Photo: bzb.ro
Râșnov Medieval Run
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
A medieval citadel frames every course
The Citadel Course
Pick your distance
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.
Marathon
MarqueeThe full circuit of the Bârsa Land's ridges — the long, hard answer.
Profile
- Distance
- 40 km
- Elevation
- +2000 m
Surface: Mountain trail
Who: Experienced mountain runners
Half+
A long half on forest paths and citadel ridgelines.
Profile
- Distance
- 25 km
- Elevation
- +1050 m
Surface: Trail & forest road
Who: Confident trail runners
Cross+
A punchy cross-country loop with the fortress always in view.
Profile
- Distance
- 12 km
- Elevation
- +400 m
Surface: Trail & path
Who: Active runners stepping up
Vertical
MarqueeStraight up the citadel hill. Lungs, calves, willpower.
Profile
- Distance
- 3.5 km
- Elevation
- +850 m
Surface: Steep trail
Who: Vertical-km specialists
Cross 5K
The accessible distance — your first taste of the citadel hills.
Profile
- Distance
- 5 km
- Elevation
- Rolling
Surface: Trail & path
Who: First-timers & families
By the numbers
- Marathon climbing
- +2000 m
- Vertical in 3.5 km
- +850 m
- Longest route
- 40 km
- Sep 10–13
- 4 days
European Masters Championship 2026
EMORRC comes to Râșnov
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.
Continental masters title
Age-group athletes compete for European Masters off-road honours across the championship distances.
Age-group brackets
Entry is by masters age category, in the European Masters Athletics tradition — every five-year band races its own classification.
Registration via OpenTrack
The EMORRC championship entry is handled separately through OpenTrack, alongside the open Run Transylvania registration.
Entry deadline ~Aug 10
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
Eight centuries of stone above the start line
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.
- First built
- 13th century (Saxon / Teutonic)
- Purpose
- Hilltop refuge fortress
- Setting
- Bârsa Land, below the Bucegi
- Start / Finish
- Piața Unirii, Râșnov
Why run it
More than a trail race
A real medieval citadel, a championship field, and a weekend built for the whole family — not just the marathoners.
European championship year
Race the same hills that host the 2026 EMORRC masters title — prestige most local trail events never see.
Five distances + more
From a 3.5 km Vertical to a 40 km Marathon, plus kids', four-legged (dog) and adaptive / para starts — everyone has a race.
Citadel backdrop
An 800-year-old Saxon fortress crowns every course. Few finish lines come with this skyline.
Run Transylvania craft
Built by the Run Transylvania crew into a 5th-edition weekend — marked routes, timing, aid stations, festival heart.
On the map
Start, finish & citadel hill
Every distance starts and finishes in Piața Unirii in Râșnov, climbing into the forested hills around the citadel. Explore the area below.
Distances
- Maraton 40 km40 km↗ +2000 m170/190/210 lei (tiers 1.03–26.08) · 230 lei la fața locului
- SemimaratonPLUS 25 km25 km↗ +1030 m160/180/200 lei · 220 lei la fața locului
- CrosPLUS Powered by Strabag 12 km12 km↗ +400 m130/150/170 lei · 190 lei la fața locului
- Dino Race 5 km5 km↗ +149 m110/130/150 lei · 180 lei la fața locului
- Vertical Race3.7 km (urcare directă)↗ +850 m100/120/140 lei · 160 lei la fața locului · pachete Vertical+ 180–280 lei
- Kids Run300 m – 3000 m (categorii 2–13 ani)80 lei online · 100 lei la fața locului
Race weekend
Four days, September 10–13
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.
- 10:00
Joi 10.09 — Ridicare kituri & înscrieri (10:00–20:00)
- 17:00
Joi 10.09 — Ceremonia de deschidere EMORRC
- 18:30
Joi 10.09 — Ședința tehnică Vertical Race
- 08:00
Vineri 11.09 — Autobuze spre Poiana Brașov (08:00 și 08:45)
- 10:00
Vineri 11.09 — Start Vertical Race Men (Women 10:30)
- 16:00
Vineri 11.09 — Premiere Vertical Race
- 08:30
Sâmbătă 12.09 — Start Maraton, SemimaratonPLUS și Long Race EMORRC
- 09:00
Sâmbătă 12.09 — Start Dino Race și CrosPLUS
- 11:00
Sâmbătă 12.09 — Premiere Dino Race (11:00) și CrosPLUS (11:15)
- 15:00
Sâmbătă 12.09 — Premiere SemimaratonPLUS (15:00) și Maraton (17:00)
- 08:30
Duminică 13.09 — Start Up&Down EMORRC (M 08:30, F 09:00)
- 09:15
Duminică 13.09 — Start Cursa Specială
- 09:45
Duminică 13.09 — Starturi Kids Run pe categorii (09:45–11:10)
- 11:30
Duminică 13.09 — Start Cursa Patrupedelor
- 12:00
Duminică 13.09 — Premiere Specială, Copii & Patrupede
FAQ
Before you toe the line
How do I register?
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.
Which distances are there?
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.
How much does it cost?
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.
What is the EMORRC and can anyone enter?
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.
Where is the start and how do I get there?
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.
Is there a race for kids and families?
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.
When is the EMORRC entry deadline?
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.
The citadel is waiting.
Sign up for the Râșnov Medieval Run, or chase a European Masters title in 2026. Either way, the fortress hill is yours to climb.