Marathon Piatra Craiului

Marathon Piatra Craiului 2011 - Second Encounter

2011-10-21T01:44:00.000-07:00

by Radu Milea

Before I start this post about this year`s edition of Marathon Piatra Craiului, I belive it`s better to go back 1 year, and read about the ground stone for everything I have done this year. It changed me not only as a runner but also as a person!
So, after last years MPC I was very excited about running marathons again. What I did all year was for this ultimate goal. A lot of training and preparations in order to get better and better.
I was nervous and very excited about the race for the last 2 weeks. It was the only thing on my mind!A lot of questions, ideas, emotions kept me a lot of nights from sleeping.
The night before the race was better than I expected, because I could sleep until 4 in the morning. We went to the starting area early. I got my place in front of the starting line. So there I was, back again where it all began.

This time I knew it won`t be like last time. I have more experience and I am better prepared, both mind and body are ready for the challenge. I met with a lot of friends in the start area and after some small talk with my friend Balan, the organizers started counting: 10, 9, 8, 7....1, START!
I started fast and was in the first groups. I knew that I have to keep it up!The only problem was that I was feeling heavy, my feet were not responding very good to this speed but I pushed myself until the first CP at "La Table".

There I took a gel and drank some water and everything went ok after that. I need to thank Flori for her help with refilling my water bottle.
On the climb to "Saua Funduri" I was alone for most of the time. I knew that I can climb very good and so I did. Before the race I told Daniel that I can reach "Saua Funduri" in less than 2h. I was very happy to see my time: 1:58:57.
I knew that my weak spot is the steep downhill from "Saua Funduri" to "Marele Grohotis". On this steep downhill I was passed by Zsolt Kovacs and George Robu and in my back was Gica! When I saw him, I started running as fast as I could but in my back I heard someone running very fast, and to my surprise, it was my friend Andrei Tale!In my mind I thought that if Andrei is in my back and George passed me then I`m not doing a good race. So from that moment I started running even faster. Cosmin and Bulgaru were waiting for me before "Spirlea". I changed the water bottle and drank some RedBull and I was on my way.Thank you guys for the great support and for the nice pictures!
I never looked back from that point because I knew I had to do my race. I was lucky that I saw Zsolt in front so it was a good motivation to catch him.
I reached "Plaiul Foii" in a very good speed, passing Zsolt and seeing some other runners in front, including George.
I knew that I am fast on the climb to "Diana" and that I am not afraid of it! The only problem was that I started having some muscle cramps on the inside of my right foot (because of the hernia), so I walked for some meters, took a gel and drank some isotonic. Zsolt caught me and I was with him for the first part of the climb.
We were seeing George and 2 other runners in front. My cramps were gone so I started pushing. After half of the climb I caught George and after some more meters another guy that was not feeling very good!It was such a relief to reach "Diana"!

I hate the downhill from Diana, and this time I lost again time like last year..George caught me, but we stayed together and after some more minutes Zsolt came with a big speed and passed us!I asked George if he wants to finish with me the same time and when he said yes, for me was a morale booster. After the last CP, I took the lead, with George very close to me. We had a big tempo from there and caught Zsolt. We asked him to join us but he said his batteries are dead. We entered Zarnesti and sprinted for the finish! Everybody was cheering and it felt damn great! The official time was 4h39min58sec, 8th place in 18-29 category and 14th in the Open Category! (I have the same time as George, but probably he passed the gate a bit in front of me).
My objective was somewhere around 4h30min so I am very pleased about my performance, not to mention that I beat my time with more than 1h! Until next year this will have to do! But I promise you "my friend" that I will come better prepared next year! You can bet on this...
The organizers out done their selves again, giving us everything in a perfect way!
MPC really is the trend setter for other Mountain Marathons in Romania!Perfect job Lucian Clinciu....

RESULTS 18-29
RESULTS OPEN
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/118563331
http://radumilea.blogspot.com/2011/10/marathon-piatra-craiului-2011-second.html

P.S. Daniel, don`t be sad, you will be better prepared next year..you have to!

Alex Itu... Piatra Craiului Marathon

2011-10-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

October 2, 2011

Yesterday was a great day … I’ve manage to finish the famous MPC – Piatra Craiului Marathon. It was a great experience, one of the most thrilling of my life. Before going into details I would like to say a few words about this marathon... more here or on Alex personal blog

MPC Salomon rankings...

2011-10-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

congratulations to everybody for a great race, you can find the results of 2011 edition of MPC Salomon following the Results tab.
Already lots of pictures on Media tab and more will arrive soon!!!
Your experience on 2011 MPC track can be very valuable for each of us. You can share it! Send us stories, pictures or images on pc_marathon@yahoo.com. There will be posted on MPC Feedback.
Thank you!

Marathon Piatra Craiului - 1 October 2011

2011-07-06T00:56:00.000-07:00

* 6-th edition of Marathon Piatra Craiului will be in 1st of October 2011.
contact us: pc_marathon@yahoo.com

Nico Dinu - MPC 2010 images

2010-10-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

You can see the entire gallery here: personal blog

Start - Joy!

...passing through Zarnesti....really fast for tough racers... enjoying local people encouragement...

Discover the MPC friendship in Nico's photo album!
Thank you!

MPC 2010 by Andrei Tanasie

2010-10-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here, you can watch the superb image gallery of Andrei Tanasie.
Thank you Andrei!

Mysterious!

Is it any body here...?

Smile!

Hello mountains!

Slowly!

Send me a rock please..!

Yam iii..!

Acrobatic!

Tudor... the mountain goat!

Dancing?

Vals? Tango!

Surprising!

Victory!

Breaking!

Brave Maria!

Children...!!!

MPC Junior...the future!

Spectacular...the Piatra Craiului song!

Piatra Craiului... Marele Grohotis, I will be back ... in 2011!

New images from MPC 2010!

2010-10-09T04:01:00.000-07:00

Find new images from Marathon Piatra Craiului Salomon 2010:

Sorina Rusu

Dani Ilovan

Thank you for all your support!

Rules for MPC Salomon 2011

2009-08-01T03:22:00.000-07:00

These rules apply to Marathon Piatra Craiului – Salomon, edition 2011

1. Features of the CarpathianMan ® competitions:
Events from CarpathianMan ® Series are outdoor competitions with strong mountain character. The routes are unimproved and unprotected, using public and forestry roads, marked and unmarked trails, steep and rough areas, etc..
Different segments of the routes goes through villages, meadows, forest areas and cuts, alpine areas (ridges, couloirs, rock walls, valleys, debris, alpine meadows, dwarf pine forest, etc.).. All these requires from the participant, experience and special knowledge, such as:
- Any participant should have at least a general experience on the mountain.
- Any participant should have the ability to travel safely on a route in an alpine area.
- Any participant should be experienced enough pass over a difficult alpine route (a passage of fixed ropes).
- Any participant should have a good sense of direction in mountainous terrain, even in bad weather and poor visibility. This means that each participant be able to use a map and information about routes to reach in a safe place.
- Any participant should know the rules of behavior in case of danger and emergency in the mountain area.
- Any participant should show fair play and friendship and should act accordingly if the situation requires.
- Any participant should know and have an attitude that takes into account that as many safeguards would take the organizers, are not and will not be covered all risks arising from the nature of competition, environment and conditions under which take place.
- Any participant should know and take into account the fact that: no prize is above its or other participants’ health and life and to act preventively when it feels or observes a hazard.

2. “Piatra Craiului Salomon Marathon 2011”:
2.1. It is a CarpathianMan ® event.
2.2. Individual, timed, mountain running race.

3. Route:
3.1. Length 41 km, level difference +2150 m /-2150m (Zarnesti, Magura, Folea House, La Table, Funduri saddle, ref. Spirlea, Plaiul Foii, ref. Diana, Coltul Chiliei, Zarnesti Centre).
3.2. Published route may be modified for various reasons, including weather conditions, security, traffic restrictions, e.g.

4. Categories:
4.1. Female: 18-29; 30-39; 40+; OPEN
Male: 18-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60+; OPEN
SPECIAL category : OPEN
4.2. The SPECIAL category is open for mountain rescue, gendarmes, police and members of ISU. They will enter on the age rankings too.
4.3. Categories where there will be less than 5 participants can be mixed with another category at organizer choice.
4.4. Age will be considered fulfilled on 01/10/2011.

5. Equipment:
5.1. Compulsory: bottle 0,5 l + 0,5 l minimum liquid at start, food (at least two bars or gels at start), backpack or hip bag, long sleeve trouser, a long sleeve shirt, a rain jacket, hat or cap, map and number (last two will be given by the organizer).
5.2. Recommended: poles, telephone, whistle, gloves and survival blanket.
5.3. Equipment will be checked at the entrance in the start area and after the finish, it can be checked on the route to. Lack of each item of equipment will be penalized by 10 min.
Keep in your mind that is a mountain race and the weather can change very quickly!!!

6. Race number/accreditation:
6.1. Race number will be received the day before competition, after the participant has completed and signed the registration form, statement of responsibility and has paid the race fee.
6.2. Race number should be worn and must be visible throughout the race. Logos placed on the number must be visible.
6.3. The number should not be cut or damaged in any way. Failure to do so will entail disqualification.
6.4. Your race number is your accreditation; it shall give each holder certain rights, including attending the Pasta Party to be held after the race.

7. Validation/briefing:
7.1. Validation of registration will take place the day before competition from 17:00 - 20.00 and Saturday morning from 07.00 AM to 08.15 AM.
7.2. Technical meeting will take place the evening before the race, starting at 20.00. A short briefing, updated with the last adjustments and news, will take place before the start.

8. Timing:
Timing unit is the second.

9. Start:
9.1. Zarnesti, Brasov, 1 October, 9.00AM
9.2. Start area opens 30 minutes before and closes 5 minutes before the official start .
9.3. Start area will be divided as follows:
- Sector A - the top three finishers in all categories at the MPC Salomon 2010
- Sector B - all other competitors who have registered.
9.4. Entrance into the start area is only permitted through access gates.
9.5. Entering the start area will check the equipment and each competitor will sign start list. Those who not signed the list will be considered absent from the start and will not be ranked.
9.6. Once entered, the competitor must remain in the start area.
9.7. The start will be open for 15 minutes after official start time. Those who lost the race start and will go into these 15 minutes must notify officials at start area. The timing will be according to the official start time. Participants that start the race later than 15 minutes will not be ranked.

10. Neutralized start:
A possible neutralized start would be announced at the briefing. During a neutralized start the competitors must follow the vehicle driver.

11. Checkpoints:
Compulsory checkpoints are located on the route. Any participant who does not pass through a checkpoint (for whatever reason) will be disqualified. Race number can be noted in order of arrival at each checkpoint.

12. Time limit:
There are fixed two time limits: CP 4 La Table (3h30 from the start) and CP 9 Plaiu Foii (6h30 from the start).
Time limits will be announced at the technical meeting too. From some reasons (weather or trail condition) the organizer can change the time limits. Any change of the time limit will be announced before the start. Participants must pass through the points before the time limit, or for their own security will be stopped from the race and advised to withdraw to safer areas.

13. Dead time/difficult areas:
The route may include difficult areas, where the clock can be turned off (dead time). Organizers can stop the clock and / or may require slowing and / or completing these areas with special attention and walking. Organizers can set bookmarks to warn these areas and / or use safety features (fixed ropes, e.g.).

14. Arrival:
14.1. There are fixed three intermediate finish lines: CP 2 Folea House, CP 5-Funduri saddle, CP 9-Plaiul Foii and a final finish line in Zarnesti Center.
14.2. Participants have the opportunity to complete the race in any of the four points of the route, but will be ranked in the following order: Zarnesti Center, Plaiul Foii, Funduri saddle, Folea House.

15. Stop/withdrawal from the race:
15.1. The organizer reserves the right to stop a participant in the following cases:
- Was injured after start and his condition no longer allowed continuing the race.
- In exceptional cases.
15.2. Any participant who cannot or does not want to continue the race for any reason shall immediately inform the organizer at one of the following places: start/finish, checkpoints or by calling the emergency number written on the race number. The emergency number will be notified at the technical meeting.
15.3. Participants that do not inform their withdrawal from the race will be considered missing and will cause a search and rescue operation (mountain rescue teams, helicopter) at the expense of participants involved.
15.4. The withdrawal shall be confirmed by signature.
15.5. Any participant who withdrawal from the race will be helped to chose the best option to go safely back, but is responsible for his own transport, route will use and the actions will follow the withdrawal. This will not apply for serious cases which do not allow movement through their own power.

16. Rankings/Awards:
16.1. Rankings will be made for all categories. First three finishers in each category will be awarded.
16.2. All those who will complete the tour of Piatra Craiului will enter in possession of MPC medal.
16.3. Everyone who finished the race will receive diplomas. Special prizes for the oldest participants.

17. Nature conservation:
Carpathian Man ® events are held in some of the most beautiful mountain regions of Romania. Leaving waist, packages, equipment on the routes and/or deliberate environmental destruction will be penalized, first offense - 60 minutes, second offense - disqualification.

18. Supporters/Help:
18.1. Supporters can encourage any competitor; they should respect traffic rules, authorities or officials instructions and not impede competition.
18.2. On the route is not allowed any help coming from outside (supporter, spectator, e.g.), except arranged refreshment points, where competitors besides drinks, fruits and energy food provided by the organizers can receive other foods, liquid, e.g. Other exceptions are special cases.
18.3. The organizer can carry personal luggage at CP 9 Plaiul Foii, except poles which should be carried all the way.
18.4. Assistance with liquids, food, accessories between registered competitors is allowed.
18.5. Any support offered from moving vehicles is prohibited.

19. Other rules:
19.1. Marathon Piatra Craiului - Salomon uses like race route the following and not only: public and forestry roads; arranged and unprepared trails; passing the villages, pastures, forests, forest cuts, alpine meadows, debris, steep valleys, ridges.
19.2. The race route is not closed to other users (cars, vehicles, pedestrians, tourists, animals and others). This draws on the participants, the obligation to respect the traffic rules imposed by laws. Any accident caused and/or who involve participants in the Marathon Piatra Craiului - Salomon, it occurred during the race from violation of the traffic rules imposed by laws shall be the responsibility of those involved in the accident.
19.3. Each competitor is obliged to follow the official route, follow the official’s indications, not to use shortcuts or other similar benefits.
19.4. Any competitor has to prove fair play: allow to a faster competitor to overtake him without obstruct, to assist a competitor in difficulty and who request it.
19.5. The route is unimproved and unprotected, so there is a risk of injury and/or death from common hazards for outdoor competitions. These include and are not limited to: collisions with motor vehicle, other vehicles, stones, rocks, trees, people and other objects; falls; landslides; cold and/or heat injuries; hypothermia; heatstroke; dehydration; frostbite; burns; altitude sickness; falling stones; hail; snow, rocks or soil avalanches; floods; storms; lightning; animals; reptiles; insects; fire; drowning; physical exertion.

20. Penalties:
- Shortening the route = disqualification
- Doping = disqualification
- Overtaking the driver vehicle (in case of neutralized start) = disqualification
- Environmental failure, the first offense = 60 minutes
- Environmental failure, second offense = disqualification
- Race number cutting = disqualification
- Receiving assistance from outside off refreshment areas = 60 minutes
- Breach of competition rules = disqualification
- Lack of fair play towards other participants, officials, public, e.g. = disqualification
- Lack of required equipment item = 10 minutes / item
Race fee will not reimburse for disqualification.

21. Complains:
21.1. Any participant may make a complaint against another participant who failed to comply with race rules or against the decisions of officials.
21.2. Written appeal together with a fee of 200 lei will be submitted to the race office within 15 minutes after posting provisional final results. Complain will be solved in the next 30 minutes.
21.3. The fee will be returned to the applicant if the appeal will be accepted.

By registration, payment and participation each participant confirms having read, understood and accepted the terms of participation, these rules, assume the risks of participation in Marathon Piatra Craiului - Salomon and are responsible for their actions who should take into account the relevant circumstances as: changing weather, traffic, weather and snow conditions, location and equipment.

MPC Rankings

2008-08-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Here you can find the Marathon Piatra Craiului rankings over the years:

MPC Salomon 2011:

- women all age categories

- men all age categories

- special category

- women OPEN

- men OPEN

MPC Salomon 2010 rankings

MPC Salomon 2009 rankings

MPC 2008 rankings

MPC 2007 rankings

MPC 2006 rankings