Maratona Di Ravenna Città D'Arte
The Lowdown
The Maratona di Ravenna Città d'Arte is a long-established autumn marathon that celebrates Ravenna’s extraordinary cultural heritage and centuries-old mosaics. First organized in the 1980s and continually developed into a major Italian road race, the event highlights the city’s status as a Unesco World Heritage site and attracts both domestic and international runners seeking a scenic, historically rich race experience. Traditionally held in November, the marathon combines a competitive road-racing atmosphere with the chance to run past some of Italy’s most important early-Christian and Byzantine monuments. The course is predominantly flat and fast, weaving through Ravenna’s broad boulevards, parks and the neighborhoods that showcase famous basilicas and mosaic-decorated monuments, with stretches that pass near the Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and other artistic landmarks. Spectators line key points of the route, creating a lively and supportive atmosphere with local music, food stands and volunteers providing warm encouragement — a welcoming mix of competitive focus and cultural tourism. The race is AIMS-certified and organized to World Athletics standards, making it eligible as a Boston Marathon qualifying course and reliable for official times and records.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Basilica di San Vitale
Iconic 6th-century church famous for its Byzantine mosaics, a central sight along the route
Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
Small UNESCO-listed mausoleum adjacent to San Vitale, renowned for its brilliant early Christian mosaics
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Early Christian basilica with long mosaic cycle depicting saints and processions, visible from the race course
Tomba di Dante
The tomb and monument to Dante Alighieri in Ravenna's historic center, a cultural highlight for runners
Piazza del Popolo
Ravenna's main civic square surrounded by historic buildings, often a lively point on the marathon route
Battistero Neoniano (Neonian Baptistery)
Late antique baptistery with distinctive mosaics, situated in the old town near the course
Marina di Ravenna / Porto Corsini
Coastal section near the Adriatic with sea views and promenade stretches included in parts of the marathon
Ravenna, Italy
IT
Based on nearby accommodations
- Must be at least 18 years old on race day (2026-11-08)
- Valid medical certificate for competitive sports (certificato medico agonistico) required and must be presented on request
- Foreign runners may submit an equivalent sports fitness certificate recognized in their country; an Italian translation may be required
- Athletes registered with a national athletics federation (e.g. FIDAL or equivalent) must have a valid membership/licence
- Online registration and full payment required by the published deadline; on-site entries may not be available
- Race bibs are personal and non-transferable; changing bibs is prohibited
- Participants must comply with race rules, marshals' instructions and anti-doping regulations
- Runners must finish within the official course time limits and respect intermediate cut-off times; participants who cannot maintain required minimum pace may be removed from the course for safety
- Photo ID (passport or national ID)
- Medical certificate for competitive athletics (certificato medico agonistico per atletica leggera)
- Valid athletics membership/license (FIDAL card, Runcard, or national federation equivalent)
- Proof of age (birth certificate or ID if not on ID)
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Tour Operator
- Club/Team Entry
- On-site Registration
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
Full refund until 60 days before the race (by 2026-09-09)
50% refund until 30 days before the race (by 2026-10-09)
No refunds within 30 days of the race (after 2026-10-09)
Bib transfer to another runner allowed until 14 days before the race (by 2026-10-25) with a €10 administrative fee
Deferral to the 2027 edition allowed until 30 days before the race with a €15 fee
If the race is canceled for force majeure the organizer may offer entry deferral or a partial refund/voucher at their discretion
Organizer not responsible for travel, accommodation costs, or personal expenses resulting from cancellation or changes
The course is primarily flat and fast and winds through Ravenna’s historic center with multiple views of UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics and monuments.
Finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical race shirt, and chip timing is used for official results.
Race weekend typically includes a race expo, a pre-race pasta party and a family-friendly 10K/children’s run on the same weekend.
Aid stations are positioned approximately every 5 km with water, sports drink and medical support, and there are award categories for overall, age-group, and national champions.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.