Photo: criticarad.ro
Ultra Zărand Series
Trail and ultra running in Munții Zărandului. Fortresses, monasteries, and the ridges between them.
27 June 2026 · Șoimoș, Arad
Munții Zărandului rise above the Mureș valley in Arad county — beech forest, ridges and heritage landmarks such as Cetatea Șoimoș, Cetatea Șiriei, Schitul Feredeu and Vârful Highiș. The Ultra Zărand Series is organised by Asociația Clubul Sportiv Ultra Până La Capăt (Arad) together with Salvamont Arad, on marked tourist trails and forest roads. Each round publishes its own distances, from short races and hikes to long mountain ultras.
About the series
Mountain commitment, heritage thread
The Ultra Zărand Series combines mountain running with the natural, cultural and historical heritage of Arad county: its routes follow marked tourist trails through Munții Zărandului and pass fortresses, monasteries and summits along the way. The rounds differ a lot in format — check this round's race list, time limits and regulations before you pick a distance.
By the numbers
This round at a glance
Distances, elevation and time limits are set per round — the race cards below show this round's.
- Munții Zărandului · Arad county
- Zărand
Choose your distance
How far on the ridge?
Each round publishes its own lineup. Pick by realistic time on your feet — the Zărand trails are not very technical, but the elevation gain stacks up.
Ultra
- Distance
- Ultra
Distances, elevation and time limits are organiser-published per round. Check the round's regulations on the organiser's page for the final figures.
Aid stations and cut-offs
Where you refuel, where the day ends
Each round's regulations set the aid points, any intermediate time barriers and the final time limit for every distance. Aid points carry a limited range of food and drink, so you are responsible for your own nutrition and hydration between them — and you must carry your own cup or bottle.
Exceeding a time limit announced by the organisers takes you out of the race. Read the round's regulations for the exact points and times.
Mandatory kit
What you carry on the ridge
The series regulations make runners largely self-sufficient: you navigate with the GPX track on your own device and carry water, a cup and (on the ultra) a survival blanket. The list can be extended at the technical briefing depending on the weather.
Race number
MandatoryHanded out in the start kit, together with the route map. Worn visibly for the whole race.
Mountain running shoes
MandatoryFootwear with a sole suited to mountain running.
Charged phone or watch with the GPX track
MandatoryThe track of your race must be loaded on your navigation device and saved in your phone's memory, with a navigation app such as Gaia GPS or Google Earth installed.
At least 0.5 L of water
MandatoryOr another drink, carried in a pack, vest or belt on the longer distances.
Drinking cup or bottle
MandatoryYou drink from your own cup, bottle or flask at the aid points.
Survival blanket (ultra)
MandatoryA foil survival blanket is mandatory on the ultra distance.
Rain and wind jacket
RecommendedRecommended — and one of the items the organisers may make mandatory at the briefing if the forecast turns.
Whistle
RecommendedRecommended, for signalling if you need help on the course.
Trekking poles
RecommendedOptional, useful on the long climbs.
Energy bars / gels and a mini first-aid kit
RecommendedElastic bandage, sterile dressing, plasters and safety pins cover most small problems.
Kit can be checked at the start/finish and at random on the course; missing one or more mandatory items means disqualification. Each round's regulations are binding and may differ from this list.
Heritage and landmarks
What you run past
Promoting the natural, cultural and historical heritage of Arad county is part of the series' concept — the routes link fortresses, monasteries and summits of Munții Zărandului.
Cetatea Șoimoș
Medieval fortress on a hill above the Mureș river near Lipova, a landmark of the Ultra Zărand History route.
Cetatea Șiriei
Ruined fortress above the village of Șiria, looking out over the plain — on the route of the long Zărand ultras.
Schitul Feredeu and Mănăstirea Maria Radna
A forest skete in the Zărand hills and the Maria Radna monastery above the Mureș valley, both passed by the longer routes.
Tabăra Căsoaia and Vârful Highiș
The Căsoaia camp in Târnova commune is the race centre for several rounds; Vârful Highiș (799 m) is the summit many routes climb.
The route
Course map
Courses use marked tourist trails, forest roads and some asphalt sections. You must carry the GPX track of your race on your own device; the map below shows this round's route where available.
Distances
- UltraUltra
Șoimoș, AradShow on map
Who races
Categories
Results are split by distance and gender, with age categories set in each round's regulations. The Ultra Zărand History regulations, for example, rank an Open (top 3) and the age groups 18–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60+ for women and men.
Open (M / F)
Overall classification per distance for women and men.
Age groups (M / F)
Ten-year age bands set in each round's regulations, ranked per distance.
Minimum age
The mountain running races are for runners aged 18 and over; some rounds add a short race or hike open to younger participants — see this round's race list.
Hike
Where a round includes a hike, it is open to all ages and runs without a classification.
Race weekend
Schedule
Start times differ per round and per distance. Check the round's regulations and the organiser's page for the exact programme.
Before the race
- Deadline
Registration closes
Online registration and payment close before race week — the deadline is set in each round's regulations.
Race day
- Per distance
Kit pickup and starts
Start kits are handed out before each start; every distance has its own start time and time limit.
- After the finish
Awards
Podiums per distance for the Open and age categories.
Ultra Zărand Series
Ultra Zărand Series
Rounds of the Ultra Zărand Series listed on Competi.ro. Each round publishes its own distances, regulations and registration.
Round 1
This round01Ultra Zărand Series
· Șoimoș
Round 2
Done02Ultra Zărand Căsoaia
· Cășoaia, Jud. Arad
Round 3
Upcoming03Ultra Zărand Everesting+
· Tabăra Căsoaia (Comuna Târnova)
FAQ
Trail and ultra running on the Zărand
Who organises the Ultra Zărand Series?
Asociația Clubul Sportiv Ultra Până La Capăt, a non-profit club based in Arad, in collaboration with Salvamont Arad.
What distances can I run?
It depends on the round — the series ranges from short races and hikes to long mountain ultras and multi-lap challenges. The race cards on this page list this round's distances, elevation and time limits.
What kit is mandatory?
Mountain running shoes, a charged phone or watch with your race's GPX track loaded (and saved on the phone with an app such as Gaia GPS or Google Earth), at least 0.5 L of water, a drinking cup, the race number and route map from the start kit, plus a survival blanket on the ultra. Missing mandatory kit means disqualification.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes — 18 for the mountain running races. Where a round includes a short race or a hike for younger participants, it is listed in the race cards with its own age rules.
How much does it cost?
Fees are set per round and per distance; this round's fees are shown in the event details. Some rounds offer a reduced fee for minors on the short race or hike.
What if I withdraw or the race is cancelled?
Under the series regulations the entry fee is not refunded if you withdraw. If the organisers have to cancel for force majeure, the fee is not refunded and a new date is set. Check this round's regulations for the details.
How do I register?
Online, through the organiser's registration form linked from the Register button. Each round sets its own registration deadline.
Pack the kit. Track the ridge.
Read this round's regulations before you travel — distances, time limits, mandatory kit and the programme. The Zărand range is honest mountain country, and the technical briefing is not a suggestion.