Derthona Half Marathon

A half marathon in the heart of the Tortona area

The Derthona Half Marathon is a major road running festival held in Tortona, in the Province of Alessandria, in the southeast of Piedmont. Established just a few years ago, it has grown rapidly to become one of the most popular running events in the Alessandria area: the last edition saw over a thousand registered participants and more than nine hundred finishers across the three scheduled distances. The name pays homage to Derthona, the ancient Roman name for the city, while the lion—the emblem of Tortona—has always been the face of the event.

Three races for every runner

The event offers three courses designed to accommodate athletes of all levels:

• Half Marathon — the competitive 21.097 km half marathon, certified with a 2h30' time limit;
• Derthona Ten — a 10 km race through the most beautiful streets of the historic center, ideal for those seeking a more accessible distance;
• Derthona 32 km — the long-distance challenge for the most trained runners, one of the few 32 km races on the Italian circuit.

All distances share the same start and finish line at the Tortona Municipal Pool, on Via Mariano delle Piane.

A route between history and countryside

The course is one of the event's highlights: fast and smooth, it passes through Tortona's iconic landmarks, including the Town Hall, the Basilica Sanctuary of the Madonna della Guardia, the historic Via Emilia with Piazza Malaspina, the Cathedral, and the Civic Museum. After the ninth kilometer, the race leaves the city and heads towards the village of Viguzzolo, through scenic country paths that lend a more rural and evocative atmosphere to the race.

A growing event

Beyond the competitive aspect—the Derthona Half Marathon also hosts regional Master titles and provincial championships—the event is a true popular celebration for Tortona and the municipalities of Viguzzolo and Castelnuovo Scrivia involved in the route. Every year, the race attracts elite athletes and amateur runners from all over Piedmont and neighboring regions, helping to promote the Tortona area and its historical and scenic treasures.