from the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia covered a total of 100 kilometers across the Ustyurt Plateau, becoming the first to explore the course of the upcoming race and share their experience of the region with their audiences.
Women played a prominent role in the expedition: four of the ten participants were female endurance athletes from Uzbekistan and across Central Asia. Among them were the first woman from Central Asia to complete the Marathon des Sables, the first woman from Uzbekistan to finish the 10-kilometer Oceanman race, as well as athletes with experience competing in some of the world’s leading ultramarathons.
The expedition brought together the following participants:
– Shirin Abduvakhitova (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) – trail runner, finisher of the Cappadocia Ultra-Trail (119 km), and influencer;
– Alina Tyo (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) – triathlete, the first woman from Uzbekistan to complete the Oceanman open-water swimming race (10 km), and influencer;
– Anna Permyakova (Moscow, Russia) – trail runner and ultramarathon athlete;
– Saniya Jailaubekova (Almaty, Kazakhstan) – ultramarathon runner and the first woman from Central Asia to complete the Marathon des Sables (270 km);
The expedition followed the exact route that will host the main ARAL ULTRA race on October 3–4, 2026. The run began at sunrise on the Ustyurt Plateau and concluded at sunset along the current shoreline of the Western Aral Sea. The entire journey took approximately 14 hours to complete.
The expedition brought together members of the international running community, including ultramarathon runners, triathletes, race organizers, and content creators. Each participant completed a dedicated 10-kilometer section of the route.
Following the expedition, a series of ten video diaries will be released, documenting the journey along the route, the unique landscapes of the Ustyurt Plateau, and the participants’ exploration of the Aral Sea region.
According to the organizers, the project was inspired by the idea of a pioneering expedition, where the goal extends beyond athletic achievement. It is also about experiencing a unique natural landscape, discovering the region’s culture, and drawing international attention to the Aral Sea region.
“Through ARAL ULTRA, we want to present a new image of the region to the world — a place of strength, defined by its unique natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and distinctive atmosphere that cannot be experienced anywhere else. We believe that sport has the power to reveal destinations in a new way: through personal experiences, emotions, and the stories of people who travel here from around the globe. ARAL ULTRA is becoming a platform where running serves as a catalyst for tourism development, cultural dialogue, and greater international awareness of the region,” said Mirkhan Sagitov, Head of Marathon Operations and Curator of the Series.
ARAL ULTRA is set to become the newest event in the international charity Samarkand Marathon Series. The main race will take place on October 3–4, 2026, across the Ustyurt Plateau. Participants will be able to choose from 100 km, 50 km, 25 km, and 15 km trail running distances.
A unique feature of the race will be its finish line, which will shift each year along with the changing shoreline of the Aral Sea. This moving finish line serves as a reminder of the fragility of the region’s ecosystem and the ongoing transformation of its landscape.
The Samarkand Marathon Series brings together the country’s leading running events, including the Samarkand Marathon, Bukhara Night Race, Sky Camp Bo‘stonliq, ZAAMIN ULTRA, and the newly launched ARAL ULTRA. All funds raised through the series are directed toward the construction of children’s sports playgrounds in the regions where the races take place.
Photos and information provided by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF).
ARAL ULTRA General Partners:
- Xalq Banki
- Xazna
- Apex Insurance
- Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan
- Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan
- Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Registration Information
Information about the opening of registration will be announced on the official Samarkand Marathon Series website:
