Peniel Trail Run
More than a race.
13 June 2026 · Bistrița, Pădurea Schullerwald, Bistrita_Nasaud
A full day of trail running, kids' races and live music in the forest above Bistrița — where every entry helps build a community centre that will outlast the finish line.
About the run
Run the forest. Build something that stays.
Run for the Centre
Every entry builds the Centrul Multifuncțional Peniel
Peniel Trail Run helps raise funds for building the Centrul Multifuncțional Peniel — a community centre with sports halls, an afterschool programme and a sports field for the children and families of Bistrița-Năsăud. You lace up; the kilometres turn into bricks.
Fundraiser
for building the centre
Sports halls
indoor space for the community
Afterschool
support for local children
Sports field
open ground for play & training
No invented numbers — what you give simply goes where it says it does.
Pick your distance
Four ways to take part
From a forest half-marathon to a first race for the little ones — there's a start line for everyone in the family.
21 km
Semimaraton
The long line through the Schullerwald forest — the full half-marathon trail.
For: Experienced trail and road runners after a real forest challenge.
10 km
Cross
A spirited middle distance on forest trails — long enough to earn the finish, short enough to fly.
For: Regular runners ready to step onto the trails.
5 km
Cross
The friendly entry distance — walk it, jog it or race it, all on soft forest ground.
For: First-timers, families and anyone here for the day out.
Kids' race
Cross Kids
A short, joyful course just for children — their own start line, their own medal.
For: The youngest runners in the family.
Every entry includes
A race number, electronic timing, hydration and food points, a finisher medal, a personalised event tee, and the knowledge that your fee helps build the centre.
Place of meeting
Why “Peniel”
Peniel — “place of meeting” — the name Jacob gave the place where he met God face to face (Genesis 32).
For Fundația Peniel România, that name is a mission: to build a place where the community meets — across faiths, ages and backgrounds — around sport, learning and hope. The trail run is how that mission goes public. Everyone is welcome at the start line, whatever they believe; the only shared belief asked of you is that a town is better with a place for its children to gather.
300+
runners at the first edition (2025), part of a festival of roughly 600 people
A full-day festival
Not just a race — a day in the forest
Races, a kids' start line and a live concert turn the finish area into a festival that runs from morning into the afternoon.
Trail races start
09:30The 21 km, 10 km and 5 km waves head out into the Schullerwald forest.
Live concert
12:00A live concert in the festival area while the runners come home.
Kids' races
12:30The children get their own start line, their own course and their own finish-line cheer.
Lunch, awards & raffle
13:00Lunch, the awards ceremony at 14:00 and a raffle at 14:30 — the day wraps up at 16:00.
Why join
Four reasons to be there
A run with a purpose, a course you'll remember and a day the whole family can share.
Run for a cause
Your entry helps build the Centrul Multifuncțional Peniel — kilometres that turn into a place for the community.
Forest trails
The Schullerwald forest above Bistrița: soft ground, shade and a marked, marshalled course.
Bring the kids
A dedicated Cross Kids race means the youngest runners have their own start line and medal.
Stay for the music
A live concert, lunch, awards and a raffle turn race day into a festival.
Where you'll run
Pădurea Schullerwald, Bistrița
All distances run through the Schullerwald forest on the edge of Bistrița, in Bistrița-Năsăud county. The start, finish and festival share one clearing — find it on the map below.
Race day
How the day runs
Programme from the official regulations on run.peniel.ro — the organisers may adjust it if needed.
- Fri 17:00–21:00
Kit pickup
Biserica Peniel, Viișoara (opposite Ford). On-site entries also possible.
- Sat 08:00–09:00
Kit pickup
In the Schullerwald forest, at the start area.
- 09:30
Semimaraton 21 km start
- 09:45
Cros 10 km start
- 10:00
Cros 5 km start
- 12:00
Live concert
- 12:30
Kids' races
- 13:00
Lunch
- 14:00
Awards
- 14:30
Raffle
- 16:00
Close
FAQ
Good to know
How do I register?
Registration is online via run.peniel.ro. Sign up, choose your distance and complete your entry there. Online registration is open until Thursday 11 June 2026 (or until places run out); you can also enter on-site at kit pickup on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June.
What distances can I run?
Four options: a 21 km Semimaraton, a 10 km Cross, a 5 km Cross, and a Cross Kids race for children. Pick the one that fits where you are as a runner — and the whole family can take part on the same day.
What does my entry include?
Every entry includes a race number, electronic timing, hydration and food points, a finisher medal, a personalised event tee and access to the start/finish area. Most importantly, your fee helps raise funds for building the Centrul Multifuncțional Peniel.
How much does it cost?
Early Bird (until 31 March 2026): 170 lei for the 21 km or 10 km, 145 lei for the 5 km. Standard (1 April – 30 May 2026): 190 lei for the 21 km or 10 km, 160 lei for the 5 km. Check run.peniel.ro for the current price. Whatever you pay supports the centre.
Can my children take part?
Yes. There's a dedicated Cross Kids race with its own short course, start line and finish, so the youngest members of the family have a race made just for them.
Where is it and where do I park?
The run takes place in Pădurea Schullerwald, on the edge of Bistrița in Bistrița-Năsăud county. The start, finish and festival all share one forest clearing; see the map on this page, and check run.peniel.ro for parking and access details near the event.
Is this a faith event? Am I welcome if I'm not religious?
Peniel Trail Run is organised by a Christian foundation and the cause is rooted in its community mission — but everyone is welcome at the start line, whatever they believe. You're here to run, to bring your family and to help build something good for the town.
Run the forest. Build the centre.
Register online by 11 June 2026 and join the second edition of Peniel Trail Run — a day of running, kids' races and live music where every kilometre helps build a home for the community.