Zvonimir Grobenski

This August (2025), I will return to Mongolia for the 25th edition of the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (MS2S) race—my 18th time participating. You might wonder: Why do I keep coming back? It all started after my second Everest Marathon, when a fellow runner told me about an extraordinary race in a remote national park in Northern Mongolia. He described running at 1,600 meters, climbing to 2,300 meters—twice—through unspoiled wilderness, along the shores of a vast lake, following ancient horse trails, and being supported by the local community. How could I resist? The first time I ran the 42K, I was completely overwhelmed. At the awards ceremony, I channeled the Terminator and declared: I’ll be back! And I kept my word. I also set myself a challenge—this would be the place where I would conquer a 100K race. The next year, I did just that. And then I kept returning, eventually joining the organizing team. But beyond the personal challenge, there’s another reason I keep returning: the positive impact. The income from race fees, sponsorships, and partnerships with environmental organizations helps protect this pristine region. We organize garbage collection and separation at tourist camps year-round, sponsor park rangers, and engage in other conservation initiatives. Here, you don’t just run—you run for something. You run for nature. And where else could you race through landscapes of such breathtaking beauty? My favorite stretch is running through fields of Edelweiss—not just one or a few, but thousands. So, I’ll leave you with this: If you are a marathoner or ultra-runner and you haven’t experienced the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset, you haven’t truly lived!