Conad Notturna di San Giovanni

One of Italy's oldest races

The Conad Notturna di San Giovanni is much more than just a race: it is a tradition that has been renewed in Florence without interruption since 1938, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious road races in Italy. Part of the official calendar of celebrations for Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence, the event combines sport, history, and civic devotion into a single June evening, when the Tuscan capital honors its saint with a historical pageant, a floral display, and the famous "Fochi" fireworks at Piazzale Michelangelo.

Running by night in the heart of Florence

What makes this race unforgettable is the setting: it starts at 9:00 PM from the steps of the Duomo in Piazza San Giovanni, right next to the Baptistery and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The 9.9 km course winds through the most evocative streets and squares of the historic center, closed to traffic and illuminated for the occasion: from the Via Calzaiuoli gallery to Piazza della Signoria, along the Lungarni to Piazza dei Cavalleggeri, then back up towards Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, Borgo la Croce, and the elegant Piazza d'Azeglio, before returning to the finish line in front of the Duomo. Running among these illuminated monuments in the silence of the Florentine night is an experience that attracts around 2,000 runners from all over Italy every year.

Three ways to participate

The event, organized by Maratona di Firenze SSDRL, offers three formats designed for every type of participant:

• Competitive race of 9.9 km, reserved for FIDAL-registered athletes with valid medical certification;
• Non-competitive fun run of 9.9 km, open to everyone with no registration required;
• Family Run of about 4 km, a non-competitive walk ideal for families and children.

A celebration for the whole city

The Notturna is a collective event that involves the entire community: every year, about 300 volunteers take to the field, while stalls and side events come to life along the route and at the finish line. The race is one of the most heartfelt moments of the celebrations that accompany the patron saint's feast day in the Municipality of Florence and throughout the province, serving as a symbol of the city's and Tuscany's identity. It is an appointment that blends the Florentines' love for running with the timeless charm of their historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site.