Contrade Running Race – Mirko Zengaro Memorial

The Contrade Running Race of Roccaspinalveti

The Contrade Running Race – Mirko Zengaro Memorial is one of the most heartfelt sporting events of the summer in Roccaspinalveti, a small town in the upper Vastese area in the province of Chieti, in the heart of Abruzzo. Established in 2018, the race winds through the town's districts and the surrounding hills, offering participants scenic views of the Sinello valley and the ridges sloping down toward the Adriatic Sea.

A race dedicated to memory

The event bears the name of Mirko Zengaro, an electrician from Roccaspinalveti who died in an accident in 2017. The community chose to remember him with a sporting event that, year after year, has become a staple of the summer calendar: not just a race, but a moment of gathering that involves the entire town and its districts.

Two routes for everyone

The event offers two ways to participate, designed to combine competitive spirit with popular participation:

• 9 km competitive race, reserved for FIDAL-registered athletes and RunCard holders, valid for the CSEN circuit;
• 4 km scenic walk, open to everyone, also suitable for families and walkers, along a route that offers evocative views of the districts and the Abruzzo countryside.

Organization and atmosphere

The race is organized by the Pro Loco of Roccaspinalveti with the support of the Municipality. The meeting point is traditionally held in Piazza del Mercato, the heart of the town, from which both the race and the walk start. Each edition attracts over a hundred runners from clubs in the Vasto area and neighboring regions, in a festive atmosphere that continues until the evening awards ceremony. Shower facilities are provided for participants.

Sport and territory

The Contrade Running Race represents the spirit of Abruzzo's local festivals well, where sport becomes an opportunity to enhance the territory and strengthen community ties. Running or walking through the districts of Roccaspinalveti means discovering an authentic corner of the Chieti hinterland, far from the most beaten tourist paths, amidst tradition, landscape, and shared memory.