The Carpaterra Association and the people of Mercheașa, Brașov County, organised ‘Oak’s Day’, third edition, a celebration dedicated to the oldest oak in Romania – the great 900-year-old ‘gorun’ (a sessile oak). The contest ‘Gorun Trail Mercheașa 2018’ was organized on this occasion, as the participants were eager to shout together, at the starting line: GO RUN! The race was part of the ‘Oak’s Day’ event for advertising ecotourism in Homorod commune.
Nature and culture
The third edition of Gorun Trail is a symbol of the constant efforts for the preservation of the protected natural areas. These actions started in 2016, as the ‘Oak’s Day’ was established by Homorod Town Hall and Carpaterra Association. This year’s edition featured cultural and crafting events, wind instruments concerts, as well as a variety of activities designed to aid the tourists’ interaction with the heritage of Mercheașa village.
A race in an archaic landscape
The Homorod Commune, where the race took place, is part of the ‘Natura 2000 Dealurile Homoroadelor’ and ‘Natura 2000 Podişul Târnavelor’ site management plans. Gorun Trail has the high aim of becoming a famous race, due to its archaic landscape and the fact that it crosses several protected areas. The contest includes two races: a 10-km and a 30-km run.
Age-old oaks and fortified churches
‘Mercheașa village, where the Oak’s Day takes place, is part of the Homorod Commune. We wanted to highlight the fact that age-old oaks and fortified churches ‘lived” together for centuries, and we thought it would be a good idea to display them together in an atmosphere characteristic for these places,’ declared Marcel Pelei, Mayor of the Homorod commune. The event is part of the Oak’s Day project, implemented by Carpaterra Association. The project is co-funded by Brasov County Council.
Dorin Dușa
