Venice Urban Trail 2025

Venice wasn’t always the serene and magnificent city that draws millions of tourists every year 🏖... No! In the 12th century, Venice was a true Empire that dominated the world, establishing its colonies in Greece, Constantinople, Bruges, and even London! In short, Venice was essentially a Roman Empire 2.0 🔱! It’s said that Venice was home to the best merchants, the fiercest soldiers ⚔️, and, most importantly, the finest trails! 🏃‍♂️

The best trails, really? Yes, indeed! In ancient times, if you wanted to be seen as the Jules Caesar of running, Venice was the place to be! 😅 And that’s still true today! Every year, the top runners compete in the Venice Night Trail 🌙! Held at the beginning of April as the night falls ✨, this 16 KM trail gathers the 5,000 most elite athletes of the Empire ⚡️! They will tread through the most iconic neighborhoods of Venice seeking the same reward: to make history in Venice and to claim the gold medal 🇮🇹! Many are expected to clock in impressive times as the course is very smooth with minimal elevation. No Mount Olympus to climb today!

Get your headlamp ready, for the race starts just after sunset ✨! And, the weather promises to be ideal in early April with temperatures ranging from 10 to 18°C ☀️! All in all, every condition is poised to make this race a memorable sporting event! 🏃‍♂️

So, what about the course? You're in for a divine journey, because you'll have the chance to tour Venice 🇮🇹! Following the Venetian coast, you'll never lose sight of the sea 🌊! Only the moon will light your way 🌙! Your race will start and finish at the port of Venice. You'll have the privilege of running through the most authentic neighborhoods of Venice, including Cannaregio, a locale preserved from mass tourism where most Venetians live! You'll also run through the heart of tourist Venice as you pass by Castello and San Marco, two districts hosting the city’s most iconic sites like the Doge's Palace 🏛 and the St. Mark's Square! Finally, you'll cross the splendid Venice Marina for a triumphant finish, cheered on by the crowd 🥳!

Midway through the race, there will be refreshments with water and biscuits to recharge your energy ⚡️!

And after the race, what's next? In Venice, there's plenty to see and do! However, if you're looking to get off the beaten path and skip the touristy tours, we recommend you check out the Rialto Market where Venetians typically go to stock up on fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables 🐟! Or, if you still have some energy left after the race, why not rent a bike 🚲, take the ferry ⛴, and head to Sant’Erasmo Island 🏝, a magical place where you can enjoy the beach and stunning natural landscapes 🌅... just an hour from Venice!

“Veni, Vidi, Vici,” Jules Caesar.