Corsa sotto il Castello Race in Avio

A local race in the shadow of the castle

The Corsa sotto il Castello is the running event that brings the town of Avio, in the province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige, to life every autumn. The race winds through the streets of the town in the lower Vallagarina valley, with views of the Sabbionara Castle—the medieval fortress managed by FAI that dominates the local vineyards and gives the race its name. This is not an elite competition; it is a popular sports festival open to everyone, from children to experienced runners.

Organizers and purpose

The event is promoted by the Junior Sport Avio club and is included in the CSI (Italian Sports Center) calendar as a promotional road race. It is held in memory of Arrigo Giuliani, a figure closely linked to sports in Avio. The most recent edition, the twelfth, took place on November 16, 2025, and gathered over two hundred participants, with a very strong turnout from the youth sector of the town and neighboring valleys.

Courses for all ages

The format includes several routes tailored to the age and skill level of the participants:

• Short route — approximately 200 meters, for the youngest, starting from the Oratory along Via Dante Alighieri, Via Regina Elena, and Via Canonica;
• Medium route — approximately 600 meters;
• Large route — approximately 1000 meters;
• Long route — 5.3 kilometers, reserved for junior, senior, amateur, and veteran categories.

There is also space for the youngest children with a recreational motor activity, ensuring no age group is left out. The start and finish lines are located at the parish Oratory of Avio, with races beginning at 10:00 AM.

An event that celebrates the territory

Corsa sotto il Castello is much more than a race: it is a community moment that blends sport, tradition, and landscape. Running in Avio means moving through one of the most picturesque corners of the Vallagarina, among the rows of vines climbing toward the Sabbionara Castle and the mountains that enclose the Adige valley. A fixed mid-November appointment that ideally closes the autumn running season in southern Trentino.