The 2026 Garmin Cross within the 15th anniversary edition of .msg Apuseni Marathon celebrates a unique partnership between a global brand and a local community, with a strong identity. Trail running is one of the purest froms of joy! Once you start you will come back to the mountains, again and again!
That is why June 6, 2026 can turn into a special day! It can be your gateway to a new life, dressed in technical gear by La Sportiva and encouraged by the entire Garmin community. 10 km with a mild 500 m D+ are perfectly doable, you just need to start!
15 Reasons to Sign-Up In The Garmin Cross Race!
Since we celebrate the 15th edition of the event, we took the chance and counted 15 reasons we think you should sign-up for the Garmin Cross:
- It may be only 10K. But it feels bigger. – Short enough to try. Real enough to make a difference.
- The +500 m elevation gain is just perfect. A little challenge to keep you blood moving, but not that unsrupassable, so you do not feel the dopamine of success!
- Yes, you actually can walk. Andy oi should, when you feel it keep you going. Trail running is simply about moving forward, in tune with Nature.
- Learning happens really fast. Dring a mild 10 km run, your body learns how to respond to the effort, your brain aknowledges the terrain. Your knees will thank you.
- The start is swift. There is no brutal climb at the beginning. You enter in a fair race.
- The forest becomes your shelter: Along this course, you will pass by a forest and you will feel the shade, the fresh fragrances. You will get more focused as you run.
- Valea Vadului resets your rhythm: You will have to start approaching Crucea Crencii in a different way.
- The “thinking mile” is real: between Valea Vadului to Crucea Crencii you will meet your mind and you will have to drag your soul as well. Just keep going.
- Good pace belongs to those who master patience: the climb to Stăuina Runcani will be a challenge. Patience is key here. Running is strategy.
- All in for the uphill: This is why trail runners love mountains. When you think youțve done climbing, there is just one more climb! This time tp Pietrele Mărunte!
- The panorama at Pietrele Mărunte: It worth it! Simply enjoy the view over Apuseni Mountains and the region. Take a deep breath and continue! You have just learned to trust effort.
- The final descent: from Pietrele Mărunte youwill simply let your legsfollow the trail. You enter the state of flow.
- The joy at the finish line: This is a tricky one! It will be such a glorious moment that you will want to last forever!
- The Transylvanian gulyas: a delicious protion of gulaș will be served together with all the runners! This will make you feel part of a new family, that you have just dicsovered!
- The festivities: The awards ceremony and the super raffle supported by Garmin and other partners will be so playfull, that will already think about the next edition!
This year, all runners get the chance to win one of the two Instinct 3 Amoled or two Fenix 8 Pro smartwatches!
This Is The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship
In such an authentic and friendly atmosphere, people rediscover themselves. Romania is special, but Apusen Mountains are unique. You cannot understand it untill you feel it. In Western Carpathians trail running is still raw, real, and personal.
The Garmin 10K Cross at .msg Maraton Apuseni is not just a race. It’s where it begins. Sign up. Show up. Start your trail running story.
Registration here: https://maratonapuseni.ro/en/registrations/
Trail map and details here: https://maratonapuseni.ro/en/cross/
We thank on the occasion to all our partners who make this race possible:
- Main title partner – msg Romania
- Technical partner – La Sportiva
- Race partners – Banca Transilvania, Garmin, Gerovital – Farmec
- Location partners – Buscat Ski & Summer Resort
- Specialized partners – Zumont, Mountex, AlpinExpe, Adrenalin Park, World Class,
- Hydration partners: Ursus Cooler
- Nutrition partners: Pro Nutrition
- Tourist partner: Christian Tour
- Partners: Elf’st marketing & investment, Transylvania Mountain Festival, Black Wolf
- Institutional partners: Consiliul Județean Cluj, Consiliul Județean Alba, Salvamont Cluj, Salvamont Alba, Jandarmeria Cluj, Jandarmeria Alba
- Media partners: Rock FM, Radio Cluj, Cluj.com
