https://www.venicenighttrail.it/
Venice hasn't always been the beautiful and serene city that draws millions of tourists annually… 🏖️ No, in the 12th century, Venice was a true Empire ruling the world, with colonies in Greece, Constantinople, Bruges, and even London! In short, Venice was a Roman Empire 2.0! 🔱 It's said that the best merchants, the finest soldiers ⚔️, and certainly the greatest trails 🏃♂️ were found in Venice.
Were they really the best trails? Absolutely, Jamy! 🤓 In ancient times, if you wanted to be considered the Julius Caesar of running, Venice was the place to be! 😅 And that's still true today! Each year, top runners compete in the Venice Night Trail! 🌙 Held in early April at nightfall ✨, this 16 km trail gathers the 5,000 greatest athletes of the Empire! 💪 They will all navigate through the most iconic neighborhoods of Venice seeking the same reward: to leave their mark in Venice's history and win the gold medal! 🇮🇹 Many are expected to clock in excellent times ⏱ as the course is very fast with minimal elevation. No Mount Olympus to conquer today! ❌
Get your headlamp ready, as the start is just after sunset 🌇. The weather should be perfect in early April, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 18°C! ☀️ Everything seems set for a great sporting event! 🏃♂️
What about the course? You're in for an absolutely divine route as you'll get to circle Venice! 🤯 Running along the Venetian coast, you'll never lose sight of the sea 🌊! Only the moon will light your way! 🔦 The starting and finishing point of your race will be at the Port of Venice 📍. You’ll have the chance to dash through the district of Cannaregio, an area untouched by tourism where most Venetians live! You'll also traverse the heart of Venice's tourist area as you pass through Castello and San Marco 🏘️, two neighborhoods that feature the city's most iconic sites like the Doge's Palace 🏛️ and St. Mark’s Square! 🤩 Finally, you'll cross the beautiful Marina di Venezia for a triumphant finish, cheered by the crowd! 🥳 Midway through, there are refreshment stations with water and biscuits to recharge your energy! ⚡️
And after the race, what next? In Venice, there's plenty to see and do! But if you want to wander off the beaten path, we recommend heading to the Rialto Market 🍽️ where Venetians shop for fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables! 🐟 If you've got some energy left after the run, rent a bike 🚲, hop on the ferry ⛴️, and visit Sant’Erasmo Island 🏝️, a magical island with beautiful beaches and stunning natural landscapes 🌅 just an hour from Venice!
Are you ready for this adventure? 😎
Your race will start at the Port of Venice, right by the pleasure boats! 🚤 From there, you'll head towards the Constitution Bridge, one of the four major bridges built over Venice's Grand Canal. Next, you'll make your way to the northern part of the city, skirting the sea and crossing no less than 51 bridges 🤯. As you move eastward, you'll get the chance to admire the San Pietro di Castello Basilica and explore Venice's historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 🌍. Finally, you'll run alongside the di San Nicolò canal before returning to where your journey began, back at the city's Port 🚩.
The race kicks off at 9 PM. For safety reasons, participants must run with a headlamp.
Get ready for an ultra-smooth course! You'll have the chance to tour Venice and cross around fifty bridges.
Weather conditions should be ideal at the beginning of April, with temperatures ranging between 10 and 18°C (50 to 64°F).
Midway through the course, you'll find refreshment stations offering water and cookies to recharge your energy.
All details regarding the starting point can be found at the following link: https://www.venicenighttrail.it/en/16k-en#course
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