Among ultra-trails, it remains one of the longest and most grueling in the world—a side of China different from the one portrayed by tour operators and travel brochures, a country that seems to vanish into the rugged Gobi Desert.
The route covers 400 km to be covered nonstop, with participants required to be self-sufficient in food and navigate on their own.

Gansu Province, the logistics and general preparation hub for the Gobi Ultra Trail (UTG), is located in the western section of the Hexi Corridor, a strip of flat, easily traversable land nestled between the Gobi Desert and the Qilian Mountains, on the border between China and Mongolia.

Our brand ambassador, Marta Poretti, triumphed in this challenge, achieving an unprecedented result. In fact, she now holds the all-time women’s record. Oxyburn supported Marta throughout this adventure, which was not without its difficulties—especially given the requirement for total self-sufficiency imposed by the rules. The technological value of Oxyburn’s technical apparel is highlighted by endurance performances, particularly those that place such high demands on both the athlete and the garment itself.

We asked the winnerof the Gobi Ultra Trail to tell us about her experience firsthand.

Marta, first of all, how are you feeling now, a few days after that grueling effort?

I feel amazing!
Sure, I’m not exactly at my best, but I still have plenty of energy. Is it thanks to the adrenaline!?!?
In any case, I’m very satisfied with how I handled the race. I posted a good time without hitting the finish line completely wiped out. Learning from past experiences, I tried to manage my rest breaks as best I could, so I didn’t end up at the finish line like a zombie. And I enjoyed the journey.
I also paid close attention to foot care— changing my socks frequently, cleaning my feet, and applying anti-chafing bandages—which allowed me to reach the finish line with healthy feet!

What were the most difficult moments, and how did you get through them?

One of the toughest parts was definitely the pre-race period. The night before, I felt absolutely terrible—with vomiting and diarrhea that were the worst I’ve ever experienced in my life. Thanks to the medication I’d brought from home in advance and the care of the doctors on site, I managed to get on my feet in time for the start. It was tough to refuel, but thanks alsoto the racenutrition plan —carefully designed and tailored by my nutritionist—I didn’t have any further setbacks.

Another difficult moment came around the 250th km when, perhaps due to all the commotion, I unexpectedly started my period. I managed to handle it, though not without difficulty—especially when communicating with the Chinese volunteers.
Over the next few kilometers, a minor crisis caused by fatigue and the difficulty of navigating the route at night slowed my progress a little.
At the next rest station, I slept for a couple of hours and recovered.

Which Oxyburn items did you choose for your outfit and gear?

Inseparable OxyBuff.
Technical Shirt 5055 forty two For the first half with this, the second with 5110 Lance— it’s great!
For socks, I alternated between the Running Track 1495 and the Running Track 1480. Perfect! My feet didn’t sweat too much , and the socks stayed in place—no sagging!

As someone who is passionate about the mountains and snow, what did you appreciate about the desert, and what fascinated you or surprised you—things you never would have imagined?

To be honest, I was a little scared of an environment so different from what I’m most comfortable with!
I only had 4,000 meters of elevation gain over 400 km!
That was my real challenge. It reminded me of my My first real ultra. Boavista Ultra Trail. Always deserted. Flat. But still different every time.
I crossed long, flat plateaus, areas of compact earth and sandy dunes, and dirt roads leading into nowhere. I climbed mountains along wide dirt roads and trails.
A wonderful variety. Vast horizons where the eye could roam.
And throughout all of this, I’ve tried not to see it as a tedious monotony, but rather as an incredible variety.
No animals. Just a few small plants. With an incredible will to survive in such inhospitable places. I tried to go beyond that. It wasn’t an easy task. To feel like part of that world and capture a little of that powerful energy!

How would you rate the difficulty of this experience compared to the many ultra-trails you’ve tackled?

It’s not really comparable.
The biggest challenges are clearly knowing how to move quickly while using a GPS.
Knowing how to listen to my body and plan rest breaks is essential for me.
Carefully planning nutrition and clothing changes is equally important.
These are all things that aren’t part of a classic ultra.
And finding yourself completely alone, in a dark and silent void, with no points of reference other than those on your GPS, isn’t exactly easy.

Any upcoming events on the schedule?

Nothing specific yet. I’m going to enjoy this trip a little longer!

Marta is a prime example of tremendous determination and passion for long-distance running, appreciating the introspective aspects of these solitary challenges and the direct connection with nature in all its diverse forms. Oxyburn will continue to provide her with technical support for her endeavors, sharing with her and with all lovers of sport this passion, respect, and admiration for the environment—and above all, the determination to never give up!