Best marathons in Italy: 5 races to target in 2027

In Italy, a marathon is also a guided tour: the Colosseum in Rome, the Grand Canal in Venice, the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Milan adds a fast spring course, and Lake Garda a mountain backdrop. Here are the 5 best marathons in Italy for 2027, with dates, courses and entry.

Contents

1. The 5 best marathons in Italy
2. Which Italian marathon should you choose?
3. How to prepare for a marathon in Italy
4. FAQ

The 5 best marathons in Italy

1. Rome Marathon: running among the monuments

Run Rome The Marathon starts at the Imperial Fora and passes the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, the Circus Maximus, the Tiber embankments, Castel Sant’Angelo and Via della Conciliazione, facing St Peter’s Basilica. In 2026, entries sold out four months before race day for the first time, and the race now ranks among the ten biggest marathons in the world.

• Date: Sunday 14 March 2027
• Entry: open on the official website. Given the 2026 sell-out, sign up early.
• Organisation: a new group of organisers has been appointed for the 2027 to 2031 editions.
• Best for: runners who want a spectacular early-spring marathon more than a fast time.

2. Milan Marathon: the fast spring option

The Milano Marathon changed format in 2026: a point-to-point course from Corso Sempione, near the Arch of Peace, to Piazza del Duomo. That year, Vitalis Kibiwott won in 2:06:35 and Yeshi Kalayu Chekole in 2:20:15. More than 15,000 runners entered the marathon, and about 16,000 more ran the relay.

• Date: Sunday 4 April 2027 (25th edition)
• Entry: online only, until 31 March 2027 at 11:59pm. No entry on site.
• Good to know: you must turn 20 in the race year and provide a licence, a Runcard or a medical certificate before collecting your bib. Full refund until 31 January 2027 with the optional €10 insurance.
• Best for: runners chasing a spring PB in a big city.

3. Venice Marathon: a Grand Canal finish

The Venicemarathon starts at Villa Pisani in Stra, follows the Riviera del Brenta, crosses Mestre and then the Ponte della Libertà into Venice. The final kilometres pass the Zattere and Punta della Dogana, cross the Grand Canal on a 166 m floating bridge, loop around St Mark’s Square and finish on the Riva dei Sette Martiri. In 2026, for the 40th edition, 10,200 runners entered the marathon, about 70% from abroad.

• Date: late October (the 2026 edition was on 25 October).
• Distances: marathon, 21.1 km and 10.7 km
• Good to know: the course has lots of small bridges in Venice near the end: save some energy.
• Best for: runners who want the most spectacular finish in Europe.

4. Florence Marathon: the Renaissance in 42 km

The Firenze Marathon starts and finishes in Piazza del Duomo. The course passes the Cascine park, the Oltrarno district, the Arno embankments, the Ponte Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. In 2025, a record 13,200 runners entered, half of them from abroad.

• Date: late November (the 2026 edition is on 29 November).
• Distances: marathon and 10K
• Entry: on the official race website.
• Best for: a last marathon of the season, with a cultural weekend thrown in.

5. Lake Garda 42: the Lake Garda marathon

Lake Garda 42 runs on fully closed roads along the northern shore of Lake Garda, between the lake and the mountains. It has become very popular: for 2027, all 5,000 places went in four days, and the marathon sold out about three days after opening.

• Date: weekend of 9-11 April 2027 (6th edition)
• Entry: sold out for 2027.
• Distances: marathon (LG42) and half marathon (LG21)
• Best for: runners who want postcard scenery and sign up the moment entries open.

Which Italian marathon should you choose?

Race	2027 date	Season	Main highlight	Entry
Rome	14 March	Spring	Colosseum, St Peter’s	Open (sold out early in 2026)
Milan	4 April	Spring	Fast course, Duomo finish	Open until 31 March 2027
Lake Garda 42	9-11 April	Spring	Lake and mountains	Sold out
Venice	Late October	Autumn	Grand Canal finish	Official website
Florence	Late November	Autumn	Duomo, Ponte Vecchio	Official website

Rome and Milan are three weeks apart: choose Rome for the experience, Milan for the time. In autumn, Venice and Florence are a month apart.

How to prepare for a marathon in Italy

• Allow 16 to 20 weeks. For Rome in mid-March, start in late October or early November. For Venice in late October, start in June.
• Sort your paperwork. In Italy, a medical certificate or licence is usually required before you collect your bib: check your race rules when you enter.
• Work on your marathon pace. In Milan and Florence, even pacing makes your time. Calculate your split times and practise holding them.
• Save energy for the end. Cobbles in Rome and Florence, small bridges in Venice: the final kilometres need focus.

A plan built around your race date

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FAQ

What is the biggest marathon in Italy?

Rome. In 2026, entries sold out four months before race day, and the race ranks among the ten biggest marathons in the world.

Which Italian marathon is best for a PB?

Milan, in April: a fast city course, won in 2:06:35 in 2026.

Do I need a medical certificate to run a marathon in Italy?

Usually, yes: in Milan, for example, you must provide a licence, a Runcard or a medical certificate before collecting your bib. Check each race’s rules.

Can I still enter Lake Garda 42 in 2027?

No, the 2027 edition is sold out: all 5,000 places went in four days. Note the opening date for 2028 entries.

Want to compare with other countries? Read our best marathons in Germany and our top 10 flattest marathons.

Ready to race in Italy? Start your 7-day free trial and let RunMotion Coach build your plan all the way to race day.

Updated 28 October 2026.