Ermetika 6/8 Hour Race of Barletta

An ultramarathon in the industrial heart of Barletta

The Ermetika 6/8 Hour Race of Barletta is a timed ultramarathon held every December in the town of Barletta, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani (BAT), Puglia. The event's uniqueness lies in its venue: the race takes place inside the Buzzi Unicem plant, one of the city's historic industrial sites, which opens its grounds to athletes for the day, transforming into a closed, monitored race circuit.

Race formats: 6 hours, 8 hours, marathon, and 23 km

The event takes its name from its two main challenges, the 6-hour and 8-hour races, where the winner is the athlete who covers the greatest distance within the set time. Alongside these, the program includes a marathon (42.195 km) and a 23 km race, welcoming both seasoned ultramarathoners and runners looking to enter the world of endurance racing. This variety of formats makes it one of the most popular events on the Southern Italian ultra-running calendar.

A one-kilometer circuit

The course is a one-kilometer loop, fully marked and monitored, which athletes traverse repeatedly until their time expires. The flat surface and the short length of the lap allow for constant support, with refreshment stations easily accessible at every pass: an ideal setting for those aiming to improve their personal bests over long distances.

A stage of the national IUTA calendar

The Ermetika in Barletta is not an isolated event: it is part of the Challenge 8 Ore of the Club Super Marathon Italia and is a stage of the IUTA Grand Prix (Italian Ultramarathon and Trail Association). Its inclusion in national circuits explains why the race attracts participants from numerous Italian regions every year, making Barletta a winter reference point for the ultramarathon community.

Organization and territory

The event is organized by ASD Barletta Sportiva, led by president Enzo Cascella, in collaboration with the Buzzi Unicem plant and with technical support for timekeeping. Held at the end of the year, during the pre-Christmas period, it offers participants the chance to discover Barletta and its Adriatic coastline, including the famous Swabian Castle, the Cathedral, and the promenade of the 'City of the Challenge'.