12th June 2026

Gabriela Rosu - Running back to myself

Gabriela Roșu has been running for four years, but already knows what she's after: long distances, big challenges, and the kind of freedom only trails can offer. This year she takes on the Triple Crown at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, and in this interview, she talks about the roots that always bring her back and the horizon that keeps making her leave.

Roots and Horizons

My name is Gabriela Roșu, I am 30 years old, I live in Bucharest, and I love running on mountain trails. I have been running for four years and have taken part in numerous races, both on trails and on the road. I prefer long distances and big challenges, but I firmly believe that my greatest achievement so far is simply that I never gave up on this sport, regardless of the “elevation changes” I encountered along the way.

1. How did your passion for running begin?

My passion for running began where peace started and chaos ended. I started running because I needed a way to disconnect, to find calm after long working days. Almost instantly, I noticed that running helped me organize my thoughts and brought me an incredible amount of joy. Then all it took was participating in my first mountain race, feeling the energy of the event, and discovering this amazing running community. That's when I realized this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

2. Who are you when you're not running and how much of that person do you bring with you onto the trails?

When I'm not running, I'm still constantly on the move because I can hardly sit still. My work involves a lot of dynamism, creativity, communication, and quick problem-solving. I believe all these qualities accompany me in the mountains and help me approach every challenge with enthusiasm. I enjoy creating a strategy and continuously adapting it so that the final outcome is the best it can possibly be. I'm both a very outgoing and a very deep person. My sensitivity is what rises to the surface when I'm alone on the trails. I feel connected to every little part of nature while also feeling free and strong at the same time.

3. Which race are you running at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, and what does that distance say about you?

As I mentioned before, I love big challenges. The first time I heard about the Triple Crown Challenge, I immediately thought it was exactly what I was looking for—a trilogy that would take me through every emotion and teach me things about myself that I don't yet know. I often say that the person standing at the start line is never the same person who crosses the finish line. That's why I can't wait to high-five the Gabriela who will cross the finish line at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, not once, but three times.

4. Bucovina Ultra Rocks is more than a race it's a state of mind. What inspired you to become part of this adventure?

I've wanted to be part of this adventure for a long time, and I'm incredibly happy that it's finally happening. Bucovina feels like a magical place to me, with a unique spiritual energy. Whenever I travel somewhere new for a race, I try to discover more than just the trails. I enjoy understanding the people, the stories, and the spirit of a place. Bucovina seems to have it all: spectacular mountains, living traditions, and a sense of peace that's becoming increasingly rare to find.

5. What does it mean to you to be an ambassador for Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB and the "Her Trail, Her Horizon" campaign?

It is an honor to be an ambassador for a race that is so loved by runners in Romania and beyond. The "Her Trail, Her Horizon" campaign resonated with me from the very beginning because I understand how important it is for women to feel represented and supported in trail running. I believe we need more opportunities to openly discuss the challenges we face, share our experiences, and encourage one another.

6. If you had to convince friends who have never been to Bucovina to participate in Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, how would you do it?

I hear more and more people around me saying that they need time in nature, authentic connections, and adventures that make them feel alive and fulfilled. If you knew you could find all of these things in one place, at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, would you really think twice?

7. What does the idea of running among roots while looking toward the horizon mean to you?

Although I was born in Bucharest, I spent almost every summer of my childhood in the countryside. Unfortunately, not in the mountains, but I was lucky enough that my grandparents lived in the last house of a small village. My memories from those years are filled with barefoot runs through the grass and sunsets where all I could see was a blazing sky stretching endlessly over the fields. In short, every time I run on the trails, I return to that place to the free and happy child whose only wish was to wake up the next morning and run again. Today, what gets me out of bed every day is the curiosity to discover just how far my mind can take my feet on the trails. Perhaps the roots are what always bring me back, while the horizon is what inspires me to set off once again.