City of Vineyards Trophy

An evening run through the Alburni vineyards

The City of Vineyards Trophy is a road race held in Aquara, a town of just over 1,200 inhabitants perched at an altitude of 500 meters in the province of Salerno, Campania. The event takes place in the first half of August, in the heart of the Cilento summer, and has quickly established itself as one of the most popular races in the Alburni area. The formula is simple and effective: the race is held in the late afternoon, when the heat subsides and the golden light illuminates the village stone, following a loop that traverses the most scenic streets of the town and overlooks the Calore valley.

The Course

The course, entirely on asphalt, measured approximately 8 kilometers in its original 2024 version and was extended to 10.4 kilometers in 2025. The start and finish are located in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the heart of Aquara, from which the race winds through the alleys of the historic center before heading out into the surrounding vineyards. It is a varied course with climbs and false flats that reward those who can manage the elevation changes: not a circuit for personal bests, but a technical and scenic challenge.

• Distance: approx. 8 km in 2024, 10.4 km in 2025
• Start and Finish: Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Aquara
• Surface: asphalt road, hilly terrain
• Time: late afternoon (7:00 PM in 2024, 6:30 PM in 2025)

Organization

The event is promoted by ASD Atletica Libertas Agropoli, a historic Cilento running club, under the direction of Roberto Funicello and with the moral patronage of the Municipality of Aquara. Support from the BCC of Aquara and local wineries completes the list of partners. The race is held under the aegis of FIDAL: rankings are managed by the Salerno Judges Group and published on the Camelot Sport platform.

How to Participate

The race is open to men and women holding a FIDAL, Runcard, Runcard EPS, or recognized sports promotion body membership, along with a valid medical certificate for competitive sports. In previous editions, the entry fee was 10 euros, with the possibility of registering on the day at the desk set up in Piazza Vittorio Veneto until shortly before the start. Alongside the competitive race, there is space for those who prefer to walk the loop: the run-and-walk formula opens the event to families and casual enthusiasts.

The Prizes: Wine as a Trophy

The race's name is no coincidence. Aquara is a land of vineyards, and the awards for the top finishers include bottles from local labels — Vino Martino and Vino Marchione — alongside trophies and a commemorative medal for all participants. It is a direct way to link sport with the agricultural production that defines the town, and one more reason to stay for dinner after the finish line.

Aquara and the Cilento National Park

The Municipality of Aquara is partially located within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is crossed by the Calore Lucano river, a tributary of the Sele. From the village viewpoint, on clear days, the view stretches from Mount Gelbison to the sea and sometimes even to the island of Capri. Visitors arriving for the race will find much more than just a run: a stone village, natural springs fed by Alburni waters, hiking trails, and a gastronomic tradition of bread, cheese, and wine. During the same period, the Pro Loco enlivens the streets with the summer festival "Radici Arte e Sapori" (Roots, Art and Flavors), featuring folk music, dance, and food stands: two different but complementary events that together fill the August evenings of the town.

Looking towards the 2026 edition

As of the writing of this page, the organization has not yet released the official date or regulations for the 2026 edition. Given that the first two editions were both held on August 10th, the event is expected to take place in the first half of the month: it is advisable to check the announcements from ASD Atletica Libertas Agropoli and the Municipality of Aquara channels before planning your trip, as registrations usually open only a few weeks in advance.