The Running Heroes Russia team invites athletes to go on a trail expedition, which will definitely be remembered for a lifetime!
The Kodar Ridge Chara Sands Life Journey Race will take place in the Trans-Baikal Territory, across the northernmost sand desert in the world - the Chara Sands. The Chara Sands, spread out in the taiga among lakes and swamps, will transport athletes to the universe of Frank Herbert's "Dune". Medals made of charoite, a unique mineral that is found nowhere else, will add to the atmosphere of the race.
Race distances: 120, 70, 50 and 30 kilometers are laid out from Staraya Chara and back in such a way that athletes can fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the harsh northern desert and see the maximum of its beauty. 650 participants, of which 100 are on the 120 km distance.
Event Date: August 22-23, 2026
August 22, 2026
10:00 - Start for 120m distance participants
August 23, 2026
06:00 - Start for 70m and 50m distance participants
09:00 - Start for 30m distance participants
16:00 - Finish line closes for 30m and 120m distance participants
18:00 - Finish line closes for 50m distance participants
20:00 - Finish line closes for 70m distance participants
Venue:
Distances:
120 - 127 km; Elevation gain 2,447 m;
70 - 67.6 km; Elevation gain 550 m;
50 - 57.6 km; Elevation gain 312 m;
30 - 30.3 km. Elevation gain: 216 m;
Distance limit:
120 - 30 hours
70 - 14 hours
50 - 12 hours
30 - 7 hours
Participants aged 18 and older are eligible to participate in the 120, 70, 50, and 30 distances.
Participant age is determined based on the actual event date—August 22–23, 2026.
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August 21, 2026 |
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2:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Distribution of start numbers to registered participants |
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2:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Equipment check for participants of all distances |
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14:00 - 18:00 |
Reception of supplies for 120 distance participants |
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18:00 |
Briefing for 120 distance participants |
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22.08.2026 |
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09:00 - 10:00 |
Changing room and Storage lockers for participants in the 120m distance (Chara village) |
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10:00 |
Start for participants in the 120m distance (Chara village) |
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11:00 - 16:00 |
Distribution of start numbers to registered participants |
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19:00 |
Briefing for participants in the 70m, 50m, 30 |
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August 23, 2026 |
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05:00 - 20:00 |
Start/Finish Campus, Changing Rooms, and Storage Room Opening Hours |
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06:00 |
Start for 70m and 50m distance participants |
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08:00 - 09:00 |
Changing room and storage locker opening hours for participants in the 30-meter race (Chara village) |
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09:00 |
Start for participants in the 30-meter race (Chara village) |
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15:00 |
Award ceremony for winners of the 30-meter, 50-meter, 70-meter, and 120-meter races |
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16:00 |
Finish line closes for 30m and 120m distance runners |
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18:00 |
Finish line closes for 50m distance runners |
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20:00 |
Finish line closes for 70m distance runners |
Electronic registration of participants is available on the website www.goldenultra.ru in the participant's personal account from 12:00 July 7, 2025 to 12:00 June 20, 2026.
The registration fee is:
120, 70, 50, 30 - 60,000 rubles.
The registration fee for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs is:
120, 70, 50, 30 - 72,000 rubles.
Re-registration
Re-registration to another person and change of distance are made in the participant's personal account before 12:00 June 20, 2026. Re-registration and distance changes are subject to a fee of 1,000 rubles.
Changing the distance after receiving a start number will cost 1,000 rubles.
Qualification requirements for 120 km distance participants
- a course with 3-4 ITRA points (top 50% of finishers);
- a course with at least 5 ITRA points;
- Mad Fox Ultra K70 (top 30% of finishers);
- White Bride Ultra Gelendzhik M70 (top 30% of finishers);
- Vottovaara Mountain Race 50 miles (top 30% of finishers);
* Only one of the listed distances can be used for qualification, as an alternative to the 100 km finish.
Results from competitions held between 2024 and 2026 are accepted for qualification. year.
The participant's starter pack includes:
Participants' start numbers will be distributed at: 56.795665, 118.271679 Hockey Court (Novaya Chara, Kalarsky Municipal District, Zabaykalsky Krai).
Attention! Starting numbers will not be issued after 7:00 PM!
Conditions for obtaining a starting number
To obtain a starting number, a participant will need:
Participants will not be issued starting numbers by proxy.
Insurance Policy
Athletes are permitted to participate in the competition with an accident and illness insurance policy. Insurance terms:
Medical certificate
Participants of the Kodar Ridge Chara Sands trail expedition have several accommodation options at the starting point:
1) Up until July 15th, both participants and their supporters can purchase accommodation on the trail runner train, which will be parked at Novaya Chara station from 10:55 AM on August 21st to 11:00 PM on August 23rd (local time).
If you purchased a train ticket to board at Neryungri station, you do not need to purchase additional accommodation on the train.
2) Up until July 15th, anyone can register for accommodation at the free tent camp in the village of Novaya Chara.
Location of the tent camp: Novaya Chara village, coordinates: 56.789400, 118.274291.
Walking distance to the start of the 70m and 50m non-travel distances, the finish of all distances, and the bib number distribution area.
There is a small paved parking lot nearby.
Services at the campground:
Please note that tent rentals are not available; guests must bring their own tents.
To reserve a spot, please go to the "Services" section of your personal account my.goldenultra.ru, "Accommodation at Kodar Ridge Chara Sands", "Accommodation for adults", and "Accommodation in a tent camp".
Mandatory Equipment for Participants of the 120
* The contents of the food supply are strictly regulated and cannot be expanded with additional equipment. There are restrictions on the volume of the food supply that can be submitted.
1. Each food package must be labeled with the participant's number. Mixtures - isotonic powders or tablets to be diluted with water (water is provided at CP3). If markings are missing, the participant will receive a penalty in the form of an additional time added to the final result (+30 minutes).
2. The track may be updated the day before the start; information about the track update will be posted on the official race information channels.
- must not have an exposed blade when carried;
- the blade must be sharp enough to cut 10 mm thick rope and textile materials;
- blade length must be at least 3 cm;
- material (optional): steel, ceramic, Titanium, alloy.
5. Required first aid kit contents:
If the flashlight can withstand the required runtime, then an additional set of batteries/rechargeable battery is not required, even if the device is charged via a cable. Otherwise, backup power sources must be provided (additional testing on the trail is possible).
The list of mandatory equipment is subject to change depending on weather conditions!
** Refusal, ignoring inspection, failure to follow the referee's instructions, or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in disqualification!
Mandatory equipment for participants of the course 70
1. Each food package must be labeled with the participant's number. If markings are missing, the participant will receive a penalty of additional time added to the final result (+30 minutes).
2. The track may be updated the day before the start; information about the track update will be posted on the official race information channels.
- must not have an exposed blade when carried;
- the blade must be sharp enough to cut 10 mm thick rope and textile materials;
- blade length at least 3 cm;
- material (optional): steel, ceramic, titanium, alloy.
5. Mandatory content First aid kits:
If the flashlight can withstand the required runtime, then an additional set of batteries/rechargeable battery is not required, even if the device is charged via a cable. Otherwise, backup power sources must be provided (additional testing on the trail is possible).
The list of mandatory equipment is subject to change depending on weather conditions!
** Refusal, ignoring inspection, failure to follow the referee's instructions, or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in disqualification!
Mandatory equipment for participants in the 50m distance
1. Each food package must be labeled with the participant's number. If markings are missing, the participant will receive a penalty of additional time added to the final result (+30 minutes).
2. The track may be updated the day before the start; information about the track update will be posted on the official race information channels.
- must not have an exposed blade when carried;
- the blade must be sharp enough to cut 10 mm thick rope and textile materials;
- blade length at least 3 cm;
- material (optional): steel, ceramic, titanium, alloy.
5. Mandatory content First aid kits:
The list of mandatory equipment is subject to change depending on weather conditions!
** Refusal, ignoring inspection, failure to follow the referee's instructions, or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in disqualification!
Mandatory equipment for participants of the 30
Each food package must be labeled with the participant's number. If markings are missing, the participant will receive a penalty of additional time added to their final result (+30 minutes).
1. The track may be updated the day before the start; information about the track update will be posted on the official race information channels.
The list of mandatory equipment may be changed depending on weather conditions!
** Refusal, ignoring inspection, failure to follow the judge's instructions, or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in disqualification!
Recommended equipment for everyone Participants
* If a participant decides to bring trekking poles with them on the route, they are required to carry the equipment throughout the entire race (leaving equipment in the drop-off area is PROHIBITED - a 1-hour penalty).
Please note: the items included in the mandatory equipment list are basic clothing and equipment that each trail runner should select in accordance with their skills. This means Provides improved safety and efficiency.
At the finish line, the overall leaders may undergo a re-check of their mandatory equipment.




Awarding takes place for 1st through 3rd place men and women in the overall championship for each distance. Participants who take the top spots are awarded valuable prizes and gifts.
Valuable prizes are also awarded to athletes who take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in their age groups:
Each finisher in the 120, 70, 50, and 30 distances receives official ITRA points. 120 finishers are awarded 4 ITRA points, 70 finishers 2 points, 50 finishers 2 points, and 30 finishers 1 point.
A branded train traveling along the Neryungri - Chara - Neryungri route.
The cost of travel and accommodation on the train for participants and accompanying persons is 60,000 rubles. Payment is collected in your personal account on the official website of the event goldenultra.ru. Transfer requests are accepted until July 1, 2026.
There: departs from Neryungri station on August 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM, arrives at Novaya Chara station on August 21, 2026, at 10:55 AM (local time).
Return: departs from Novaya Chara station on August 23, 2026, at 11:00 PM, arrives at Neryungri station on August 24, 2026, at 10:18 PM (local time).
Important!
Athletes are entitled to an extended stay and accommodation on the train at the station. Neryungri until 10:40 on August 25, 2026 (local time).
That is, at Neryungri station, passengers can stay on the train until the end of the stop (until 10:40 on August 25), but according to Russian Railways rules, they can only leave the carriage once, meaning that a participant, having left the carriage, will not be able to return back.
Transfer for participants in the 120 distance
(Provided free of charge, only for event participants).
August 22, 2026
08:30
Buses depart from Central Square 56.798398, 118.276255 (Novaya Chara, Kalarsky Municipal District, Zabaykalsky Krai) to the village. Chara
Transfer for participants in the 30-mile race
(Provided free of charge, for event participants only).
August 23, 2026
07:30
Buses depart from Central Square 56.798398, 118.276255 (Novaya Chara, Kalarsky Municipal District, Zabaykalsky Krai) to the village of Chara
We are confident that the Running Heroes Russia team's competitions can provide unforgettable emotions and an incredible boost of energy, even if you don't run any of the distances.
Anyone who has ever volunteered at our events and supported the athletes on the track and in the start/finish town will confirm the truth of this statement.
We invite you to join our team and experience the festive atmosphere from the inside!
If you want to stay up to date with our news and be the first to know about the start of recruitment for volunteers for one of our events, then subscribe to our Telegram channel https://t.me/rhrvolunteers and stay tuned for updates. The link to the application form for those wishing to join the team will be open 1.5-2 months before the event. Start.
For any questions about volunteering with our team, please email us at volunteer@goldenultra.ru. We are available weekdays! We'd be delighted to welcome you to our ranks. See you soon at the start!
OOO 'Golden Ring Ultra Trail', OGRN: 1207700444280, INN: 9724029321