21K Half Marathon

The half marathon course (21 km with 420 m of elevation gain) is run clockwise.

• START – km 0 – at the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park, with a climb along Nicolae Pătrașcu Street, heading almost to the summit of Hoia Hill, which dominates the area with its impressive and lofty height of 507 m.
• Km 2 km – you descend sharply to the right onto the steep Alexandru Donici Street, which leads to the well-known Uliului Street.
• Be mindful of possible traffic as you continue downhill toward Bucura Alley via the newly developed Ioan Iacob Street, which ends with a staircase. Extra caution is required here when overtaking other runners to avoid injury! We recommend following the runners ahead of you at a safe distance so you can clearly see where you are stepping.
• Bucura Alley – immerses you in the urban environment and its city traffic. Our volunteers, together with traffic officers, will guide you toward the pedestrian walkway surrounding the Someș River, crossing the busier Donath Street at a pedestrian crossing.
• After only 3 more demanding kilometers, you enter the world of speed—the asphalt-running section. The route follows a 5km clockwise loop, crossing the Someșul Mic River to the opposite bank via the sidewalk of Garibaldi Bridge.
• Km 5.5 – near the Sports Hall, you will find the first aid and refreshment station (PA1). You will return to the pedestrian crossing on Donath Street, where, in addition to following the instructions of traffic officers, you must also be aware of runners in the 10 km race.
• Go up Hoia Hill on a steep climb where only the strongest runners will be able to run, even partially.
• Km 8 –  reach the top of the hill, where volunteers will direct you onto the Via Mariae trail, which runs mostly along the forest edge. You will enjoy continuous views of the surrounding villages and the Gilău Mountains, while also passing through the famous Poiana Rotundă (Round Meadow).
• km 13.3 – you will reach the second aid and refreshment station (PA2), where the route turns back toward the finish line, leaving the Via Mariae trail that would otherwise continue toward Stana. This station is located very close to the Bongard Spring, a water source used by hikers and also adapted for shepherds’ sheep.
• Enter the Mujdai Forest. Pay close attention to the trail markings, as they guide runners around a sheepfold located on the forest’s northern edge toward Baciu. The route remains in the forest until it joins one of the roads leading back to the Ethnographic Park.
• The final kilometers are again fast-paced, following a wide dirt road that is also used by vehicles.
• FINISH – km 21 – at the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park

We hope you will enjoy this course, which offers many challenges characteristic of trail running, road racing, and urban running events alike.