Ioana Barbu: Ultra Runner & Moggans Athlete

The ultra runner who completed the Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series in one calendar year — racing from the Arctic to the Amazon in Moggans merino socks.

Some athletes chase finish lines. Others go looking for the very edge of what's possible. Ultra-marathon runner Ioana Barbu is firmly in the second camp.

From the Arctic Circle to the Amazon rainforest, the Namibian desert to the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Ioana chooses races in some of the most remote and hostile environments on earth – and still finds a way to thrive.

In 2025, she made history by becoming the first person ever to complete all six races in the Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series within a single calendar year. It's a season that places her among the most accomplished endurance athletes in the sport – and we're proud she did it wearing Moggans.

Pushing Limits in the World's Harshest Environments

Ioana's race calendar reads like a tour of the planet's extremes:

• Arctic Circle Ultra – temperatures as low as -40°C
• Amazon Rainforest Ultra – heat, humidity and relentless mud
• Namibian Desert Ultra – highs of 53°C and endless sand
• Mountain Ultra (Kyrgyzstan) – up to 3,907m altitude
• Highland Ultra (Scotland) – wild, changeable mountain weather
• For Rangers Ultra (Kenya) – heat, dust and long, exposed stages

Each event is self-supported. Runners must carry mandatory kit, food and water, with packs weighing around 11kg, while navigating technical terrain, extreme conditions and serious fatigue.

During the Mountain Ultra in Kyrgyzstan, Ioana was bitten by a wild dog just 5km from the finish of a 200km race. Instead of stopping, she accelerated, sprinting over the line before heading straight for emergency medical treatment. It was one of the hardest moments of the year – and a defining one.

She was the only athlete who set out with the goal of completing all six races in the series – and she finished the year having done exactly that.

Why Ioana Runs in Moggans

Ioana's racing environments are unforgiving. Kit has to work. There's no backup when you're days from the nearest road.

That's exactly why we're proud to have her as a Moggans athlete and ambassador.

Her races demand:

• Precision fit – no slipping, no bunching, even over multi-day efforts
• Durability – socks that can handle heat, cold, sand and mud without breaking down
• Thermoregulation – keeping feet comfortable across extreme temperature swings
• Reliability – kit that simply doesn't become something you have to manage mid-race

At Moggans, everything we make is designed and tested in Scotland, built around the performance of Merino wool and the realities of long days in the hills, mountains and on the trails. Ioana's feedback from real-world racing helps us refine and push our products even further.

When failure isn't an option, every detail matters. Ioana represents the same values we build into Moggans: precision, durability and performance without compromise.

What Ioana Looks for in a Running Sock

For Ioana, socks are not an afterthought. Across multi-day races, changing climates and long hours on foot, comfort, fit and moisture control can make the difference between finishing strongly and fighting avoidable foot problems.

"In extreme environments, you can't afford kit that lets you down. Every piece of equipment has to earn its place — and socks are no different. When you're 150km into a race and your feet are still comfortable, that's when you know the kit is doing its job."

Her approach to sock selection changes with the environment:

• Hot desert and jungle races – ultralight merino for maximum breathability and moisture wicking without overheating
• Arctic and mountain races – crew-length merino for warmth, coverage and protection against debris
• Multi-day back-to-back stages – durability and fit retention become the priority; a sock that loses its shape by day two is a liability

"Blisters are one of the biggest race-enders in ultra running. The right sock — one that fits precisely, doesn't bunch and manages moisture — removes that risk almost entirely. That's why I trust Moggans."

Explore Moggans merino running socks for ultra running — designed and tested in Scotland for exactly these conditions.

Championing Women in Endurance Sport

Beyond results and race medals, Ioana has a clear sense of purpose: she wants to challenge assumptions, especially around women in endurance sport.

Women regularly place on overall podiums at ultra distances. Ioana is passionate about showing what's possible when:

• Preparation is taken seriously
• Confidence is encouraged
• Opportunities are equal

"The longer the distance, the more level the playing field becomes."

Through her racing and storytelling, she hopes to encourage more women to step into spaces that can look intimidating or "too extreme" from the outside – and to feel like they truly belong there.

From Backcountry Snowboarder to Ultra Runner

Ioana's journey into endurance didn't start with running.

Back in 2012, she was a backcountry snowboarder, riding deep snow in Austria and then relocating to New Zealand to ride near Queenstown. During the off-season she started trail running to stay fit. The trails quickly became more than just cross-training.

What began as simple mountain runs evolved into races, then ultra-marathons, and finally multi-stage endurance events in remote locations. Her backcountry snowboarding background meant she was already comfortable with:

• Risk and decision-making in exposed terrain
• Long periods of isolation
• Reading conditions and adapting on the move

Those skills now sit at the heart of her approach to ultra-running.

Training, Preparation & Mental Strength

Ioana approaches endurance like an elite professional. Alongside her coach, she works with Dr Freya Bayne, a psychophysiology lecturer at London South Bank University, to build a complete performance picture.

Her preparation includes:

• Altitude training to simulate mountain environments
• Heat exposure to prepare for desert and jungle conditions
• Cold immersion and chill adaptation for Arctic races
• Controlled lab testing to understand how her body responds under stress

But what really sets her apart is her mental game. Ioana's calm under pressure has been decisive – whether that's staying composed during storms that force half the field to withdraw, or managing extreme heat where survival depends as much on mindset as on physiology.

For her, endurance isn't about bravado. It's about control, awareness, making smart decisions when tired, and the ability to keep going when conditions strip everything back.

Listen & Watch: Ioana in the Media

Curious to go deeper into Ioana's story and mindset? These interviews and features are a great place to start:

• ITV News – Beyond the Ultimate Coverage
  On-location coverage of the physical and mental demands of racing in extreme environments.

• RunPod Podcast
  A deep-dive into how Ioana prepares for multi-day races across wildly different climates.
  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/runpod/id1457721095?i=1000700198720
• Tough Girl Podcast – Winning the Ice Highland Ultra
  A long-form conversation about resilience, mindset and racing as a woman at the sharp end of ultra-running.
  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ioana-barbu-ultra-runner-winning-the-ice-highland/id1024977070?i=1000720563534
• Beyond the Ultimate Series Reel (Instagram)
  A visual snapshot of the full series – from Arctic cold to desert heat.
  Watch: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRhqhiciG8f/

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ioana Barbu?

Ioana Barbu is a professional ultra runner and Moggans athlete who made history in 2025 by becoming the first person to complete all six Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series events in a single calendar year, racing across the Arctic, Amazon, Namibia, Kyrgyzstan, Scotland and Kenya.

What races has Ioana Barbu completed?

Ioana completed all six races in the Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series in 2025: the Arctic Circle Ultra, Amazon Rainforest Ultra, Namibian Desert Ultra, Mountain Ultra in Kyrgyzstan, Highland Ultra in Scotland, and For Rangers Ultra in Kenya — all self-supported, carrying around 11kg of mandatory kit.

What socks does Ioana Barbu wear for ultra running?

Ioana wears Moggans merino running socks, chosen for their precision fit, thermoregulation, durability and comfort across multi-day races in extreme conditions. Her primary choices are the Lightweight Merino Crew Socks and Ultralight Merino Crew Socks.

Why are merino socks useful for ultra running?

Merino wool naturally regulates temperature, wicks moisture, resists odour and stays comfortable over long distances. For ultra runners, this means fewer blisters, more consistent foot comfort across changing conditions, and socks that perform whether it's -40°C in the Arctic or 53°C in the Namibian desert.

Are Moggans socks suitable for multi-day races?

Yes. Moggans merino running socks are designed and tested in Scotland for long days in demanding conditions. Their durability, fit retention and thermoregulation make them well suited to multi-day ultra marathons, trail races and mountain events.

Follow Ioana

Want to see what life looks like inside some of the world's toughest races? Follow Ioana on Instagram for training insights, race reports and glimpses from the Arctic, Amazon, deserts and high mountains:

Instagram: @ioanabarboux

Ready to run in the socks Ioana trusts? Explore the full Moggans merino running socks collection or browse our trail running socks.