What to do in Verona on marathon weekend?

What to do in Verona before the starting gun? 🎟️

The Verona Marathon is run on a Sunday, but the weekend kicks off on Friday, November 13, 2026. First stop: the expo village, at the Pala Magis (PalaOlimpia), Piazzale Atleti Azzurri d’Italia 1. Bibs can be picked up on Friday from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday from 6:30am to 8am for the forgetful 😅 .

The price climbs with the calendar: €99 until Wednesday, November 11, 2026, then €109 on site on Friday and Saturday. As for paperwork, foreign runners present their federation membership or the Runcard, which this article explains step by step. To compare marathons around the world, a detour to Marathons.com is a must.

On Saturday, head to the historic center at an easy pace. The Piazza Bra is home to the Roman arena, among the best preserved in the world, and it will host your finish line the next day 🏛️ . Scout the area, count your steps, spare your calves: they will have work to do.

A detour to Juliet's House, turned into a museum in 1905, is worth a look. Its balcony attracts lovers from around the world, even though William Shakespeare never set foot in Verona. The city of Romeo and Juliet blends Roman stones and medieval alleyways: a dream setting for the eve of a race.

Sunday, November 15: how does the race unfold? 🏟️

The Corso Porta Nuova gives the signal: the half marathon starts at 8am, the marathon at 9am, and the roughly 7 km "Family Run" at 11am. A free shuttle runs continuously between the expo, the start and the finish 🚌 . Drop off your bag before 8:30am at the baggage trucks, using the official bag and with no valuables.

The Verona Marathon, a.k.a. Verona Run Marathon, boasts two circuits on its résumé: the World Marathon Majors Qualifiers and the Boston Marathon qualifying races. Its slogan, "All roads lead to the Arena", keeps its word: you finish on Piazza Bra, at the foot of the arena. Elevation ranges from 57 to 71 m, a fast, rolling course tailored for chasing a personal best.

After the start, you run along the Adige to the Diga del Chievo, before a turnaround at Parona at km 11. You return via Castelvecchio, then cross the historic center near the Piazza delle Erbe (km 20), exit through the Porta Vescovo and loop around San Martino Buon Albergo between km 27 and 34. A gentle uphill stretches from km 30 to km 38, right on the 30 km wall. It stings, but the final push toward the arena gets your legs going again 🏁 .

The Giovanni Duca barracks, at km 36, opens its doors with an aid station run by soldiers. The cutoff time is 6 hours, with a checkpoint at km 20 before 11:50am. Italians know the tune of a great finish since Stefano Baldini, Olympic marathon champion in Athens in 2004.

Pasta, pizza or Valpolicella: how to celebrate the medal? 🍷

Medal around your neck 🥇 , head to the terraces. Veronese menus line up pasta and pizza, enough to refill your glycogen stores without guilt. Italian gastronomy can be tasted here on every corner of every square, and a glass of red on the Piazza delle Erbe is worth an energy gel.

On Monday, stiff legs won't stop you from strolling. Walk under the Porta Borsari, then end your stroll like a king on the Piazza dei Signori. The exceptional monuments follow one another on foot, ideal for calves that still remember the 42 km.

The vineyards of Valpolicella, glimpsed near Parona during the race, can be visited without a bib or a clock. Culture and history, wine and cuisine: Verona ticks every box for a curious runner's weekend.

Want to do it again? Discover the other marathons in Italy or explore Veneto to plan your next getaway.