THE VENICE MARATHON
Starting in Stra, opposite Villa Pisani, this race continues along the course of the Brenta Riviera and ends in Venice, making it Italy’s most spectacular marathon. The Venice Marathon is a long-distance running event (42,195 Km) that has been recognised by IAAF and certified with a Bronze Label. It is run along a course which is unique in its kind. Every kilometer is rich in charm and beauty, from the starting point at Villa Pisani, to the Riviera and its Villas and the ending point in Venice passing over the Bridge of Boats, through St. Mark’s Square, and by the Bell Tower and Palazzo Ducale. The Venice marathon is a race which, after all these years, still exerts a pull on athletes and spectators alike thanks to the many benefits that it offers. The race also consists of smaller events such as the Family Run, a non-competitive run organised in various localities of the province of Venice and which brings together young children, families, but also sports enthusiasts who want to spend a day steeped in history and culture. It is indeed an appointment for everyone thanks to the numerous events that precede and accompany a race which is televised all over the world.
DOGI’S HALF MARATHON
They say of the Dogi’s Half Marathon that its charm lies in its unique course that changes every year., but at the same time retains excellent features which so strongly appeal to participants. This half marathon has been held in spring since the second half of the 20th century and covers 21,097 kilometres. Every year on the first Sunday of April, thousands of athletes get together and follow its ellipse-shaped course to run along the river Naviglio del Brenta. The uniqueness of this unmissable event is also that it develops along 19 villas – the true treasures of the Land of the Dogi. “A run through history and nature”, claims one of the Dogi’s Half Marathon slogans, and most certainly, couldn’t exist a more accurate way to describe it. Set over a flat course, the race passes through four of Venice’s Monicipalities (“comuni“): Mira, Dolo, Fiesso d’Artico and Stra. Every year the itinerary has a different start and end, a distinctive feature which gives the athletes the impression of always running along a new and evocative course.
THE MARCH OF THE SARMATIANS
Sarmati’s March takes place every year on the second Sunday of June; it starts in Stra before heading to Vigonovo and through the parks of some of the most famous villas of the Brenta Riviera. One of its most distinctive features is that it cuts through five parks of historical villas: Villa Pisani, Villa Foscarini Rossi, Villa Loredan, Villa de Lazara Pisani – La Barbariga and Villa Sagredo. That is not its only peculiarity as it courses through Saramazza Park, the Idrovia, Villa Vecchio Platano, Brenta, Piovego, Naviglio and Tergola. Runners will have the chance to meet actors dressed up in traditional Venetian costumes in the Villas’ parks and to take part in a true treasure hunt. Participants can win points by playing the various games of the “Sarma Color Game” and, after each of them, they will collect the trading cards necessary to win the game. The games consist of obstacle courses and activities with coloured powders.
