Maratona di Ravenna Città d'Arte

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 2026 edition hosts the Italian Masters Marathon Championship (FIDAL) and is part of the HypER-5 five-marathon Emilia-Romagna circuit. 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.