In the Western Carpathian (also known as Apuseni Mountains), legends aren’t born—they’re made, step by step! The first requirement is to show up at the START! Whether you’re running through the Carpathians, or have already felt the power of the Alps, the poetry of the Pyrenees, or the rugged slopes of the Caucasus, you’ll discover that the Apuseni Mountains don’t try to impress with their altitude, but with their natural beauty. We don’t have a mythical Olympus here dominating the horizon—but we do have Muntele Mare (The Big Mountain), a symbol of these places, secluded and powerful, which earns your respect step by step. The Apuseni remain one of Europe’s hidden treasures where trail running has remained unspoiled—technical, varied, and deeply connected to nature! On June 6, we invite you to discover them at your own pace… and at the mountain’s pace.
For the 15th anniversary edition of the .msg Maraton Apuseni, the marathon race supported by .msg Romania and technical partner La Sportiva, returns with a 44.8 km course featuring 2,531 m of elevation gain—a race that isn’t easily read from the elevation profile. It is both technical and runnable, fluid and fragmented, traversing open meadows, forests, isolated hamlets, and the spectacular Scărița-Belioara Nature Reserve, where limestone, steep slopes, and tranquility create a setting impossible to replicate.
Classified as UTMB Index 50K and offering 2 ITRA points, the race is not just a sporting challenge, but a complete experience—a rare balance between performance, nature, and authenticity, the hallmark of “De Apuseni.”
15 Legendary Moments to Run For at .msg Marathon Race!
.msg Apuseni Marathon is a trail with character! Nothing is negotiable; everything is conquered step by step. Those who know the route return with joy, for the experience, the atmosphere, and to reaffirm their marathon spirit. Those making the leap from the half-marathon to the full marathon will discover they’re capable of more than they thought! Those coming from other regions will delight in the varied landscape and the wildness of the isolated hamlets.
Here is a list of moments we consider legendary:
· The dawn start: warming up to playful rhythms, the sound of cowbells, morning dew, a fairytale sunrise, and a descent that tempts you to fly down the trail!
· The Valea Vadului and Zăpodie regions – a transition to another world: After the first few kilometers, you realize you’re not just running in a different mountain range—you’re running in a different mountain culture. Idyllic landscapes, reminiscent of a pastoral past. A cultural experience unique in Europe!
· Circling Muntele Boului, a smart test: This segment is designed to be demanding, to test your mental fortitude, and to ground runners in the reality of the terrain.
· La Răscruci (At the Crossroads) – it’s not just a phrase, it’s an actual point on the route; if you’ve reached it a second time on schedule, it means you’ve managed the race well! In fact, it’s a checkpoint for split times!
· Scărița-Belioara Geo-Botanical Reserve: you’ll enjoy a superb view of the limestone cliffs, where the great Coșu Boului/Coșu Belioarei arch and Groapa Mare stand out.
· Kilometer 22.7 – a semi-legendary moment: Why? Because after Izvorul Belioarei, the real grind begins. If you came in with a “negative split” mindset, this is where you’ll need to rethink it.
· Authentic Apuseni rurality: In Săgagea and Bocșești, you’ll discover places where time moves at a different pace. A parallel world where you feel like getting lost.
· The flow interrupted by junipers at every step: a moment that sometimes comes at just the right time, as it helps you gather your strength.
· The climb to Pietrele Mărunte: 4 km that don’t look impressive on paper, but demand every ounce of strength. Here, the difference is made by your mindset. At the summit, the panoramic view must be savored because the sprint to the finish line follows.
· The finish at Buscat (Șesu Cald): a bucolic atmosphere, applause, local flavors, good music, and happy people!
· Transylvanian goulash: cooked in a cauldron outdoors—runners can’t wait to taste their portion of goulash!
· Encounter with Apuseni folklore: you’ll meet local supporters in traditional dress, hearing the region’s distinctive sayings and legends.
· Earning ITRA points (2 points) and UTMB 50K Index points: important for those with goals for the current year and beyond!
· Earning a medal: a unique moment in the competition’s history as we mark 15 years of mountain running in the Apuseni Mountains.
· Anniversary in the rhythm of the mountains: with the awards ceremony and the runners’ grand raffle, a moment when we celebrate the community and the mountain spirit!
A European Marathon with Its Own Identity – De Apuseni
The marathon within .msg Maraton Apuseni event is an authentic experience in contrast to Europe’s famous trail races—less crowded, less “glamorized,” but infinitely more connected to the reality of the mountains. In the Apuseni Mountains, you’ll find something rare: a living, unpredictable terrain that demands attention, adaptation, and respect. For runners trained in the Alps, Pyrenees, or Tatras, this marathon will be a real surprise. Here, the pace isn’t set—it constantly adapts. The winner is the one who knows how to read the terrain, pace themselves, and navigate efficiently.
Registration here: https://maratonapuseni.ro/en/registrations/
Trail map and details here: https://maratonapuseni.ro/maraton/
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
