VENICEMARATHON 2026

It was 1986 when Salvatore Bettiol and Paola Moro etched their names in the history of the Venicemarathon by winning its very first edition, an event that from the start offered a unique and thrilling race, captivating both professional and amateur athletes alike. Over the years, the course has undergone structural and organizational changes that enhanced both its athletic and spectacular appeal, while preserving the spirit of a race that, since 1989, has also been designated to crown the Italian national champion in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Runners in the various categories set off from the historic Villa Pisani in Stra and traverse the entire Riviera del Brenta – passing through Fiesso d’Artico, Dolo, Mira, and Oriago – before continuing through the center of Marghera and Mestre. For over two kilometers, the route winds through the greenery of Parco San Giuliano, the starting point for the 10K, and then reaches Venice via the demanding Ponte della Libertà, whose four kilometers often prove to be the most selective and decisive segment of the race.
The course then enters the port area and reaches the historic center for the most special and unforgettable section, which features 14 bridges. Athletes run alongside the Giudecca Canal to Punta della Dogana, where they cross the Grand Canal via a specially constructed floating bridge. The final lap through Piazza San Marco, passing the Campanile, the Basilica, and the Doge’s Palace, leads runners to the finish line at Riva Sette Martiri, concluding the official 42.195-kilometer course, certified by AIMS and IAAF, and marking the culmination of an event that has grown enormously over the decades.
This year, the Wizz Air Venicemarathon celebrates its fortieth anniversary, raising the registration limit to a maximum of ten thousand participants, with a record number of entrants already registered and increasing day by day.