The Brașov Running Festival concluded with Ethiopian runners Asefu Abreha and Khairi Bejiga clinching victory in the prestigious elite races. The next festival is scheduled for October 2-3, 2027, with registration now open for running enthusiasts.
This year’s festival featured two spectacular days of races for all skill levels, culminating in the elite competitions on Sunday, aimed at establishing Brașov as a key location on the global running map.
Despite chilly weather predictions, runners and spectators alike were undeterred. The sunny weather in Brașov added to the festive atmosphere, as participants accumulated kilometers at the performance-focused district of Coresi.
Ethiopia Claims Dominance
The opening elite race, the tRUNsylvania International 10K for women, showcased some of the top names in global athletics, with an Ethiopian sweep on the podium.
Asefu Abreha, just 20 years old, crossed the finish line first in a time of 30 minutes and 16 seconds. Although victorious, she fell short of the course record of 30:07 set by Sheila Chepkirui in 2022.
Following Abreha were fellow Ethiopians Aynadis Mebratu, who finished second with a time of 30:19, and Yenenesh Shimket in third place at 30:21. Notably, Shimket established the world’s best performance for the year in the U20 category for the 10K road distance.
Khairi Bejiga Reigns Supreme in Men’s Race
In the men’s race, Khairi Bejiga also upheld Ethiopian dominance. Having previously achieved a remarkable performance at just 19 years old in 2025 with a time of 26:54, Bejiga returned in 2026 to further prove his talents. He improved his personal best to 26:51 earlier this season, winning races in Valencia and Lille.
At Brașov, he secured victory with a time of 27:01, closely followed by compatriot Kinde Nibret at 27:02 and Tadese Ayele in third with 27:10, completing another all-Ethiopian podium.
Challenging Course for Elite Runners
Participants included renowned athletes who, on paper, seemed poised to dominate. However, the Brașov course proved challenging, with Kenyan runner Silas Senchura, who had a personal best of 26:58 and a bronze medal from the African Championships, finishing in 10th place.
Another Kenyan, Laban Kosgei, improved his personal best to 26:59 in 2026 but finished in sixth place with a time of 27:21.
French Runner Sets Dual Records
Among noteworthy stories, French runner Meziane Benhammou achieved a historic double at the tRUNsylvania 10K. With a time of 28:39, he set both the European U18 record for the 10K road and the French national record for the U20 category.
This achievement solidifies Brașov’s reputation as a significant venue for young athletes to make their mark in athletics.
In a race dominated by African runners, the best Romanian result was achieved by Alexandru Soare, who clocked in at 29:14, placing 22nd among 26 competitors in the elite men’s race.
Celebrating Running in Brașov
For two days, the Coresi district served as the hub of the festival, welcoming runners of all levels alongside athletes from some of the world’s top athletics schools.
In the 3K Kids race, the fastest boy was Albert Hunor (10:05), while Ecaterina Timofeeva was the top girl, finishing 5th overall at 10:40. In the 5K Open, Andrei Halapciuc secured first place (15:11), and Nicolae Coman won the 10K with a time of 31:56.
The elite race, certified with the World Athletics Elite Label, remained the highlight of the Brașov Running Festival, with the next edition scheduled for October 2-3, 2027.
