AXT - Ascoli Xtreme Trail

Trail Running in the Heart of Piceno

The AXT - Ascoli Xtreme Trail is the benchmark event for trail running in Ascoli Piceno and throughout the Province of Ascoli Piceno, in southern Marche. It's not just a running race: it's a true immersion in the mountain landscapes surrounding the city, with a route that starts from the monumental Forte Malatesta, on Via delle Terme, crosses the charming travertine historic center of Ascoli, and then climbs the trails of Colle San Marco and Montagna dei Fiori.

"The Trail of Wonders"

The slogan chosen by the organizers is no coincidence: along the course, athletes will encounter some of the most fascinating places in the Ascoli area, from the Hermitage of San Marco nestled in the rock to the area of the characteristic caciare (ancient stone snow houses), passing through the Vallone del Vescovo and the Girella lake, up to the panoramic summit of Montagna dei Fiori. The routes wind entirely within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, on forest tracks, mule paths, wide trails, and single-track sections.

The Distances

The event offers three competitive races and one non-competitive event, designed to accommodate both ultra-trail specialists and those who simply want to experience the mountains at a walking pace:

• Croce Trail 40K — 40 km with 2500 meters of positive elevation gain, the main event;
• Caciara Trail 27K — 27 km with 1500 meters of positive elevation gain;
• Eremo Trail 15K — 15 km with 900 meters of positive elevation gain;
• Eco Walk — approximately 9 km non-competitive, open to all.

The races are run under semi-self-sufficiency rules, with aid stations distributed along the routes and a final refreshment with a pasta party, showers, and a race pack for participants in the competitive events.

Who Organizes

The event is organized by Avis Ascoli Marathon in collaboration with Flipper Triathlon Ascoli, with the support of the Municipal Administration of Ascoli Piceno. The AXT is part of the Adriatic Series Running circuit, which brings together the main trail and road running races of the Adriatic coast. Over the years, the event has also attracted the attention of national sports groups: in 2025, the Provincial Command of the Firefighters of Ascoli Piceno chose the 15 km route as the venue for the Italian Championship of the specialty, a sign of the growing importance of the event in the Italian trail running scene.