Rules and Regulation

Cluj Connect Run | Garmin is a trail running sports competition organized by Clubul Alpin Român Filiala Cluj. The competition consists of 4 races: the half-marathon (21 km total length), the cross (10 km total length),  the popular race (5 km total length) and the family race (roughly 2 km total length).

All the races go through public roads, forest pathways, or trails which will be adequately marked by the organizers. The start and finish will take place in the area of the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Museum, in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj county.

Participation

The competition is open to individuals who are at least 14 years old and medically fit to participate in this type of event, as confirmed by the affidavit signed during registration.

To participate in the half-marathon race , individuals who are 16 years or older may only participate with a race companion and must provide a notarized consent form from both parents or their legal guardian approving their participation. Additionally, a doctor’s certificate, issued within 72 hours prior to the event, confirming their fitness for physical exertion in mountain running half-marathons races is required. For registration of participants aged 16 to 17, please email contact@clujconnectrun.ro.

To participate in the 10k and 5k race , individuals who are 14 years or older may only participate with a race companion and must provide a notarized consent form from both parents or their legal guardian approving their participation. Additionally, a doctor’s certificate, issued within 72 hours prior to the event, confirming their fitness for physical exertion in mountain running cros races is required. For registration of participants aged 14 to 18, please email contact@clujconnectrun.ro.

For the family race, minors under 15 must be registered by their legal guardian (parent or another individual). If the legal guardian is not the parent, additional documentation proving their legal responsibility for the minor is required, either in the form of an official document or a handwritten statement signed on the day of the race.

***Registering for any race with an incorrect age will result in disqualification from the competition!

Each participant must sign the participation registry and submit an affidavit confirming that they have been informed of the competition regulations, understand them, and accept any potential risks associated with participating in the Cluj Connect Run | Garmin. As a trail running competition, the organizers can only partially control any issues that may arise along the trails. Therefore, participants must demonstrate a high level of caution, including proper training, performance, and the necessary equipment for trail running. This process will take place on the day the participant picks up their official race kit.

The organizers reserve the right to prevent any individual from starting or continuing the race if they believe the person is unfit to participate. Reasons for this may include, but are not limited to: use of drugs or other psychoactive substances, visible signs of poor health, physical or mental exhaustion, or inadequate equipment.

Categories & races

Awards will only be given for races with a minimum of 5 participants. If a race has fewer than 5 registrations, it will be merged with the category below it.

Race times will be measured in seconds by the referees at the finish line. The participant who completes the entire race in the shortest time from Start to Finish will be declared the winner.

Equipment

Participants must ensure that their unique competition number is clearly visible on their shirt throughout the entire competition.

Recommended equipment includes, but is not limited to: running shoes, raincoat, water bottle, energy bars or gels, mobile phone, trekking poles and a GPS device.

HALF MARATHON and CROSS compulsory equipment:

1. trail running shoes
2. track map / GPS device
3. water recipient
4. mobile telephone
5. windproof jacket

Please note we will not provide plastic glasses / cups at refreshment posts. You have to carry your own.

Registration and validation

Registration for the competition can only be done by filling the form on the website of the marathon in the REGISTRATIONS page.

After filling in the form, the participant will receive a confirmation email. The sign-up is only valid after the payment confirmation. Each participant has to pay a certain fee for the race they want to compete in, listed beforehand on this website.

Each participant will pay a certain fee depending on the date they are registering, and the date they will make the payment.

Participation fees in 2026

Race fees can be seen here

Registration number of participants limits

• Half Marathon: 700
• Cross 10k: 400
• 5K Run: 400
• Family: 500

Pay by debit/credit card

Through Mobilpay, until October 10, 2026. Follow the payment instructions that appear right after you have filled in the form. If you want to delay the payment, use the link from the email confirmation.

At the 1^st edition of Cluj Connect Run | Garmin prizes in cash and products will be offered:

• OPEN HALF MARATHON: first 3 male and first 3 female runners
• OPEN CROSS 10k and 5K: first 3 male and first 3 female runners
• FAMILY: first 3 winners (boys and girls) at every age group
• AGE GROUPS: first 3 male and female / age group / half-marathon race

Race kit

To participate for any of the races in the competition, each runner will sign a declaration of consent.

Race kit pick-up will be done at a location established and communicated by the organizer, as well as in the expo area, according to the public schedule.

To get the race kit, the participant must show their identification (passport, national ID card, or other photo identification), will sign the participation sheet (therefore confirming their personal information and the race they will compete in), and give the declaration of consent, which includes consent regarding the rules of the competition, and acknowledgment of any potential risks.

Race kits and prizes can be picked up by somebody else than the runner, only during the event days. No prizes / race kits will be sent to participants after the event has ended.

Cancelling registration / switching the race

• If for a valid reason, a person wishes to annul their registration, they can send a request to contact[at]clujconnectrun.ro. In the case of withdrawal, the participation fee CANNOT BE REIMBURSED, but the race kit can be given to another participant. We encourage those who can no longer participate in the competition to find a replacement runner and to announce this change through an email to contact@clujconnectrun.ro until October 1, 2026. The registration transfer is a manual process and requires a 50 RON fee/registration.
• If a participant wants to change the race they signed up for, they can do so through a request sent at contact@clujconnectrun.ro  until October 1, 2026, and paying a 50 RON fee.

Start & control/alimentation posts

The start of the competition will take place on October 11, 2026, as follows:

• Half marathon – 8:45 AM
• 10 k Cross – 09:00 AM
• 5k Run – 9:15 AM
• Family race – 12:00 (noon)

Throughout the course, there will be various control and aid stations, where participants can find energy drinks, water, fruits, glucose. These posts will be marked and clearly visible.

Technical meeting & time limits

There will be three technical meetings: on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 08:25 for the half marathon, at 08:50 for the 10km, and at 09:05 for the 5km. 

The time limit for completing the half marathon is 5 hours

The time limit for completing the 10 k cross is 3 hours

The time limit for completing the 5 k cross is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The time limit for completing the family race is TBA.

Disqualification / race withdrawal

Organizers reserve the right to disqualify or withdraw from the competition any racer who violates official regulations, or in case of the following situations:

• losing the unique competition number;
• missing a control post;
• deviating from the established course, using shortcuts;
• using any means of transportation during the race;
• leaving the equipment on the course or littering (any trash or waste can be left at the control and alimentation points);
• unsportsmanlike behavior toward other races, lack of respect towards officials, organizers, local citizens, etc.;
• exceeding the time limits;

• exceptional instances.

Abandonment

If the participant decides to quit the race, they must announce their intentions to the nearest control posts and follow the instructions given by the organizers. Continuing the race can be done on their own volition – the organizers cannot guarantee the same standards for course, and the racer is officially outside of the competition.

During the competition, the public road circulation will be just partially restricted, on specific segments, and because of this, it is possible during some portions of the course to encounter vehicles. This means participants have the responsibility to uphold the traffic laws imposed by law.

There will be an emergency first aid point that will offer specialized medical help if necessary.

Organizers are not responsible for any accidents occurring as a result of the Cluj Connect Run | Garmin participation and reserve the right to modify or adjust the course to accommodate weather conditions or state of the terrain, or even stop the race in exceptional cases. Any course modification will the signaled and communicated to the participants during the last technical meeting at the latest.

Under extreme circumstances (any event that could jeopardize the competition such as floods, natural disasters, or major political events) that could determine the annulment of the competition, the participation fee will not be returned.