The younger sibling of the historic Biella-Piedicavallo, a mountain running race in the upper Cervo Valley
The Campiglia-Piedicavallo, also known as the Asmara-Piedicavallo after its starting point, is a competitive road running race held in the municipality of Campiglia Cervo, in the province of Biella, in the heart of the Piedmontese mountains. The course is approximately 6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of about 300 meters, ending in Piedicavallo at the upper end of the picturesque Cervo Valley.
The race was created as a shorter, more accessible version of the historic Biella-Piedicavallo, a classic of the Biellese running scene which reached its 45th edition in 2026. Both competitions start simultaneously but from different locations: the long course (approx. 18.5 km with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain) begins in the center of Biella, while the short course starts from the Asmara hamlet in Campiglia Cervo. Both share the same finish line in Piazza Mologna in Piedicavallo, where athletes and fans gather for the awards ceremony.
The race traverses a captivating alpine landscape, featuring forests, streams, and stone villages typical of the Walser and Biellese traditions. The upper Cervo Valley is one of the most authentic areas of the Piedmontese mountains, just a stone's throw from Oasi Zegna, offering participants a natural setting that combines sport with local discovery.
The event is organized by A.S.D. GAC of Pettinengo and is a competitive event on the FIDAL Piedmont calendar, open to athletes registered with FIDAL, EPS, and Runcard, with a non-competitive option also available. The event is also linked to the Ismar Pasteris Memorial, reflecting the deep bond between the race and the local community.
For those who love mountain running and the landscapes of the Biellese Alps, the Campiglia-Piedicavallo is an ideal event: a short but intense race, perfect for discovering one of the most beautiful corners of the Biella province on the run.
The 2026 edition of the Campiglia-Piedicavallo took place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, starting from the Asmara hamlet in Campiglia Cervo and finishing in Piedicavallo. The race was initially scheduled for mid-March but was postponed due to bad weather and snow in the upper part of the valley.
The short race, approximately 6 km long with 300 meters of elevation gain, saw 57 athletes at the start, running simultaneously with the 45th Biella-Piedicavallo organized by GAC Pettinengo.
The race started at 10:00 AM from the Asmara hamlet in Campiglia Cervo, simultaneously with the long Biella-Piedicavallo. Finish and awards ceremony in Piedicavallo, in Piazza Mologna. The event also served as the 14th Ismar Pasteris Memorial.
In the 6 km short race, Roberto Di Pasquali (Gp Parco Alpi Apuane) won the men's category with a time of 21'30", and Federica Cerutti (Atletica Casone Noceto) won the women's category with 24'41", the latter improving the previous course record by about 90 seconds.
Campiglia Cervo can be reached by car from Biella by taking the SP100 up the Cervo Valley (approx. 25 minutes). The Asmara hamlet is the starting point for the short race. By train, the reference station is Biella San Paolo, from which you can continue by local transport or car.
Online registration is available via the iRunning platform; it is also possible to register on the morning of the race at the race office. A competitive medical certificate is required for the competitive category.
As this is a mountain course with elevation gain, trail or running shoes with good grip are recommended. Bring clothing suitable for the weather conditions of the upper valley, which can change rapidly.
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Frazione Asmara