Angelo Custode Trophy (running)
The road race that kicks off the Patron Saint festival in Priolo Gargallo
About Angelo Custode Trophy
A local race in the heart of Eastern Sicily
The Angelo Custode Trophy is one of the most cherished running events in the town of Priolo Gargallo, an industrial and coastal hub in the province of Syracuse, Sicily. Every year, on the last Sunday of September, the town's streets fill with athletes and enthusiasts for a morning entirely dedicated to road running. The event is organized by ASD Atletica Priolo, in collaboration with ASD 5k Floridia Marathon, and is part of the Syracuse Provincial Running Grand Prix calendar, the circuit that awards provincial category titles.
The course and categories
The race is held on a completely flat one-kilometer city circuit, which is repeated several times depending on the category. The start and finish are set in Piazza Quattro Canti, in the heart of Priolo Gargallo, next to the church dedicated to the Guardian Angel (Angelo Custode). The distance varies based on age group and gender: from two kilometers for the youngest participants to eight kilometers for the men's absolute categories, and five kilometers for the women's races. This circuit format makes the race highly spectacular for the public, who can follow the athletes at every pass along the town center streets.
Sport and religious tradition
The Angelo Custode Trophy is more than just a sports competition: it is the moment that opens the calendar of Patron Saint celebrations in Priolo Gargallo. The Guardian Angel is the town's protector, honored between late September and early October with processions, firecrackers, fireworks, and a long-standing popular tradition rooted in the autumn agricultural cycle. The race, along with the namesake cycling trophy, serves as a sporting prologue to one of the most vibrant weeks of the year for the local community.
An event for the entire Syracuse running scene
As part of the Provincial Grand Prix, the race attracts sports clubs and runners from across the province of Syracuse and neighboring areas of Eastern Sicily, ranging from youth categories to seasoned masters. It is a free event for the public, transforming the center of Priolo Gargallo for a few hours into a large running loop, filled with cheers, awards ceremonies, and the festive atmosphere that precedes the Patron Saint's celebration.
Angelo Custode Trophy — edition 2026
11th edition — September 27, 2026
The eleventh edition of the Angelo Custode Trophy will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Priolo Gargallo. The race is a qualifying event for the 19th Syracuse Provincial Running Grand Prix and is organized by ASD Atletica Priolo in partnership with the 5k Floridia Marathon.
The race takes place on the usual flat one-kilometer city circuit, to be repeated multiple times depending on the category, with the start and finish in Piazza Quattro Canti. As every year, participants are expected to gather in the morning to collect their bibs, with staggered starts for each category. The detailed race guide with final schedules, distances by age group, and awards will be published on the Syracuse Provincial Running Grand Prix website in the weeks leading up to the race.
The Trophy, along with the namesake cycling race, kicks off the celebrations for the Patron Saint Angelo Custode of Priolo Gargallo.
Programme Angelo Custode Trophy 2026
The detailed race guide for the 2026 edition (final start times by category and awards) will be published by the organization on the Syracuse Provincial Running Grand Prix website in the weeks preceding the race.
Typical race structure
- Morning gathering and bib collection in Piazza Quattro Canti
- Staggered starts by category on a flat 1 km city circuit to be repeated
- Variable distances by category: from 2 km for the youngest to 8 km for the men's absolute categories, 5 km for women's races
- Start and finish in Piazza Quattro Canti, in front of the Angelo Custode church
Highlights Angelo Custode Trophy 2026
Prices Angelo Custode Trophy 2026
Practical information — Angelo Custode Trophy
Location
Start and finish in Piazza Quattro Canti, in the center of Priolo Gargallo (SR), next to the Angelo Custode church.
How to get there
By car: Priolo Gargallo can be reached via the A18/SS114 motorway along the coast between Syracuse and Augusta. The Priolo Gargallo train station is served by the Syracuse-Catania-Messina line.
Registration and information
The race is reserved for athletes registered according to the regulations of the Syracuse Provincial Running Grand Prix. Participants meet in Piazza Quattro Canti on the morning of the race to collect their bibs. Programs, regulations, and awards details are published on the Syracuse Provincial Running Grand Prix website.
Costs
Participation is free for the public; registration fees for athletes apply according to the event regulations.
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Where does it take place — Angelo Custode Trophy
Piazza Quattro Canti
Piazza Quattro Canti, 96010 Priolo Gargallo