Event Philosophy

Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset aims to preserve Hovsgol National Park by promoting it as an eco-tourism destination to an environmentally aware and culturally open public and also by sponsoring various protection and clean-up efforts in the park. We aim to do so by providing an international standard ultramarathon race. It is a race set in a unique national park with rare flora and fauna in one of the most beautiful natural environments of the world. Whilst offering challenging competition, the race also aims to preserve the beauty of the setting and to promote local cultural identity.

The park has two small Mongolian towns as well as scores of local nomadic groups and families, and therefore any conservation efforts must go hand in hand with these local users of the park. The event therefore aims to contribute as much as possible to the local economy and to raise awareness among locals that standards of living can best be raised by preserving the park and the local culture. We have tried to achieve this by engaging the local community in the event. This can range from hiring help to setting the course to hiring local doctors supervise aid stations. We are also actively encouraging locals to participate in the race.

In setting the course, we have sought to minimize the impact on the natural environment and we use bio-degradable green paint to mark the course.

We have also sought to use local resources to the greatest extent possible - this extends to using locally produced double cream instead of imported margarine & butter.

The event is fully supported by the Mongolian government:

All proceeds and donations generated by the event go to supporting Hovsgol National Park. One of our current projects is:

Hovsgol National Park Litter Education & Control Project
This project recently received the support of the Ministry for the Environment.

Read about the nomination of Hovsgol National Park for UNESCO "World Heritage Site" status.

Photos by Armin Schirmaier