Photo: inalergare.ro
Cindrel în Alergare
The legend returns — mountain running in the Cindrel massif
25 July 2026 · Păltiniș, Sibiu
A 12 km cross with about +500 m of climbing and a 23 km semimarathon with about +1,000 m: Cindrel în Alergare takes on the forests and ridges of the Cindrel massif above Păltiniș. Two distances, one mountain, start and finish at Tabăra Șanta.
Date
25 July 2026
Where
Păltiniș, Sibiu
Distances
12 & 23 km
Max vertical
+1,000 m
The race
Mountain running in the Cindrel
Now at its 11th edition, Cindrel în Alergare is one of Romania's classic mountain-running weekends — the legend returns to the Cindrel massif, between Șanta and Păltiniș in the highlands of Sibiu county.
The course climbs from the pine forests around Tabăra Șanta onto open alpine ridges, giving both distances the raw scale of the Cindrel: long climbs, fast descents and summit air. Whether it's your first mountain race or your next step up, there's a distance built for you.
Distances
Two distances, one mountain
A 12 km cross to get a taste of the mountain, or the 23 km semimarathon onto the Cindrel ridge. Pick the distance that matches your mountain legs — both races share the same start and finish at Tabăra Șanta.
Cros
A short mountain run with about +500 m of climbing — the friendliest way into Cindrel în Alergare. 3-hour cut-off.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Vertical gain
- +500 m
- Level
- Accessible
For: First-timers · open from age 14 with parental consent
RegisterSemimaraton
A true half-marathon on the trail, climbing about +1,000 m up to the Cindrel ridge. 5-hour cut-off.
- Distance
- 23 km
- Vertical gain
- +1,000 m
- Level
- Intermediate
For: Trail runners aged 18+
Register
Entry fees vary by distance — see the official site for the price of each race.
Verticality
Up to 1,000 metres of climbing
The Cindrel doesn't give away altitude. The 12 km cross climbs about +500 m; the 23 km semimarathon doubles that to about +1,000 m on its way up to the Cindrel ridge.
+500
12 km
Cros
+1,000
23 km
Semimaraton
Practical info
Everything you need to know
- Registration
- 1 Feb 2026 – 20 Jul 2026
- Entry fee
- varies by distance
- Elevation gain
- 500-1000 m D+
- Start
- Tabara Santa, Muntii Cindrel
- Terrain
- Trail
- GPX track
- Download
Details
About the event
Cindrel În Alergare, ediția a XI-a (Șanta – Păltiniș, 25 iulie 2026) — maraton montan în Munții Cindrel.
Trasee
- Cros — 12 km, dificultate redusă, +500 m
- Semimaraton — 23 km, +1000 m
- Maraton — 46 km, +2200 m, traseu profesioniști
- Ultra Maraton — 91 km, +5500 m
Înscrieri
- Deschidere: 1 februarie 2026
- Termen limită: 20 iulie 2026
Bun de știut
- Punct de start: Tabăra Șanta, Munții Cindrel
- Diferență de nivel: 500–5500 m D+
- Locație: Șanta — Păltiniș, Munții Cindrel, Sibiu
On the mountain
What to expect
Marked mountain course
Waymarked trails and ridge sections across the Cindrel, with marshals and signage on route.
Aid stations
Supply points with water and food along the course, spaced for each distance.
Cut-off times
Both distances run to a time limit to keep every runner safe on the mountain: 3 hours for the cross, 5 hours for the semimarathon.
Finisher reward
A finisher medal and the Cindrel summit atmosphere waiting at Tabăra Șanta.
Schedule
Event schedule
- 17:00Validare înscrieri și ridicare numere — ziua anterioară (17:00–22:00)
- 07:00Validare înscrieri și ridicare numere — ziua concursului (07:00–08:00)
- 08:30Start Cros 12 km
- 09:00Start Semimaraton 23 km
- 16:00Premiere Cros și Semimaraton
Good to know
Frequently asked
Which distance is right for me?
Start with the 12 km cross (+500 m) if you're new to mountain running; it's also the only distance open to teenagers, from age 14 with a parent's or guardian's consent. Step up to the 23 km semimarathon (+1,000 m, 18+) once your climbing legs are ready.
Are there cut-off times?
Yes — 3 hours for the 12 km cross and 5 hours for the 23 km semimarathon. Runners over the limit may continue at their own risk but are disqualified. Details are in the official race rules on inalergare.ro.
Is there mandatory kit?
Check the official race rules on inalergare.ro for the equipment requirements before you pack. Mountain weather on the Cindrel ridge can change quickly, so a waterproof layer and a phone are sensible on either distance.
When does registration close?
Online registration closes on 20 July, per the official race rules. Entries are handled on the official site, inalergare.ro; on-site entries on race day are taken only while places last.
Where is the start?
All distances start and finish at Tabăra Șanta, in the Șanta – Păltiniș area of the Cindrel Mountains, Sibiu county.
The legend returns
Subscribe to follow Cindrel în Alergare and get reminders as race day approaches — or register now on the official site.