Photo: proactivi.org
Crosul Cetăților Arad
Cross-country running at a historic Romanian citadel.
16 May 2026 · Arad, Arad
Trail and cross-country running with the start and finish at a historic citadel — a longer race for adults, a short popular race and a kids' race. Open to amateur runners, with electronic timing on the adult races.
About the race
A morning at the citadel
Pick your distance
The races at this round
Distances and fees as published by the organiser for this round. Pick by realistic time on your feet, not by the distance you've been training.
Cursa populara 2 Km
The short race, open to everyone
- Distance
- 2 km
RegisterFee: 40 lei
Proba 10 Km
Adult cross-country race
- Distance
- 10 km
RegisterFee: 150 lei
Proba 21 Km
The longest race of the day
- Distance
- 21 km
RegisterFee: 180 lei
Proba copii
The kids' race, by age group
- Distance
- Short course
RegisterFee: Free
Who: Kids, with parental consent
The citadel
Race day at the fortress
The fortress is the venue and half the reason to come. The practical details are in the organiser's programme and regulations.
Start and finish are at the citadel — in Arad the course runs inside the fortifications of Cetatea Aradului; in Suceava the start is at the foișor on the Cetatea de Scaun plateau. Kit pickup and the prize-giving happen in the start/finish area. Bring layers for the weather and a camera.
Race entry covers the race. To visit the citadel's museum or interior, check the citadel's own opening hours and tickets.
- Start / finish
- At the citadel (see the event location)
- Kit pickup
- Start area, before the races — times in the programme
- Terrain
- Trail and path around the fortress
- Programme
- Published by the organiser for each round
Kids & family
The kids' race
Every round runs a kids' race at the citadel: a short course, age groups set by the organiser, parental consent at registration. Distance, age groups, fee and start time are in the round's regulations and programme.
Before you register your kid
Read the round's regulations for the age groups and any rules on minors running the adult distances (Suceava, for example, lets under-10s run the 3.5 km popular race only with a designated adult alongside).
Every under-18 starter needs written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Categories
Open rankings + age groups
Each organiser sets its own classification: overall Open rankings by gender plus age groups. The exact bands are in the round's regulations.
Open (M / W)
DefaultOverall ranking per race, men and women. Open to amateur runners.
Age groups (M / W)
Age-group rankings per gender, set by the organiser — at Suceava the 15 km uses 14–17, 18–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60+.
Kids' race
KidsIts own age groups and start. See the Kids & family section.
Race day
Schedule
Typical order of the day. The organiser's programme has the exact times.
- 09:00
Deschidere verificare și preluare numere
- 09:30
Briefing de siguranță
Instrucțiuni traseu în cetate
- 10:00
Start curse
2K, 10K, 21K cronometrat
- 12:00
Festivitate premiere
Crosul Cetăților
Crosul Cetăților
2 races listed under Crosul Cetăților on Competi.ro, each hosted at a historic fortress.
Round 1
This round01Crosul Cetăților Arad
· Arad
Round 2
Done02Crosul Cetăților Suceava
· Suceava
FAQ
Race day at the citadel
Where exactly is the start?
At the citadel: at Cetatea Aradului for the Arad race, at the foișor on the Cetatea de Scaun plateau for the Suceava race. The organiser's programme gives the exact meeting point.
What shoes are recommended?
Trail shoes with a profiled sole — the courses run mostly on trail and path (the Suceava organiser recommends trail shoes; its course has a little asphalt).
How does the kids' race work?
Kids race in age groups over a short course, with parental consent at registration. At Suceava the groups are 4–7, 8–11 and 12–14 (girls and boys) and every child gets a finisher medal; at Arad the kids' race is free. Each round's regulations have the details.
Do I need a federation licence?
The Suceava race is open to all runners, professional or amateur, with no licence requirement in its regulations. For Arad, check ProActivi's race information.
How does timing work?
The adult races are electronically timed and results are published by the organiser or its timing partner. At Suceava, kids' race results aren't published online.
Is there a cut-off time?
At Suceava: 3 hours for the 15 km cross and 1 hour for the 3.5 km popular race. For other rounds, see the organiser's regulations.
Where do I park?
Both citadels are in town. Plan parking around the citadel and arrive in time for kit pickup; the organiser's programme names the meeting point.
What if the weather turns?
The organiser can change the course, delay the start or cancel for severe weather, and announces changes online and on site. Dress in layers and bring a dry change for the finish.
See you at the citadel.
Registration is online through the organiser's form — the button links straight to it. Fees are per distance (see above) and can rise closer to race day.