Venice Marathon 2025
Book nowphoto : Matteo Bertolin
- Next event : Sun, October 26, 2025Date confirmed
- Last event : Sun, October 27, 2024
The event in a few words
Comfortably seated in your armchair? Beware, the performance is about to start... Backstage, there's a buzz of activity. Everyone's bustling to present you with a show worthy of the greatest playwrights 🎭. Illusion, lights, and fountains, everything's set for the spectacle. It's in October 🍂, that the actors will take to the stage to passionately perform the 38th edition of the Venice Marathon! 🤗
The scene is set in Venice, the "Serenissima" as it's fondly called. Capital of the Veneto region, it's perched on the Adriatic Sea 🌊. It was Piero Rosa Salva in 1986, who chose this city of art, culture, and romance to host the spectacle of the Marathon of Venice. At that time, large crowds already traveled to witness this unprecedented play! Today, this sporting and festive event has become one of the major gatherings in the European running scene. On stage, runners will be the protagonists, shining brightly on a course as fascinating as it is enchanting, weaving through city and seafront. But off-stage, the excitement will also reach fever pitch with the Venice Marathon Expo Village, located in the heart of the San Giuliano Park (fun fact: it's the second-largest park in Europe, you learn something new every day with Finishers 😜). It serves as a headquarters for running enthusiasts who can stroll through different exhibitors' stands and discover their latest products. 😍
With the exposition scene set, let's dive into the heart of the matter. The distances and routes of the Venice Marathon will be featured in this act 1️⃣. First and foremost, we spotlight the flagship event of this festival: the famous Marathon. From the banks of the Brenta at Stra, to the finish line at Riva Sette Martiri, on the picturesque seafront of the Saint Mark's Basin, you'll race through the streets of this Venetian mosaic 🏃♀️! The 18th-century homes, including the impressive Villa Pisani, the Zattere quays along the Giudecca Canal, the bridge over the Grand Canal, the St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace will be your backdrop. All the motivation you need to give it your all and conquer those 42.195 km 😉. Along your journey, you may be cheered on by Venetians shouting ‘Duri i banchi’ (roughly ‘hold strong, you’ll make it through’), or accompanied by choirs harmonizing your strides with music 🎶! A side note: be prepared for possible improvisation similar to the 2018 edition, running with feet in water due to the 'acqua alta' (high water) phenomenon that often floods the city in late October-early November 😮, that's part of the Venetian charm too. Anyway, back to the main story. The marathon is not the only protagonist of this event. You'll also find a half-marathon and a 10 km run that will take you through the city's winding alleys, canals, bridges, and churches. And the day before all these races, a family run of 4 km (Family Run) 👨👩👧👦 awaits you on the stage of the San Giuliano Park!
After the climax and twists of your run, you can drop the mask and join the Venetians and visitors to fully enjoy your time in Veneto. To extend the pleasure, you might embark on one of the historic gondolas 🚣 navigating the city's six historic districts, or visit one of the small islands in the lagoon (Murano, Burano, San Michele, Lido...) 🏝. And if hunger strikes, the city's typical fish 🐟 and seafood 🐙 recipes will naturally quell your stomach's rumblings: Risotto o Pasta al Nero di Seppia, Sarde in Saor, Baccalà Mantecato, Folpeti, Italian delicacies that make your mouth water! 😋
From Marco Polo to Casanova, through Shakespeare, Petrarch or Hemingway, many artists and travelers have fallen for the charms of Venice, and now it's your turn, runner, to be tempted by the spectacle that the Venice Marathon offers! ❤️
If you're craving even more running adventures in the Boot Country, you can head to the Rome Marathon (there's also a half-marathon) or the Florence Marathon! 😉
6 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
- MarathonTOP
- Half Marathon
- 10 km
- Kids
- Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 9:40 AM
- Elevation gain : 140mD+
A few more words
A key feature of this event, the marathon course is relatively flat and fast. The curtain rises at Stra, a quaint countryside town located 25 km west of Venice. The Villa Pisani sets the scene for this grand opening 🏁. You'll then dazzle onlookers for about twenty kilometers along the Brenta River, passing through various municipalities of the region (Dolo, Mira, Oriago...). This part of the course unfolds in an environment rich in history, culture, and magnificent buildings 😍. Indeed, you will be able to admire the numerous 18th-century villas built by Venetian nobles for their holidays, such as Villa Badoer, Villa Venier, and Villa Foscari ⛱. Midway through, you'll already be at the gates of the Venice Lagoon, passing through the centers of Marghera and Mestre before setting foot in Saint-Julien Park where you'll enjoy bands, refreshments, and the surrounding greenery.
After this brief interlude, the Ponte della Libertà will take center stage, showcasing its straight 4 km length. Soon, Venice will come into view! The moment you step onto its ground, emotions will undoubtedly overwhelm you. The port area will be your first stop 🚤. Then, the most beautiful part of your journey awaits. You'll follow the Giudecca Canal, passing by the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario, the Venice Academy of Fine Arts, and the Church of Santo Spirito. Once past the 40th kilometer, you'll glimpse the Punta della Dogana, where you'll cross the Grand Canal on a pontoon specially constructed for the event. You'll then pass near the Royal Gardens, and your final kilometers will be unforgettable. Indeed, they will spotlight Venice in all its glory ✨! The Piazza San Marco and the columns of San Marco and San Teodoro, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Palazzo delle Prigioni will give you the strength to cross your finish line, before taking a final bow at Riva dei Sette Martiri in a panoramic position facing the lagoon. 🌊
Half Marathon
Road Running- Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 8:45 AM
- Elevation gain : 50mD+
A few more words
Exciting news for the 36th edition of the Venice Marathon: a half-marathon is being organized for the first time ever!
Similar to the 42 km and 10 km races, the half-marathon will kick off on solid ground 🤗. You'll start from Mestre, at the Ferretto Square, just a stone's throw away from the St Mark's Clocktower. The first kilometers will take you through the heart of the renovated Piazzetta Coin area and past the new M9 museum complex. After crossing the XXVII October Square (Place Barche), you'll join the traditional Venice Marathon course. Once past the Salso Canal and the verdant avenues of San Giuliano Park, it's the Liberty Bridge you'll have to cross to get into the heart of Venice. An exceptional race finish awaits, where you'll tackle the extraordinary waterside route all the way to the finish line at the Riva dei Sette Martiri 😍. The St Mark's Square, the Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Palazzo Delle Prigioni, are just some of the wonders you'll marvel at in your final kilometers.
Road Running 10 km
Road Running- Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 20mD+
A few more words
Another star of the Venice Marathon is the 10 km race. If you opt for this distance, the opening scene unfolds on solid ground, in the San Giuliano Park located in Mestre 🏞. You'll then continue your showcase on the 4 km-long Freedom Bridge, making your way to Venice and its new port area 🚤. The heart of the action quickly arrives as you step onto the historic city center's soil. Indeed, the most breathtaking and spectacular part of your race awaits there 😍. Similar to the marathon route, you'll run alongside the Giudecca Canal, passing by the Church of Saint Mary of the Rosary, the Venice Academy of Fine Arts, and the Church of the Holy Spirit, eventually reaching the Punta della Dogana. You will then cross the Grand Canal via a bridge specifically constructed for the event. Before your majestic arrival at Riva dei Sette Martiri, on the picturesque waterfront of the Bassin of Saint Mark 🌊, Saint Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace will come into view for a feast to your eyes! Beware of the adventures on the last 3 kilometers; the route, consisting of large stone slabs, can be quite tricky. 😉
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You can collect your race bib on October 24 and 25, 2025, from 9 AM to 8 PM at the Expo Sport Venice Marathon Village (located in San Giuliano Park in Mestre).
For the Marathon:
Start at Villa Pisani in Stra at 9:40 AM
For the Half Marathon:
Start at Ferretto Square in Mestre at 8:45 AM
For the 10 km:
Start in San Giuliano Park in Mestre at 8:00 AM
For the Marathon:
The maximum time to reach the half marathon point (km 21.097) is 2h45
The maximum time to reach km 30 is 3h50
The maximum time to finish the race is 6h
For the Half Marathon:
The maximum time is 2h30, with a 10 km mark to be reached within 1h10
For the 10 km:
The maximum time to finish the race is 1h45
A total of 8 refreshment areas are planned at km 5, 10, 15, 21, 25, 30, 35, and 40. You will find water at all points, and from km 20 onwards, seasonal fruits, energy biscuits, bananas, apples, and energy drinks will also be available.
Yes, there will be starting corrals for the different races. These will be clearly marked on your race bib with a specific color.
Yes, a group of pacers will be available to help you achieve your marathon goal. Look for your pacer before the start and get ready to follow their balloon!
Yes, free shuttles will be available to take runners back to the starting area. To get to the start from Venice, buses will depart from Venice Tronchetto to return to Mestre Stazione / Forte Marghera / Parco San Giuliano or to the start area in Stra:
For the 10 km:
Venice Tronchetto (in front of the ferry stop: Tronchetto, 5 minutes from Piazzale Roma) from 6:00 AM to 6:40 AM
Venice Mestre - Piazzale Favretti (150 meters to the right outside the train station) from 6:00 AM to 6:50 AM
For the Half Marathon:
Venice Tronchetto (in front of the ferry stop: Tronchetto, 5 minutes from Piazzale Roma) from 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM
Venice Mestre (train station - old post office - 50 meters to the right outside the station) from 6:45 AM to 7:15 AM
For the Marathon:
Venice Tronchetto (in front of the ferry stop: Tronchetto, 5 minutes from Piazzale Roma) from 6:50 AM to 7:20 AM
Venice Mestre (train station) from 6:40 AM to 7:20 AM
For the return to the mainland, there will be a boat from Venice Giardini to Venice Tronchetto from 9:15 AM to 11:00 AM and from 12:15 PM to 4:00 PM.
Yes, you will be able to leave your belongings with the organizers in the bag provided when you pick up your race bib. No other bags will be accepted!
For the Marathon and Half Marathon: Participants must be at least 20 years old on race day
For the 10 km: No age restrictions
October in Venice offers ideal running conditions. With temperatures ranging from 7°C to 15°C, you’ll avoid the intense summer heat.
You can find various accommodation options here.
As a foreign participant, you will need to provide one of the following:
A license issued by your country's Athletics Federation
If you want to register in the "competitive" category: A RunCard (15€ for one year) required for all races in Italy, and you will need to upload a medical certificate confirming you are fit to run in competitions (dated within a year before the race) on the platform
If you want to register in the "non-competitive" category: A liability waiver confirming your good health at the race start. You can download the form directly from the race website. Note: Providing only this waiver means you will not be included in the general ranking with all other runners and not eligible for podium positions.
For more information, check out the blog article on how to register for the Rome Marathon (available here), which applies to all races in Italy.
For the Marathon:
80€ from 11/04/2024 to 03/30/2025
90€ from 04/01/2025 to 06/30/2025
105€ from 07/01/2025 to 08/31/2025
120€ from 09/01/2025
For the Half Marathon:
44€ from 11/04/2024 to 03/30/2025
50€ from 04/01/2025 to 06/30/2025
55€ from 07/01/2025 to 08/31/2025
60€ from 09/01/2025
For the 10 km:
32€ from 11/04/2024 to 03/30/2025
35€ from 04/01/2025 to 06/30/2025
39€ from 07/01/2025 to 08/31/2025
44€ from 09/01/2025
By registering for the Venice Marathon, you'll receive:
A bag with technical gadgets
A race bib and timing chip
Medical assistance, refreshments, and sponging stations along the course
Bag transport
Transportation to and from the race
An official program and informational materials
And if you cross the finish line, you'll also get:
A medal
A participation diploma to download from the event website
Your results sent via email
If you're the organizer of this race and want to enhance your page's content, claim it here.
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