Vesuvius Ultra Marathon 2026

🌋 Volcano 🏞 Nature

Ottaviano (Province of Naples, Campania, Italy)View on map
Next event : Sat, September 19, 2026Date confirmed
Last event : Sat, May 31, 2025
12 km / 21 km / 43 km / 65 km
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The event in a few words

If you want to build up pressure like a lava pot ready to explode, this race is for you! In September, you'll be atop the Vesuvius, with your legs on fire 🔥 (maybe like the crater, but let's hope not 🤞). Okay, we'll admit, the Vesuvius is the only active volcano in continental Europe to erupt in the past hundred years 🫣. But don't worry, everything is under control 🧘. And honestly, hasn't everyone dreamed of running on an active volcano? 🤪 Imagine being able to say: “Yeah, I ran on Vesuvius. What did you do this weekend?” 🤓

If you want to challenge this fiery monster, you have four options depending on your level of craziness. If you're truly obsessed with trail running, aim for the "Vesuvio Ultra" of 65 km : 4,000 mD+ and 30 km to cover before even starting the ascent of the crater 📈. At this stage, you'll start hearing the lava roar to encourage you 💪. You can also test your limits on the "Vesuvio Marathon" of 43 km, with its 3,300 mD+, perfect if you want a big challenge 😎. If you're looking for something more reasonable but still intense, go for a softer version (but still "tosta" as the Italians say 🤌), the "Spartacus Trail" of 21 km and its 1,300 mD+ will let you taste the adventure without burning your wings 🪽. The little one 🤏, the "Vesuvio Short Trail" with its 12 km and 900 mD+, will take you to the foot of the volcano 🌋, enough to make all trail runners dream, even the most beginners ✨. Whatever distance you choose, you'll start from Ottaviano, a small village at the foot of the giant, then climb to the Vesuvius crater 🏞️. Up there, it's you, your legs, and a breathtaking view of the bay of Naples 👙. We agree, the challenge might be intimidating, but as we say here: "Chi non risica, non rosica" (nothing ventured, nothing gained 🤷‍♀️).

After that, get ready for Italian-style recovery! 🇮🇹 Because after challenging the Vesuvius, nothing beats a Neapolitan pizza 🍕(which costs around 5€ here 😋). If you think you know pizza, think again, this one will redefine your standards 🫠. If you prefer something sweet, stop by a local gelateria for artisanal ice cream 🤤, after 12 or 65 kilometers, it's a treat 🍦. Running in Napoli is also about diving into the Italian lifestyle and enjoying the Dolce Vita ✌️. Time for relaxation, you did climb Vesuvius after all! Grab a ristretto ☕️ on a terrace, take a dip 💦 in the Tyrrhenian Sea 🌊, sunbathe on the Gaiola beach, stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center 🌐... Farniente!

We hope you have a lot of time, because this place has many surprises for you! 😮 The night of your race, don't miss the comic opera 💃 La fille du Régiment by Donizetti at the Teatro di San Carlo, one of the world's most prestigious theaters 🎶. For a calmer break, head to the Santa Chiara Monastery ⛪️ with its beautiful colored tiles and Gothic architecture. If you're more of a team adventure, go discover the San Gennaro catacombs 👷, a mysterious network under the city, full of history and fascinating anecdotes 💀. Want a journey back in time? ⏱️ The Pompeii site, just a few minutes by train 🚂, offers you a trip to Antiquity 🏛️. Buried under the ashes of Vesuvius in 79 AD, this Roman city will give you chills with its incredibly well-preserved ruins 🙌.

And if you dream of a little paradise after your athletic feats 🤩, take the ferry and in 50 minutes, you'll be in Capri 🌴. Its crystalline waters and breathtaking landscapes are perfect for a post-race escape 🏃. Between the Grotta Azzurra 🪨, its breathtaking cliffs ⛰️ and magnificent beaches 🏖️, you're sure to leave with unforgettable memories 😍.

Come tread the lava on the trails of Vesuvius! 🤩

4 reasons to join this race

Challenge yourself in an amazing setting 🌋

Running on the slopes of an active volcano is a unique experience ☝️. You will never forget this challenge that will push you to give your best 🥵 between sweat, elevation, and breathtaking panoramas 🤩.

Discover Naples and its wonders 🌇

Besides the race, Naples will welcome you with its many cultural treasures 🏛️. Between an opera at Teatro di San Carlo 🎵, the tranquility of the Monastery of Santa Chiara ⛪️, the mysteries of Naples' undergrounds 🧐, and its gastronomy 🇮🇹, you'll have plenty of options. If you have a bit more time, take a detour to Pompeii or Capri ☀️.

Because you're not a chicken 💪

The Vesuvius Ultra-marathon, it's an active volcano, steep slopes, and your legs shaking 😜. Even if you've already conquered trails, this one will mark you for life 👀. The kind of epic race you'll talk about for years 🔥.

Experience the Dolce Vita 🇮🇹

After the effort, it's time to relax 🍹. Enjoy Italian gastronomy, with mouth-watering pizzas 🍕, artisanal ice cream 🍦, and homemade pasta 🧑‍🍳. Stroll through Naples' streets, have a coffee on a terrace, and enjoy the sun 🌞. It's not every day you get to stop time like this 💆‍♀️.

A distance for every taste

65 kmTOP
43 km
21 km
12 km

65 km : Vesuvio Ultra

TrailThe most popular

Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Elevation gain : 4000mD+
3 ITRA points
1 loopx65 km

A few more words

The "Vesuvio Ultra" is the longest and most demanding event, with 65 km and a positive elevation gain of 4,000 m 🥵. This course starts in Ottaviano, like the other races, but after 50 km, you will head towards Montagnella, a higher site ⛰️. You will face steep slopes and more technical volcanic terrains, sometimes very isolated 🧍. This course requires not only great physical endurance 💪, but also perfect energy management 💥. Liquid refreshments are available at kilometers 12, 30, and 56, and solid and liquid refreshments are offered at km 18, 35, 44 to give you a boost 🔋. Rescue points are also in place to ensure your safety ⛑️. This course is reserved for the most seasoned runners, looking for an extreme and unforgettable challenge 😍.

43 km : Vesuvio Marathon

Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Elevation gain : 3300mD+
3 ITRA points
1 loopx43 km

A few more words

The "Vesuvio Marathon" is a true endurance test with 3,300 m of elevation gain over 43 km 💥. Runners start from Ottaviano and cover 30 km before beginning the ascent of Vesuvius 🌋. The volcano section requires great physical endurance and good effort management, but we don’t doubt you! 💪 Liquid refreshments are available at kilometer 12, 30, and 36, and solid and liquid refreshments are planned at km 18 and 35 🔋. This course is perfect for experienced runners who want to test their limits 🫨.

21 km : Spartacus Trail

Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Elevation gain : 1300mD+
1 point ITRA
1 loopx21 km

A few more words

The "Spartacus Trail" is the shortest option of the event, ideal for those who want to experience the ascent of Vesuvius 🌋 with moderate difficulty 🏃‍♂️. This route of 21 km and 1,300 m of elevation gain starts in Ottaviano, the small town at the foot of the volcano. After leaving the town, you will take a side of the volcano to gradually climb to its summit 🔝. You then descend via another route ↩️. This trail combines technical sections and steep slopes, offering spectacular views of the Bay of Naples 😍. The first refreshment station is planned at km 15, with solid and liquid supplies 😋. You will also find a water point at km 10. This distance remains accessible, but be careful, the effort is still very intense 🥵.

12 km : Vesuvio Short Trail

Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Elevation gain : 900mD+

A few more words

A condensed version of the trail at the foot of the Vesuvius! This route follows the "Spartacus Trail" but without the ascent of the volcano 🌋. The event is therefore accessible to the greatest number to be able to touch the myth at the tip of your sneakers! 👟