Cluj-Napoca set to host strongest international road race in city history

Romania’s second-largest city will stage the most significant international athletics event in its history on Sunday, June 28. This is when the tRUNsylvania International 10K Cluj, powered by Joma, takes over the streets of Cluj-Napoca.

The World Athletics Elite Label race will unfold over a fast four-lap circuit through the city’s historic core before finishing inside Cluj Arena. Both the men’s and women’s races have attracted deep international fields, with athletes from nearly 20 countries scheduled to compete.

The men’s race features six athletes who have broken 28 minutes for 10 kilometres, led by Morocco’s Hicham Amghar. The Moroccan won the event’s sister race in Brașov in 2024, clocking a personal best 27:09 that still stands.

Amghar faces strong opposition from across Europe and Africa. Norway’s Zerei Kbrom Mezngi, silver medallist in the 10,000 metres at the 2022 European Athletics Championships, arrives seeking a qualifying performance for this summer’s continental championships. Italy’s former national marathon and half-marathon record holder Eyob Faniel also has the Birmingham qualification in mind.

Dutch athlete Filmon Tesfu drops down in distance after recently running 2:06:40 at the Rotterdam Marathon, while France’s Mehdi Frère, Spain’s Juan Antonio Pérez and Kenya’s Moses Cheruiyot add further depth to an already competitive field.

Women’s race is loaded with international quality

The women’s race may be even stronger.

Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek and Kenya’s Jackline Chepkoech have joined the elite field in recent weeks, significantly raising the quality of the competition.

Cheptoyek won silver at the World Cross Country Championships earlier this year and owns a superb 30:03 best for 10 kilometres. Chepkoech, the 2021 world U20 champion in the 3000-metre steeplechase, will make her debut over the distance after running 8:57.35 for the barriers event.

European athletes, meanwhile, will be chasing the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships qualifying standard of 32:00, with road performances eligible for selection consideration.

Belgium’s Julie Voet leads the European contingent after recently lowering her best to 31:54. Ireland’s Fiona Everard sits close behind at 31:58, recorded earlier this spring.

Everard’s compatriot Niamh Allen, sixth at last month’s European 10,000m Cup, arrives in strong form, as does France’s Ines Hamoudi following recent personal best performances on both the road and track.

Heat expected to play a role

Organizers are also monitoring unusually warm conditions.

Much of central and western Europe, including Romania, has experienced a prolonged heatwave, and race-day temperatures are expected to reach the mid-20s Celsius by Sunday morning.

“There have been some changes to the start lists of elite races since they were first announced earlier this month,” event organizer Daniel Santa said.

“But the arrival of Joy and Jackline has undoubtedly strengthened the women’s race and reinforces my continued commitment to bring top-class international road racing to Romania and Transylvania.

“The tRUNsylvania International 10K Cluj 2026 is just the first step in establishing a world-class running festival in Cluj.”

Santa said organizers have implemented additional safety measures because of the expected heat.

“Conditions will be far warmer than we would have expected or wanted at this time of year,” he said.

“Consequently, we have taken extra measures to ensure that every runner, whether competing in the elite races or the community events, will be safe. Runners’ health and well-being is our number one priority.”

Festival atmosphere

The tRUNsylvania International 10K Cluj forms part of the inaugural Cluj Running Festival, which runs throughout the June 27-28 weekend.

Alongside the elite men’s and women’s races, the festival includes children’s events ranging from 800 metres to three kilometres, as well as a five-kilometre mass participation race.

The elite races will be streamed live in English through the European Athletics YouTube channel, with Romanian-language coverage available through the event website.

Elite athletes

Men’s Elite Field

Women’s Elite Field