The Italy Half Marathon – Enzo Ferrari Memorial Returns in 2026
In the heart of a region synonymous with motorsport, the Italy Half Marathon – Enzo Ferrari Memorial is making its comeback in 2026 after a highly successful debut in 2025. The route stretches between Maranello and Modena, offering runners a setting unlike any other. It took only one edition for the event to win over the public.
From the start, the Italy Half Marathon – Enzo Ferrari Memorial set itself apart in the world of road racing. Its course runs through locations deeply linked to both the history of motorsport and the life of Enzo Ferrari himself. The organizers’ ambition is clear: to create an inclusive, community-driven event combining top-level performance, popular celebration, and meaningful local engagement.
The 2026 edition—scheduled for Sunday, March 29—builds on the strong foundations of its inaugural year while reinforcing its social commitments, including funding new sports facilities in the towns along the route. All at full speed, very much in the spirit of the Prancing Horse emblem.
| A Strong Debut in 2025
The first edition, held on March 30, 2025, drew an impressive 10,000 participants—remarkable numbers for a new event. Of these, 4,000 runners took part in the non-competitive 5 km and 10 km races, highlighting the event’s mass appeal. The half marathon podium was dominated by Kenyan athletes: Emmanuel Wafula took the win in 59:20, ahead of Cosmas Boi (1:00:07) and Simon Ekidor (1:01:23). Gladys Cherop topped the field in 1:08:23, followed by Ludwina Chepngetich (1:09:16) and Italian runner Sara Bottarelli (1:12:15). Beyond the results, the first edition stood out for its exclusive access. For the first time ever, Ferrari opened areas usually closed to the public: the private Fiorano test track, several internal factory roads, and sections of the industrial complex normally reserved for technical teams. All 10,000 runners had the chance to run inside the very heart of Ferrari’s history. The event also revives a legacy: the historic Italy Marathon, held in Carpi (in the province of Modena) from 1999 to 2017. The new Ferrari-branded race picks up that torch with a deliberately accessible format. Three distances will be offered again in 2026:
- – 21.097 km half marathon from Maranello (starting in front of the Ferrari Museum) to Modena
– 10 km (start and finish at the Ferrari Museum)
– 5 km (start and finish at the Ferrari Museum)
The course is designed to be fast, smooth, and open to every type of runner.
| A Project That Gives Back to the Region
The race enjoys strong support—not only from Ferrari but also from the Emilia-Romagna regional authorities and the municipalities of Maranello, Fiorano Modenese, Formigine, and Modena. It is a truly local project, shaped in partnership with the surrounding communities.
For the 2026 edition, organizers reaffirmed a major commitment: once operating costs are covered, all registration fees and partner contributions will be reinvested in concrete sports projects in the towns on the race route.
The goal is simple: to expand access to sports by developing new local infrastructure. It’s an admirable initiative that could inspire other races worldwide as running continues to grow in popularity.
Thanks to the 10,000 runners of the 2025 edition, the first major achievement is set to be completed in the first half of 2026: a modular multisport court in Maranello’s Sports Park (see illustration below). A strong turnout and a strong return—running giving back to the community. Bello!

| 2026 Race Info
If you love motorsport, are a fan of the Ferrari Scuderia, or simply want to experience the charm of northern Italy, the 2026 Italy Half Marathon – Enzo Ferrari Memorial is the perfect occasion. The inclusion of the 5 km and 10 km distances makes it accessible to everyone. The 2026 event will take place on Sunday, March 29, 2026, the same day as the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix—where Ferrari will, of course, be competing.
All race distances are open to Paralympic athletes. One of the emblematic figures of the event is Italian Paralympic marathon champion Rita Cuccuru (pictured below in Ferrari colors), gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. She ran the race in 2025 and shared her experience on the official website: “I’m originally from Sardinia, but Maranello has adopted me. My sporting background includes para-cycling and para-triathlon, but two years ago I also started running, and the atmosphere in this sport is truly unique. I hope the race attracts even more people next year. In 2025, I felt an incredible emotional rush when I entered the Ferrari grounds—I looked up and realized what a symbolic moment it was. I finished in 53 minutes, and I hope to improve my time in the next edition.”

✓ Explore the full calendar of running events in Italy

Charles-Emmanuel PEAN
Journaliste