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Photo: bzb.ro
Run in the shadow of a 13th-century Saxon citadel.
10–13 September 2026 · Râșnov, Brasov
Four days of off-road running below the medieval Râșnov Citadel, in the Bârsa Land beneath the Bucegi. In 2026 the fortress hills also host the European Masters Off-Road Running Championships — international prestige layered over Transylvanian pageantry.
About the run
The Citadel Course
Five timed off-road routes, plus a kids' race, a four-legged (dog) race, and an adaptive / para start. From a brutal half-hour Vertical to a full mountain Marathon — choose the one the citadel hill owes you.
The full circuit of the Bârsa Land's ridges — the long, hard answer.
Profile
Surface: Mountain trail
Who: Experienced mountain runners
A long half on forest paths and citadel ridgelines.
Profile
Surface: Trail & forest road
Who: Confident trail runners
A punchy cross-country loop with the fortress always in view.
Profile
Surface: Trail & path
Who: Active runners stepping up
Straight up the citadel hill. Lungs, calves, willpower.
Profile
Surface: Steep trail
Who: Vertical-km specialists
The accessible distance — your first taste of the citadel hills.
Profile
Surface: Trail & path
Who: First-timers & families
By the numbers
European Masters Championship 2026
What makes 2026 different.
In 2026 Râșnov hosts the European Masters Off-Road Running Championships (EMORRC) — the continental title race for masters age-group athletes, run on the same citadel hills as the open event. It puts an international field on Romanian trails and a European medal within reach for veteran runners.
Age-group athletes compete for European Masters off-road honours across the championship distances.
Entry is by masters age category, in the European Masters Athletics tradition — every five-year band races its own classification.
The EMORRC championship entry is handled separately through OpenTrack, alongside the open Run Transylvania registration.
Championship entries close roughly a month before race week — earlier than the open races. Don't leave it to the wall.
The open Râșnov Medieval Run distances stay open to everyone. EMORRC is the championship layer on top — you can run the fortress hills with or without a masters bib.
Race the fortress
The Râșnov Citadel isn't scenery — it's the reason the route exists.
Saxon and Teutonic settlers raised the Râșnov Citadel on its limestone hill in the 13th century as a refuge fortress: when raiders crossed the Bârsa Land, whole villages sheltered behind its walls, complete with houses, a chapel, a school and a famously deep well. Centuries of sieges left it standing. Today its ramparts watch over every climb and descent of the run — you race up toward the same skyline that medieval Râșnov defended.
The citadel sits directly above the start in Piața Unirii — easy to visit before or after your race.
Why run it
A real medieval citadel, a championship field, and a weekend built for the whole family — not just the marathoners.
Race the same hills that host the 2026 EMORRC masters title — prestige most local trail events never see.
From a 3.5 km Vertical to a 40 km Marathon, plus kids', four-legged (dog) and adaptive / para starts — everyone has a race.
An 800-year-old Saxon fortress crowns every course. Few finish lines come with this skyline.
Built by the Run Transylvania crew into a 5th-edition weekend — marked routes, timing, aid stations, festival heart.
On the map
Every distance starts and finishes in Piața Unirii in Râșnov, climbing into the forested hills around the citadel. Explore the area below.
Race weekend
Indicative weekend shape — exact start times and the EMORRC programme are published by Run Transylvania and OpenTrack closer to the date. Always confirm on the official site before you travel.
Opening · bib pickup
Race office opens in Râșnov; first arrivals collect bibs and explore the citadel.
Vertical & early starts
The 3.5 km / +850 m Vertical and supporting races on the citadel hill.
Marathon & long courses
The 40 km Marathon and Half+ 25 km set off from Piața Unirii into the mountains.
EMORRC championship races
European Masters off-road title races for the masters age-group field.
Cross, kids & dog race
Cross+ 12 km, Cross 5 km, the kids' race, the four-legged (dog) race and adaptive / para start.
Awards & festival close
Podiums, masters medals and the closing celebration in old Râșnov.
FAQ
Online via Run Transylvania at runtransylvania.com — the Râșnov Medieval Run page lists every open distance. The EMORRC masters championship has a separate entry handled through OpenTrack. Sign up early; prices rise in tiers as the race approaches.
Marathon 40 km (+2000 m), Half+ 25 km (+1050 m), Cross+ 12 km (+400 m), Vertical 3.5 km (+850 m) and Cross 5 km — plus a kids' race, a four-legged (dog) race and an adaptive / para start. The database lists 11 races across the four days.
Entry fees run roughly 80–230 RON depending on the distance and how early you sign up. Run Transylvania uses tiered pricing, so the earlier you commit the less you pay. The EMORRC championship entry is priced and handled separately via OpenTrack.
It's the European Masters Off-Road Running Championships — the continental masters title race, run on the Râșnov citadel hills in 2026. Entry is for masters age-group athletes through OpenTrack, with a deadline around August 10. The open Râșnov Medieval Run distances stay open to all abilities regardless of the championship.
Start and finish are in Piața Unirii in the centre of Râșnov, Brașov county, below the medieval citadel. Râșnov sits between Brașov and Bran, well served by road; arrive early on race morning as the centre fills up.
Yes — there's a dedicated kids' race and an accessible Cross 5 km, plus the four-legged (dog) race for runners and their dogs and an adaptive / para start. It's built as a family weekend, not just a marathoners' event.
Around August 10, roughly a month before race week — earlier than the open Run Transylvania races. If you're chasing a European Masters bib, enter via OpenTrack well ahead of that date.
Sign up for the Râșnov Medieval Run, or chase a European Masters title in 2026. Either way, the fortress hill is yours to climb.