Maraton Tarcău
Running with heart through its wondrous mountains.
„alergând cu inima prin minunații săi munți”
13 June 2026 · Schitu Tarcău (Comuna Tarcău), Neamt
A race born in the village of Comuna Tarcău, climbing into the wild, forested Valea Tarcăului. From the gates of the Schitu Tarcău monastery, runners set off through the Munți Tarcău — the same trails that grew this race from 300 hearts in 2023 into a full mountain marathon.
Born in the village
A community race, run with heart
Valea Tarcăului
Three distances, one valley
Marathon, half, or cross — every route starts and finishes at the Schitu Tarcău monastery and threads the forested trails of the Tarcău mountains. Choose your distance and meet us in the valley.
Start / Finish: Mănăstirea Schitu Tarcău
Marathon · 42 km
The full mountain marathon — the longest line through the Munți Tarcău, the route that gave the race its name.
- Start / Finish
- Mănăstirea Schitu Tarcău
- Fee
- 180 → 200 lei
- For
- Experienced trail & mountain runners
Half · 21 km
Half the distance, all of the valley — a strong day out on the forest trails for committed runners.
- Start / Finish
- Mănăstirea Schitu Tarcău
- Fee
- 180 → 200 lei
- For
- Runners ready for a real mountain half
Cross · 8 km
The welcoming distance — a taste of the Tarcău trails for first-timers, families and locals.
- Start / Finish
- Mănăstirea Schitu Tarcău
- Fee
- 150 → 180 lei
- For
- First-timers, families & newcomers
Prices are tiered and rise as the race nears. The June price does not include a finisher tee. Some editions also add a short family run — check the registration page for the current line-up.
How it began
From 300 hearts in 2023
In 2023 around 300 runners answered the first call and ran the trails above Schitu Tarcău. What started as a village idea became a tradition: edition by edition the distances grew, the cross became a half, the half became a full marathon, and word spread beyond the valley — yet the spirit stayed the same. People run here because the place, and the people who made it, are worth the climb.
Editions
2023
The first call
Around 300 hearts gather above Schitu Tarcău for the inaugural run.
3002024
The valley grows
More distances, more runners — the tradition takes root in the community.
2025
A full marathon
The race reaches its full 42 km mountain marathon distance.
2026
4th edition
Marathon, half and cross from the monastery gates — 13 June.
The race is organised by Asociația Victoria Tarcău and supported by the local forestry district (Ocolul Silvic), who open and care for the trails through the Munți Tarcău.
Why run Tarcău
What waits in the valley
A monastery start line, forest singletrack, a village that turns out for you, and a finish you'll remember.
A monastery start line
Start and finish at the Schitu Tarcău monastery — a quiet, grounding place to begin a mountain day.
Wild forested trails
Run the Valea Tarcăului and the Munți Tarcău, on trails opened and cared for by the local forestry district.
A community behind you
Volunteers, neighbours and the Asociația Victoria Tarcău make this a race with heart, not just a result sheet.
A distance for everyone
From an 8 km cross to a full 42 km marathon — newcomers and seasoned mountain runners share the same valley.
Age categories
Five brackets, men & women
Each distance is scored across five age brackets, separately for men and women.
- 18–29M / F
- 30–39M / F
- 40–49M / F
- 50–59M / F
- 60+M / F
Men (M) and women (F) are ranked separately within every bracket.
Race day
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Indicative race-day timing at the Schitu Tarcău monastery. Final times and start order are confirmed on the registration page closer to the day.
- 07:30
Ridicare kit (până 10:30)
- 08:15
Ședința tehnică
- 09:00
Start Maraton 42 km
- 10:00
Start Semimaraton 21 km
- 11:00
Start Cros 8 km
- 16:30
Premierea
- 17:30
Hora de la Tarcau
FAQ
Good to know
How do I register?
Registration is online at maraton-tarcau.ro/inscriere/. Pick your distance — marathon (42 km), half (21 km) or cross (8 km) — and complete the form there. Prices rise as the race nears, so signing up early is cheaper.
What distances can I run?
Three: the full mountain marathon at 42 km, the half at 21 km, and the cross at 8 km. Some editions also add a short family run — check the registration page for the current line-up.
How much does it cost?
Entry is tiered and rises toward race day. The 42 km and 21 km go from 180 to 200 lei; the 8 km cross from 150 to 180 lei. The June price does not include a finisher tee.
Where is the start and finish?
Both at the Mănăstirea Schitu Tarcău (the Schitu Tarcău monastery) in the Valea Tarcăului, Comuna Tarcău, Neamț county. The whole event is centred on the monastery.
How are categories scored?
Every distance is ranked across five age brackets — 18–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60+ — separately for men and women.
Is it suitable for beginners or families?
Yes. The 8 km cross is the welcoming distance for first-timers, families and locals, and some editions add an even shorter family run. The valley belongs to everyone who comes to run it.
Who organises the race?
Asociația Victoria Tarcău, the village association behind the event, with support from the local forestry district (Ocolul Silvic) who open and care for the trails through the Munți Tarcău.
Come run with us in the valley.
Register online at maraton-tarcau.ro/inscriere/. Prices rise as 13 June nears — claim your place above the Schitu Tarcău monastery while it's cheaper.