BOclassic — International New Year's Eve Race

The BOclassic, the race that closes the year in Bolzano

The BOclassic — International New Year's Eve Race is one of the most famous running events in Italy and Europe. Every December 31st, the historic center of Bolzano, the capital of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen in Trentino-Alto Adige, turns into a race loop that winds through the city's most picturesque spots: Piazza Walther, the historic Via dei Portici, and Piazza delle Erbe. The official circuit measures 1,250 meters and is repeated several times depending on the category.

A half-century of history

Inspired by the famous Brazilian Saint Silvester Road Race, the event was born in 1975 as the first New Year's Eve running race on the European continent. In 1996, it adopted its current name, BOclassic South Tyrol. Organized by the Läufer Club Bozen Raiffeisen, the race is recognized by World Athletics and has become a global showcase for middle-distance running over the years, broadcast live on Rai Sport.

The races and the course

The program includes events for all levels. The elite races are the highlight: men tackle 10 km (8 laps of the circuit), while women run 5 km (4 laps). Alongside the professionals, there is the Pensplan Centrum Just for Fun non-competitive run, the 5 km Ladurner amateur race, and the Raiffeisen Youth Trophy reserved for younger runners.

World-class champions

Over the years, the BOclassic has hosted Olympic and world champions. In the latest edition, Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha set a new event record, while Italy's own Nadia Battocletti secured victory in the women's race, confirming the event's international prestige and its strong bond with the South Tyrolean public.

A year-end ritual

More than just a race, the BOclassic is a collective ritual through which the city of Bolzano bids farewell to the passing year. Thousands of spectators crowd the streets of the center, amidst the festive atmosphere of Christmas lights and sporting enthusiasm, to cheer on elite athletes and amateur runners under the winter sky of South Tyrol.