Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB
Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB – RADICAL
Câmpulung Moldovenesc → Campulung Moldovenesc
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
RADICAL is the shortest distance at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, a 20 km loop from and back to Campulung Moldovenesc with 996 m of climbing. Do not be fooled by the modest distance: at close to 50 m of gain per kilometre, this is a genuinely hilly short course that packs a real Carpathian climb into a runnable, single-loop format. It is the ideal entry point to the Bucovina series, a fast day out that still demands respect on the ascents and descents. With one main climb near the start and rolling high ground before the drop back to town, RADICAL rewards runners who can push a hard, sustained effort without the multi-summit attrition of the longer races on the programme.
The Course and Terrain
RADICAL starts and finishes in Campulung Moldovenesc at 646 m. The route climbs early to Runc at 4 km, where it reaches 1,033 m, the day's high point being 1,077 m on this upper section. From there it undulates across the high ground through Prasca at 8 km (975 m) before a long, gradual descent to Bodea at 16.5 km (808 m) and the run back down to the finish in town. With 996 m of gain over 20 km, the climbing is front-loaded: the first four kilometres do the heavy lifting, gaining nearly 400 m to Runc, after which the course stays high before giving it all back on the way home. Expect trail and forest paths typical of the range, with the steepest and most technical ground on the opening climb and the descent off the high ground toward Bodea and the finish.
Where the Race Is Won and Lost
For a 20 km race the decisive move comes early. The climb from the 646 m start to Runc at 1,033 m by 4 km, a gain of nearly 400 m in the opening kilometres, sets up the whole day. Runners who go out too hard here will feel it across the high traverse; those who climb strongly but controlled arrive on the tops with the legs to run the rolling middle section fast. The second half is about carrying speed. Once past Runc and Prasca at 8 km (975 m), the course trends downhill through Bodea at 16.5 km (808 m) to the finish. This long descent is where a strong, confident downhill runner can make up real time, but it also punishes quads that were emptied on the opening climb. Hold enough back on the way up to attack the drop home, and you will finish well; blow the early climb and the descent becomes damage control.
How to Pace and Fuel It
RADICAL is a single-cut-off race: the finish back in Campulung Moldovenesc closes Saturday 16:00. For most runners the clock is not the constraint; the challenge is pacing your own effort over a short, sharp course. The smart approach is to treat the opening Runc climb as a controlled hard effort rather than a sprint, then commit to running the high traverse and the long descent to Bodea at full tilt. Given the distance, fuelling is simple compared with the longer Bucovina races. Carry water and a couple of gels or snacks and take them on the climb and across the tops so you are not fading on the descent. With the start and finish both in town at 646 m and no crew points listed on the loop, plan to run self-supported and start properly fuelled and hydrated. This is a race to run aggressively within your limits rather than one to survive.
Conditions to Expect
RADICAL tops out around 1,077 m and never drops below the 646 m of the valley town, so the range of exposure is far smaller than on the longer Bucovina distances. Even so, the high traverse between Runc and Prasca can catch wind and cooler air, and Carpathian weather can shift quickly, so a light packable layer is a sensible carry for a mountain trail race even over this distance. The footing is standard Carpathian trail and forest path, with the most technical ground on the opening climb and the descent toward Bodea. Because the loop is short and likely run in daylight, navigation and lighting are not concerns, letting you focus entirely on effort. Expect firm, runnable trail in dry conditions that can become slick and slower if it has rained, particularly on the steeper descents where confident footwork will save both time and energy.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 646 m · —
4 km · 1033 m · —
8 km · 975 m · —
16.5 km · 808 m · —
20 km · 646 m · Sat 16:00
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