© Wizz Air Milano Marathon
How to register for the Milan Marathon
Running a marathon in the heart of Milan means combining performance with an exceptional cultural experience in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Increasingly popular, the Wizz Air Milan Marathon is becoming a must-run event on the European spring calendar: a fast course, excellent organization, and a unique urban atmosphere blending historic landmarks with passionate crowds. The Milan marathon attracts both runners chasing personal bests and those looking for a memorable racing experience.
✓ How do you register for the Milan Marathon? Here’s everything you need to know to secure a bib and prepare your registration smoothly.
| An international race growing rapidly
Created in 2000, the Milan Marathon takes place every spring, usually in early April. The 2025 edition confirmed the event’s rapid growth, with more than 10,000 registered runners, including 56% international participants representing over 100 nationalities. Milan is now establishing itself as one of the most international marathons in Europe.
Alongside the main race, the UniCredit Relay Marathon plays a major role in fundraising. It has become the largest charity sports event in Italy, raising more than €1.8 million for nonprofit organizations.
| How to get a bib for the Milan Marathon
Registration for the Milan Marathon is done directly on the official website or Finishers, with no lottery or random draw.
Unlike many major European marathons, there are no performance-based entry quotas for amateur runners. Registration typically opens about one year before race day and operates on a simple principle: first come, first served. For the 2026 edition, organizers aim to set a new participation record with 15,000 marathon runners at the start, a nearly 30% increase compared to the previous year.
To ensure smoother race logistics, the start will now take place on the wide Corso Sempione avenue.
| How much does a Milan Marathon bib cost?
The Milan Marathon uses a progressive pricing system: the earlier you register, the cheaper the entry fee. Registration usually opens mid-April, just a few days after the previous edition, and the race often sells out several weeks before race day. For example, by early January 2026, more than 10,000 of the 15,000 bibs had already been allocated, highlighting the event’s growing popularity.
Entry fee tiers
➜ April 21 – June 30: €79
➜ July 1 – September 29: €89
➜ September 30 – December 31: €99
➜ January 1 – February 28: €109
➜ March 1 – April 3: €119
There are two official ways to register:
➜ The official Milan Marathon website
➜ Finishers (official partner)
To secure the best price and avoid disappointment, registering early is the best strategy. During registration, runners can also purchase cancellation insurance. The organizer offers a full refund if the request is made before February 6, and a partial refund after that date.
| The Runcard: is it required to run in Milan?
Italy has specific regulations through the Runcard, which can sometimes surprise international runners during registration. Participants fall into two race categories: competitive and sport tourism.
Italian runners living in Italy
Registration requires either:
✔ a FIDAL license (Italian athletics federation), or
✔ a valid Runcard, along with a medical certificate confirming fitness for competitive athletics.
Foreign runners living in Italy
✔ A Runcard is required unless the runner holds a recognized federation license.
Foreign runners living outside Italy
✔ A Runcard is not mandatory. Runners can participate in the “sport tourism” category by providing a medical certificate confirming fitness for competitive running. These runners will receive an official chip time but will not appear in the competitive ranking. Their official time will still be published online, but they cannot claim prizes—even if finishing in the top 8. We were told they can still qualify for other races with this type of registration.
Foreign runners with a Runcard
✔ It is possible to purchase a Runcard online to compete in the competitive category, allowing access to official rankings.
Foreign runners with an athletics federation license
✔ A valid athletics license from the runner’s home country is accepted for participation in certified Italian races.
The Runcard acts as a temporary annual license, including insurance and access to certified races in Italy. It must be purchased separately for €15 on runcard.com.
| Other ways to secure a bib
Besides the standard registration, the main alternative is to run for a charity through the relay marathon. This option guarantees entry while supporting a charitable cause. Milan is especially recognized for the strong social impact of its fundraising initiatives. Find out more on the official website.
| The course and the racing experience in Milan
The Milan Marathon is known as a fast course ideal for personal bests. The route is mostly flat, with only 70 meters of total elevation gain. It takes runners through some of the city’s most iconic landmarks: Sforza Castle, Porta Venezia, San Siro Stadium (Giuseppe Meazza), CityLife’s modern skyscrapers, Navigli distric before finishing spectacularly in front of the Milan Cathedral in the historic city center.
Official pacers cover a wide range of finishing times—from 3:00 to 6:30—and the start corrals are well structured based on runners’ target times. The cutoff time is 6 hours 30 minutes, with intermediate time limits.
The elite field also attracts strong international talent. In 2025, Leonard Langat from Kenya won in 2:08:38, while Ethiopian Shure Demise Ware clocked 2:23:31, the fastest women’s marathon time run in Italy that year.
Key information – Milan Marathon 2026
- Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
- Participants: 15,000 runners expected
- Elevation gain: 70 m (very fast course)
- Average temperature: 10°C – 15°C
- Goal: a fast course combined with a cultural city experience
- Price: from €79 (Runcard not included)
Accessible, fast, and highly international, the Milan Marathon checks all the boxes for runners looking for a major European race without the stress or uncertainty of a lottery. With its performance-friendly course, vibrant urban atmosphere, and festive crowd support, Milan is becoming a premier running destination. If you haven’t chosen your next marathon yet, the Milan Marathon definitely deserves a spot on your calendar.
✔ Full registration details are available here
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
