RUNNNING: Napoli City Half Marathon 2026 (ITA)

Napoli, Italy Sun 22 February 2026

Source: https://www.napolirunning.com/

The Napoli City Half Marathon 2026 is taking place this weekend! The main event is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026, with several activities leading up to the race starting today.

Here is the program and key information for the weekend:

Race Weekend Schedule

Key Event Details

• The Route: A fast, flat, and scenic loop (21.0975 km) that starts at the Mostra d’Oltremare, passes through the Laziale Tunnel, runs along the seafront (Lungomare), circles the port, and heads through the historic center before returning.
• Time Limit: You have a maximum of 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the course.
• Pacemakers: Look for the pacer teams if you are aiming for specific times: 1:24, 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, and 2:30.
• Record Chase: Keep an eye out for elite runners like Yeman Crippa and Pietro Riva, who are expected to challenge the Italian half-marathon record this year.

Important for Participants

Since today is Friday, the Sport Expo at the Mostra d’Oltremare is now open for bib collection. Make sure you have your confirmation document and ID ready. If you can’t make it today, the expo has extended hours tomorrow until 21:00.

The Napoli City Half Marathon has a fascinating history that blends deep-rooted local tradition with modern, elite-level ambition. Although a version of the race existed earlier as the “Trophy of Health Professions” (founded in 2014), the event as it is known today was truly transformed in 2016.

The Vision of Carlo Capalbo

The modern era of the race began when Carlo Capalbo, a Neapolitan and the founder of the prestigious RunCzech series, returned to his home city. His goal was to apply the “Prague model” of race organization to Naples. Under his leadership and the Napoli Running organization, the race was professionally rebranded to meet World Athletics standards, focusing on a fast, flat course designed for records.

Becoming the “Fastest in Italy”

In a very short time, the race has earned the title of the fastest half marathon on Italian soil. It holds a unique distinction: it is the only race in Italy where both the men’s and women’s national half marathon records were set.

• The 2022 Milestone: Italian runner Yeman Crippa made history in Naples by becoming the first Italian to break the one-hour barrier, setting the national record at 59:26.
• The 2024 Milestone: Sofiia Yaremchuk equaled the Italian women’s record with a time of 1:08:27, cementing the city’s reputation as a “record-breaking” destination.

Historical Fast Facts

Did you know? The race course was specifically redesigned a few years ago to remove several turns and include the scenic Laziale Tunnel and the Lungomare, making it more aerodynamic for elite runners while offering a “postcard” view of Vesuvius for everyone else.