An ultra-marathon in the Gobi desert was held in Jiuquan, Gansu province on Nov 8, 2015. The event was sponsored by the China Athletic Association, Gansu sports bureau and Qiuquan government.

The Changan Ford Kuga Gobi Ultra-Marathon has a 50-kilometer track, half of which features the Gobi landscape, making the event extremely unique, according to the organizers.

The event has got support from the International Association of Ultrarunners and its unique track has attracted many professional marathon runners.

A total of 158 runners from around the world joined the competition, and 81 were from abroad, including the queen of the runner's world Meghan Arbogast from the US and others from Kenya, Germany and Egypt.

"It's a great track featuring various landforms and challenges," says Souhei Kobayashi, honorary council member of the association.

The marathon will help China draw closer to its goal of becoming a powerful sports country, says Wang Dawei, vice-chairman of the China Athletic Association.

Jiuquan Mayor Du Wei says that he hopes the event could boost sports and culture integration in the city and help it transform its economy.

The city has been striving to transform itself into a sports city in western China over the years.