A proud moment for Ioana and Moggans
Moggans athlete Ioana Barbu has been featured in Women's Running magazine, sharing the story behind her journey into ultra running, the lessons learned from racing in some of the world's most remote landscapes, and the kit she trusts when the miles get serious.
For Moggans, it is a proud moment to see one of our athletes recognised in a national running publication. Ioana's approach to endurance is everything we admire: resilient, thoughtful, quietly determined and rooted in a love of wild places.
From backcountry snowboarding to ultra running
Before ultra running, Ioana was drawn to the mountains through backcountry snowboarding. That appetite for remote landscapes eventually led her towards multi-stage endurance racing, where the challenge is not only the distance but the environment, the decision-making and the ability to keep moving when conditions change.
Racing across some of the world's toughest landscapes
Her racing journey has taken her across the Arctic Circle, through rainforest, desert and mountain terrain, including the Amazon rainforest, Namib Desert and Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan mountains. It is a race history built on patience, preparation and a willingness to be uncomfortable for long periods of time.
What the Women's Running feature covers
Training, resilience and recovery
The Women's Running feature looks at how Ioana trains, what she has learned from the toughest races, and the importance of recovery, consistency and avoiding overtraining. These are lessons that apply far beyond elite endurance sport. They are useful for any runner trying to build confidence, stay injury-free and enjoy the process for longer.
One of the most valuable messages from Ioana's story is that endurance is not about pushing hard every day. It is about knowing when to work, when to rest, and when to trust the preparation already in the bank.
"Small kit choices matter when the miles get serious."
The kit that helps her go the distance
In long-distance racing, small problems can become big ones quickly. Foot care, comfort and reliable kit matter because there is little room for error when you are moving for hours, or days, at a time.
That is why it means so much to see Moggans Ultralight Merino running socks and Merino wool running socks included among the kit Ioana trusts. Designed for comfort, breathability and long-distance use, they are made for runners who need their socks to perform when the terrain, weather and mileage are all unpredictable.
Why this matters to Moggans
Supporting women in endurance sport
Moggans was built around performance, durability and natural fibres, but stories like Ioana's give those values a human face. Supporting athletes in demanding environments helps us keep close to what matters: comfort, fit, resilience and kit that does its job without fuss.
We are proud to support Ioana as part of the Moggans athlete team and excited to follow the next chapter of her endurance journey.
Read more about Ioana
This Women's Running feature is one part of a wider Moggans content series following Ioana's story, training lessons, race kit and foot-care advice for ultra running.
Ioana Barbu: Ultra Runner & Moggans Athlete
Read the full story — how Ioana became the first person to complete all six Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series events in one calendar year, why she runs in Moggans merino socks, and what she looks for in kit when the conditions are extreme.
Read Ioana's full athlete profile →Explore our merino running socks for road, trail and ultra running, or follow Ioana's ultra running journey as she continues to push the boundaries of endurance sport.
Not sure which sock is right for your next race? Our guide will help you choose the right running socks for road, trail or ultra running.
Discover the Merino running socks trusted by Moggans athletes, built for comfort across long miles, changing weather and demanding terrain.
