A Promise Kept: Returning to the Transylvania Ultra 100k (10th Anniversary Edition Recap)

This blog is a reflection on what I promised my friends they would be getting if they joined me for the 10th anniversary edition of the Transylvania Ultra 100k.

A Rising Giant in European Trail Running

The Transylvania 100k is more than just a race, it’s a mountain journey through one of the most legendary landscapes in Europe. Set in the shadow of Dracula’s Castle in the Bucegi Mountains of Romania, this event was founded by a group of passionate mountain runners and adventurers who wanted to share the raw beauty and rugged terrain of Transylvania with the world. Their love for the Carpathians is clear in every twist of the route, every aid station, and every carefully considered detail.

The event offers five distances:

• 20k: A fast, sharp bite of mountain running.
• 30k: Adds a bit more technical terrain to test your trail legs.
• 50k: A mountain marathon-plus, with serious elevation and adventure.
• 80k: A real test of stamina and spirit.
• 100k: The crown jewel, an ultra with over 6,500m of elevation gain, technical sections, and all the variables the mountains can throw at you.

It’s a race built by mountain lovers, for mountain lovers and it shows.

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A Promise to Return

I first ran the Transylvania 50k back in 2017, pairing it with a sightseeing trip with my wife. We soaked up the culture, the hospitality, and the dramatic landscapes of Romania. I remember being on that course and telling myself I’d be back one day to take on the 100k. That promise lingered in the background for years, and finally this year it was time to see it through.

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Why This Race?

There are countless ultras out there, but Transylvania 100k stood out. A friend had spoken highly of it, especially the warm local hospitality and affordability. The race entry, the food, the travel, it’s all very reasonable, especially compared to some big-name events. But it’s not just the price tag. The people in Romania are genuinely warm, kind, and helpful, and that atmosphere feeds into the whole race weekend. This felt like an adventure, not just a race. Our host Juan looked after us the whole weekend and couldn’t do enough for us. He was quick to offer suggestions for food and places to visit, along with if we needed a lift into town and after the race his wife washed all our dirty running gear and dried them ready for the flight home in the morning. Great host and the cheeky shots of home made Polinka went down well too!

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Anatomy of the Beast: Breaking Down the 100k

This course demands total body preparedness, and success comes from being well-rounded across multiple challenges:

Long, Steep Climbs

We’re talking extended, quad-busting ascents that can chew you up if you’re not “hill fit.” You need more than fitness, you need muscular endurance built from time in the hills. Power hiking with intent is key.

Technical Downhills

It’s not enough to survive the climbs, you’ve got to be able to descend with control and speed. My legs had enough left in them to run the downs, even the slippery technical ones toward the end, but I lacked the confidence to really attack. That hesitation comes from needing more leg strength and technical practice, things I’ll work on for future races.

Dark Forest Sections to Navigate

There’s something eerie and magical about flying through dense forests as night falls. But you need to be sure of your navigation. I ran mostly by GPX route, which worked well, but the terrain and light make it essential to be confident and adaptable. The night time also makes every other boulder, tree stump or shape look like a bear! There was a moment as the rain was pouring down I was convince there was a bear in the woods, just at that point a large section of the path wall gave way and I yelled with fright….. It was just a minor soil slip as it had been raining all night, still get the adrenaline pumping and heart racing….. I laugh about it now…..

Energy & Temperature Management

This is where things got tricky. The day started warm, spring sunshine baking the climbs, but the rain rolled in by evening and didn’t stop. My mistake? I’d packed warm, waterproof gear in my drop bag but didn’t swap it out because I “felt fine” at the time. Classic error and of course I felt warm, it was mid-afternoon! I should’ve known better. A quick gear change then would’ve paid dividends through the cold, wet night that followed.

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Takeaways and Lessons Learned

• Climbing Strength = Time Gained
  Your ability to climb efficiently and without rest makes a massive difference. I was reminded how much time can be lost or gained simply based on your ability to keep moving uphill without breaks.
• Leg Strength for Confident Descents
  My legs were capable, but I lacked the confidence to go fast on sketchy terrain. I’ll be doubling down on downhill reps and strength training going forward.
• Gear Changes Matter
  This was a tough reminder, prepare for the worst, not just the moment. I had the right gear, but left it unused in my drop bag. That’s a lesson I won’t forget anytime soon.
• Nutrition Was Solid
  Energy levels stayed relatively stable. I kept things simple and consistent, and that worked well this time around.

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A Race Worth Waiting For

This race was a long time coming. It’s one I’d promised myself I’d return to and honestly, it might have been one of my biggest regrets if I’d never followed through. Now it’s ticked off the list, and while I could’ve been better prepared, I’m proud I showed up, stayed present, and absorbed everything the experience had to teach me. We all finished as we started (together), I’d caught the guys up at the final big checkpoint and they waiting until I was ready to head out together. We rolled over the finish line with a time of 30 hours 7 minutes, so with a “comfortable” 53 minutes spare. Job done, but plenty of room for improvement by all of us.

The Transylvania 100k is no joke. It’s an adventure, a challenge, and a masterclass in mountain ultra running. It’s reminded me to keep training for the full spectrum, climbs, descents, weather, and mindset. And it’s rekindled that fire for big mountain days, gritty races, and learning the hard way.

Until next time, Romania.

How much did it cost?

How long?

5 full days away and 4 nights stay in Romania, we travelled out Thursday, Spent Friday sightseeing and getting checked into the race, Saturday 100k started at 5am, Sunday Finish and relax, before travelling back Monday. be definitely worth adding an extra day at the end if you’re running the 100k, or an extra day before to see more of this fantastic country.

Race Entry Requirements?

Entries are conditional, for each race, on previous race experience, as follows:
– for 100k – have completed a minimum 60 km trail run (+2000m);
– for 80k – have completed a minimum 40 km trail run (+1000m);
– for 50k and 30k – have completed a minimum 20 km trail run (+500m);
– for 20k – experience is not required.

So for our evidence of completing a 60km trail run with +2,000m of elevation gain, we basically setup a training run with the relevant distance and climb (with a little extra to be sure) and submitted that. so no race evidence required. the trail route needs ideally to be in the mountains and we chose the Peak District for our training run see Strava activity link below

Edale loops with the dream team!

Aid Stations, frequency, food & drink available and how helpful volunteers were

Aid stations were well stocked, although they wasn’t warm or heated. most were open to the elements apart from the second to last CP that was in an old school with no heating on. This would’ve been fine if I hadn’t already been soaked and cold from the rain-soaked night. Ultimately it’s not the race organisers job to keep me warm, I should have had my warmer gear with me! Volunteer’s couldn’t do enough for us, even one lady just as I was leaving I need an elastic band for my waterproof’s to keep them tight to my ankles and she didn’t hesitate and gave me her scrunchy from her hair.

Navigation & Markings of the event

The marking were pretty good, not quite to the same standard as UTMB or Centurion races in the UK, but they were adequate. I’d used my GPS for reassurance, but the route was pretty straight forward, apart from some small diversions within some woods were the bridge was out or some works were being carried out.

Race Atmosphere and camaraderie

The hype was there from the start, unfortunately for me I was hanging on to the back quite a bit, So I was on my own for a lot of the race. I’d asked Mark and Nick to push on as I didn’t want to ruin their chances of finishing the race waiting for me, as there was a fair amount of doubt getting this done with the training I’d completed leading up to the race. Plenty of photographers about and a great point to note, all the photo’s are free and posted to the Facebook page. Plenty of cow bells and whooping from supporters and random villagers throughout the race to keep the spirits high!

Quick Recap

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Maybe with stronger quads next time.

Distance: 100km / 6,500m+

Time away: 5 days / 4 nights

Gear tip: Bring your warm/wet weather gear with you, not just in the drop bag.

Navigation: GPS helpful but route mostly well-marked.

Best bit: The atmosphere, scenery, and personal sense of fulfilment.