Pick your challenge: Romania events for running fans in 2017
Running events have multiplied in Romania in recent years and various competitions are available to runners depending on their skill level, from occasional to triathlon ready. Besides keeping in shape, these races offer participants the possibility to see beautiful places in Romania and to raise funds to support various charities.
Below is a selection of events taking place in the country this year for anyone wishing to take their sports practice to competition level.
Gerar 2017 Half Marathon
January 28
Bucharest Polytechnics Campus, Bucharest
This race has two sections: the 10.8 km ELTH cross and the 21 km semi-marathon. Participants are over 18 years old. The cross is an individual race, while the semi-marathon is a team competition. Registrations can be made here.
Postavaru Night
March 25, 26
Poiana Brașov, Brașov
This night-time ski mountaineering and mountain running race is at it 11th edition this year. It is open to experienced athletes, who also know the mountain area as part of the race takes place on unmarked routes. The competition rules can be checked here, where the registration is also being updated.
The Sand Marathon (Maratonul Nisipului)
March 26
Mamaia, Constanța
This endurance race run takes place exclusively on shore sand and includes a marathon, a half marathon, a 10 km race, and a 2 km family run. The eligibility criteria for entering the race can be checked here, while registrations can be made here.
Brașov Intersport Half Marathon
April 1
Brașov, Brașov
This mountain running race starts and ends in Brașov’s historical center. Registrations can be made for several age groups, starting 18. The organizers can be contacted about registrations here.
Bucharest 10K&Family Run
April 2
The baby brother of the Bucharest Marathon and Bucharest Half Marathon is at its second edition this year. More details are available here.
Cluj International Marathon
April 9
Cluj-Napoca, Cluj
This race includes a 42 km marathon, a 21 km half-marathon, a 10K, a 4×10,5km marathon relay, and a 5K. A kids race takes place one day earlier, on April 8. Runners must be at least 18 years old in order to compete. Registrations can be made here.
Brașov Marathon
April 22
Brașov, Brașov
This competition covers a 38 km marathon, a 21 km semi-marathon, a 9 km cross, and a children’s cross. The races take participants on marked tracks in Brașov and the Postăvarul massif. Registrations will be open here.
Iași 2017 Half Marathon
April 23
The event includes an individual semi-marathon, a 10 km cross, a popular race and a children’s race. Registrations can be made here.
Eco-marathon Moeiciu de Sus
May 6
Moieciu de Sus, Brașov
This mountain running race takes participants through the beautiful hills and valleys of the Moieciu area, on mountain tracks and forest roads, with only 10% of the track taking place on asphalted roads. Registrations open January 15 here.
The Bucharest Half-Marathon
May 13,14
Bucharest
The event covers a 21 km half-marathon, a 10.5 km individual race, a relay race, a popular race, a teens race and a kids race. At past editions, more than 12,000 runners from over 60 countries joined the race. Registrations can be made here. Disabled athletes can register for the wheelchairs/hand-bikes category in any of the individual races.
Transylvania 100
May 20
Bran, Brașov
Those taking on the challenge of this race will run on ancient forest trails, mountain plateaus and ridges starting from the Bran castle and back to it. Registrations open to solo runners and teams-of-two in the 100k and 50k, and solo in the 30k and 20. They can be made here.
Arad Marathon, Half Marathon and Cross
May 27
Arad, Arad
The following races are available: a 52.75 km ultra-marathon, a 42 km marathon, a 21 km half-marathon, a 6 km cross, and a 1 km cross. Registrations can be made here.
Sibiu Half Marathon
May 27
Sibiu, Sibiu
Those opting for this race can join a 21 km half-marathon, two relay races or a 5 km cross. A race for children is also available. Registrations will open here.
Arobs X-Man Romania Triathlon
June 9,10
Oradea
The competition has two race formats - Long Distance and Half Distance – and is open to amateur and professional athletes alike. Registrations can be made here.
DHL Marathon
June 17
Poiana Brasov
Athletes running the DHL Marathon have the chance to go through the nice towns around Brasov, with the starting line in Predeal, passing through Rasnov, and reaching the finish line at the Stana Turistica plateau in Poiana Brasov. Registrations for the event start on February 15. Find out more details here.
Retezat SkyRace Intersport
June 17
Cheile Butii, Hunedoara
This sky-running event takes athletes on mountain tracks starting at the Butii gorges, in Retezat mountains. Kids can also run a dedicated race. Registrations will open here.
Urbatlon
June 17
Arena Națională, Bucharest
The race takes place on the premises of Arena Națională and has various challenges prepared for runners. Registrations will open here.
Bate Toaca
June 24
Durău, Neamț
The tracks of the event, which includes a 16 km vertical race and a marathon, take runners through mountain trails in the Ceahlau mountains. Registrations for the event are open here.
Via Maria Theresia Marathon
August 26
Colibița, Bistrița-Năsăud
Via Maria Theresia (the road of Maria Theresia) links the Călimani and Rodnei mountains and is the setting for this competition with four sections: marathon, half-marathon, utra-marathon and mountain-biking. Registrations for the 2017 race can be made here.
Corcova Trail Race
August 26
Corcova vineyard, Mehedinți
This race takes place through the Corcova vineyard and has several segments: a 15 km one, a 6 km one, an MTB one, and a kids race. Registrations will open here.
Endurance Triathlon Belis
August 26
Beliş, Cluj
An Olympic distance triathlon and a half ironman taking place in the Beliş lake area. Further details on the race here.
Ciucas X3
September 8 – 10
Cheia, Brașov
This mountain running competition covers a half-marathon, a marathon, and an ultra-marathon, all on the trails of the Ciucaș mountains. Registrations for the event will open here.
Transfier Half Distance Triathlon
September 9
Swimming in Vidraru lake, cycling on the Transfăgărășan and running by the lake are part of this triathlon challenge. Registrations will open here.
Transmaraton
September, exact date to be announced
Running a marathon on Romania's high altitude road Transfăgărășan up to 2,000 meters is a big challenge. The details for this year's edition haven't been announced yet, but you can follow the news here.
Piatra Craiului Marathon
October 7
Zărnești, Brașov
The race involves completing a stage tour of the Piatra Craiului, from and to Zărnești. Registrations begin in June and can be made here.
Bucharest Marathon
October 7, 8
Bucharest
The biggest running event in Romania reaches its 10th edition this year. A marathon, a half-marathon, a relay marathon, a 3.6 km popular race, a teens and a children race await Bucharest sports fans. As is the case with the Bucharest Half Marathon, disabled athletes can register for a wheelchair race. Registrations can be made here.
Băneasa Winter Trail Run
December 10
Băneasa forest, Bucharest
A cross and a half-marathon going through Băneasa forest. Registrations are open here.
