Bucharest Half Marathon 2026 takes place on May 9-10, with 21K, relay, 10K, Fun Race and Walkathon events in the Romanian capital.
The event includes several race formats: the 21K Half Marathon, Relay 3x, the 10K Race, the 2.5K Fun Race and the 1K Walkathon. The competition is organised by Bucharest Running Club under the #RunInBucharest brand and brings together runners, supporters, volunteers and visitors in the centre of Bucharest.
The 2026 edition takes place around Constitution Square, one of the city’s most recognisable urban spaces and a frequent starting point for major public events in Bucharest.
Saturday, May 9, is dedicated to the shorter and more accessible race formats of the Bucharest Half Marathon weekend.
The 10K Race starts at 09:00, after the 10K wheelchair start scheduled at 08:45. The programme continues with the 2.5K Fun Race, with the wheelchair start at 11:45 and the general Fun Race start at 12:00.
The 1K Walkathon is also scheduled for Saturday, with the wheelchair start at 13:15 and the general start at 13:30.
Race kit pick-up for participants arriving in Bucharest on race day is available according to the official schedule: 07:30-08:30 for the 10K Race, 10:30-11:30 for the 2.5K Fun Race and 12:00-13:00 for the 1K Walkathon.
Sunday, May 10, is dedicated to the main races of the OMV Petrom Bucharest HALF MARATHON 2026.
The 21K Half Marathon and Relay 3x start at 09:00. The official distance for the half marathon is 21.097 km, and the time limit is 3 hours from the official start. Runners who finish after this time are not included in the official standings, and roads are reopened to traffic after the cut-off time.
The half marathon cut-off time is scheduled for 12:00, and the official end of the OMV Petrom Bucharest Half Marathon 2026 is scheduled for 12:30.
The OMV Petrom Bucharest HALF MARATHON 2026 also includes wheelchair races.
On Saturday, May 9, the 10K wheelchair race starts at 08:45. The 2.5K Fun Race wheelchair start is scheduled for 11:45, followed by the 1K Walkathon wheelchair start at 13:15.
These races are part of the wider event programme and make the Bucharest Half Marathon weekend more inclusive for participants with different abilities.
Bucharest Running Club, the organiser of the event, announces several important details for all participants:
- The OMV Petrom Bucharest HALF MARATHON 2026 takes place on May 9-10, 2026.
- Sport Expo is located in Constitution Square, in the parking lot area.
- Race kits are picked up from Constitution Square according to the official event schedule.
- Race kit pick-up is available on Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8, between 16:00 and 20:00.
- On Saturday, May 9, race-day kit pick-up windows are available for the 10K Race, Fun Race, Walkathon, 21K Race and Relay, according to the official schedule.
- On Sunday, May 10, race-day kit pick-up is available between 07:30 and 08:30 only for participants who arrive in Bucharest on race day and can prove this.
- There are no new registrations on the day of the competitions for the 21K, 10K and Relay races.
- The 21K Race is open to participants aged 18 and over.
- The 21K circuit is fully paved, marked at every kilometre and certified by AIMS and World Athletics.
- The timing service is provided for competitive races, and the results are posted on the official event website.
- 21.097 km for the Half Marathon
- 10 km for the 10K Race
- 2.5 km for the Fun Race
- 1 km for the Walkathon
- 3 runners per team for the Relay 3x race
- The 21K route is fully paved
- The 21K route is marked at every kilometre
- The 21K circuit is certified by AIMS and World Athletics
- The routes are organised in central Bucharest, with Constitution Square as the main event area
According to the official race information, refreshment points for the 21K race follow IAAF and AIMS regulations.
Hydration points are placed approximately every 5 km, including around the 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km marks and at the finish. Participants are asked to throw bottles and plastic cups only in the designated areas near hydration points, to support cleaning operations after the runners pass.
Glass or metal containers are not permitted during the race.
The OMV Petrom Bucharest HALF MARATHON 2026 includes waste collection rules for participants along the route.
Runners are asked to use the designated areas near hydration points for bottles and cups, so that the route can be cleaned more efficiently. This is especially important because roads are reopened to traffic after the official time limits.
Participants should avoid throwing bottles, cups or packaging outside the marked collection areas.
As with major street running events in Bucharest, the OMV Petrom Bucharest HALF MARATHON 2026 involves traffic restrictions, route security and medical support during the races.
Runners must follow the instructions of organisers, volunteers, referees and public authorities along the route. After the official time limits expire, roads are reopened to traffic and the organiser no longer guarantees participant safety on the race course.
Visitors and drivers should expect temporary traffic restrictions in central Bucharest during the race weekend, especially on Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
The routes for all races and the official maps are available on the event website.
OMV Petrom Bucharest HALF MARATHON is a #RunInBucharest brand event organised by Bucharest Running Club. The event is connected to the international road running calendar through AIMS and World Athletics certification.
RunInBucharest is the organiser of some of the biggest street running competitions in Romania.
Since 2008, Bucharest has been included in the international circuit of marathons and road running events, joining other European capitals that host annual running competitions. RunInBucharest events are associated with AIMS and World Athletics standards and bring together athletes, amateur runners, volunteers, partner causes and spectators.
The organisation has also developed a model that connects running events with social, humanitarian and ecological causes. For many participants, the Bucharest Half Marathon is not only a sporting competition, but also a way to support charities and community initiatives.
RunInBucharest is the organizer of the biggest street running competitions in Romania. Since 2008, Bucharest has been included in the international circuit of marathons, joining the other European capitals that annually host such competitions. All #RunInBucharest competitions are accredited and entered in the international calendar of AIMS (International Association of Marathons and Half Marathons) and World Athletics (International Athletics Federation). RunInBucharest has developed the model of associating running competitions with a social, humanitarian or ecological cause in Romania. Currently, there are over 30 partner causes of the events.
Public Transport
Bucharest has the largest public transport network in Romania and among the largest public transport networks in Europe, as it serves more than 2 million inhabitants.
The public transport system in Bucharest is composed of the 77 km metro system and the surface transport network - buses (120 lines), trolleybuses (15 lines) and trams (24 lines).
Several express bus lines connect the airport to Bucharest’s city center. It’s slower than going by taxi, but it’s certainly the best option for those travelling on a budget. Express line 780 takes you to Gara de Nord, the main railway station. Line 783 goes to Unirii Square in the city centre with an approximate journey time of 40 – 60 minutes. Tickets are not available on the bus, so make sure you buy them at the booths just outside of the terminal buildings.
Taxis & Ridesharing
Ride-sharing apps like Uber, Bolt and Yango are well-established in Bucharest and represent a good alternative to taxis.
You can read more about public transport in Bucharest here.
Also, there are a lot of possibilities for e-mobility transport. From CityLink to Lime, you have many options to choose from. Read more about e-mobility options in Bucharest here.
Bucharest is a budget-friendly destination, with lots of affordable options. Many of the major international hotel chains have establishments in Bucharest, but there are plenty of independent, cheaper options, from hostels to pensions.
Before booking, be sure to read up on the accommodation’s policy. For a better experience, pay attention to the following:
- Adding an extra guest to your accommodation may result in additional costs. Be sure to know the final number of people staying before you confirm your booking.
- For smooth travel, be aware of your accommodation’s check-in and check-out policies.
- Room prices may vary depending on city/VAT taxes. Extra bedding, towels, accommodation activities and facilities may also occur additional costs.
- Double-check if your accommodation properties accept credit cards, require a deposit or an upfront payment.
The prices for Bucharest accommodation are (prices depend on the period in which the reservation is made, the number of days in advance, the events that take place) :
- Hostels: from €7 / night
- Hotels: from €40 / night
- Apartments: from €30 / night
- Luxury hotels: from €190 / night
Depending on your preferences, you will find accommodation in Bucharest for all pockets and for all tastes. Whether you want to stay near the airport or the stadium, or maybe you want to stay in the city center to enjoy the nightlife of Bucharest, you will find hotels that meet your needs. Just make the bookings in advance!
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6:10 am,
June 7, 2026
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