Agropoli Paestum Half Marathon

The half marathon that unites the sea of Agropoli with the temples of Paestum

The Agropoli Paestum Half Marathon is the benchmark race for running in the Cilento region: 21.097 kilometers of flat asphalt starting from the center of Agropoli, in the province of Salerno, and heading toward the Sele plain to brush against the archaeological site of Paestum, in the municipality of Capaccio Paestum. It is one of the few Italian half marathons where the landscape changes dramatically during the race: you start in front of the sea, beneath the promontory of the old town of Agropoli, traverse the countryside of the plain, and run just a short distance from the walls of ancient Poseidonia, with the temples of Hera and Neptune providing a monumental backdrop.

A national race hosted by Atletica Libertas Agropoli

The event is organized by A.S.D. Atletica Libertas Agropoli (FIDAL code SA154), led by president Roberto Funicello, and is included in the national FIDAL calendar for road races, featuring an A-type certified course. This is not just a formality: it means that times achieved in Agropoli count as official personal bests and for federal rankings, which is one of the reasons the race attracts elite athletes year after year, alongside a large field of master and amateur runners. Junior, promise, senior, and master categories are all welcome, both male and female.

The course: single loop, flat and traffic-free

The route consists of a single loop on flat asphalt roads between the territories of Agropoli and Capaccio Paestum, with start and finish in Agropoli, on Via Risorgimento. The entire course is completely closed to vehicular traffic: a demanding organizational choice that makes the race smooth and safe, highly appreciated by those chasing personal records. The maximum time allowed to complete the distance is 3 hours and 30 minutes. The times speak for themselves: on the final straight in Agropoli, the top runners regularly finish in under one hour and six minutes.

• Distance: 21.097 km, FIDAL-certified half marathon.
• Elevation: flat course, single loop.
• Municipalities crossed: Agropoli and Capaccio Paestum.
• Start and finish: Via Risorgimento, Agropoli city center.
• Time limit: 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Also featuring a 10-kilometer fitwalking event

Alongside the competitive race, the organizers offer a 10-kilometer non-competitive fitwalking event with a reduced entry fee. This format allows walkers, families, and casual enthusiasts to experience the atmosphere of the sporting morning without tackling the full half marathon. Together, the two events turn race Sunday into a festival that brings the seafront and city center streets to life.

In the spirit of Pietro Mennea

For several editions, the Cilento race has also taken on a commemorative value, linking itself to the memory of Pietro Mennea, the «Arrow of the South», a symbol of Italian athletics and sports in the South. Manuela Olivieri Mennea, the champion's wife, participates in the event, and the tribute to the athlete has become one of the most heartfelt moments of the day, immediately following the awards ceremony.

Agropoli, Cilento, and Paestum: running in a UNESCO setting

The charm of the race also lies in its setting. Agropoli is the northern gateway to Cilento, with its historic center perched on a promontory, the Angevin-Aragonese castle, and beaches overlooking the Gulf of Salerno; just a few kilometers to the north lies the archaeological site of Paestum, a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. Running from a clear sea toward three 5th-century BC Doric temples is an experience that has few equivalents in Campania, which explains why the Half Marathon has become a staple in the travel plans of runners from all over Italy and abroad.

How to participate

Registration for the half marathon is reserved for athletes registered according to FIDAL regulations and recognized sports promotion bodies, and must be completed online via the portal indicated by the organizers; entry fees increase as the date approaches, so it is best to register early. The 10-kilometer fitwalking event has a significantly lower fee. Regulations and updated information are published on the Atletica Libertas Agropoli website.