Gaetano Ferrentino Memorial
The 9.99 km road race that Sarno dedicates every May to the memory of Gaetano Ferrentino
About Ferrentino Memorial
A race to remember Gaetano Ferrentino
The Gaetano Ferrentino Memorial is the road race that brings the streets of Sarno to life every spring. Located in the province of Salerno, in the heart of the Campania agricultural region, the event was established in 2022 to honor the memory of Gaetano Ferrentino, a sports journalist, writer, and local official—who served as deputy mayor and city councilor—who passed away prematurely on December 30, 2020. A passionate runner and sports enthusiast, Ferrentino spent years covering the sports scene of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area for the newspaper «La Città». The race that bears his name is the community's way of remembering him, year after year.
A fast 9.99 km course
The official distance is 9.99 km, run on a single, fully paved loop closed to traffic. The course is flat and fast, suitable both for athletes chasing a personal best and for amateur runners taking it at a more relaxed pace; the final four kilometers, in particular, allow for a mix of running and walking without losing rhythm. The start and finish are located in Piazza 5 Maggio 1998, a square named after the victims of the landslide that struck Sarno in May 1998 and now a central meeting point for the town.
There are two refreshment stations along the route, at the 4th and 7th kilometers, in addition to the final refreshment point at the finish line. Timing is managed via chip, and every finisher receives a commemorative medal.
Organizers
The event is organized by A.S.D. Sarno Runners, a local running group, in collaboration with the «Gli amici della Vasca» association from Episcopio. The race is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Sarno, the Province of Salerno, and the Campania Region. The official presentation is usually held at Palazzo San Francesco, the town hall, in the presence of local authorities and Gaetano Ferrentino's family.
Sport and solidarity
The Memorial is more than just a race: a portion of the registration fees is donated to charity, a commitment that has encouraged many running groups across Southern Italy to make the Sarno event a permanent fixture in their calendars. The 2026 edition saw approximately 800 registered participants and 694 classified athletes, numbers that place the race among the most popular in the Salerno and Vesuvius areas.
Who can participate
- Adult athletes registered with FIDAL-affiliated clubs or sports promotion bodies recognized by CONI;
- Affordable registration fee, with the option to use a personal chip;
- Personalized race bib, race pack, medical assistance, and ambulance services guaranteed for all participants;
- Individual prizes for the top overall finishers (men and women) and expense reimbursements for the largest teams at the finish line;
- The race takes place in all weather conditions, unless otherwise decided by the competent authorities.
Sarno and the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese
Sarno lies at the foot of the Picentini Mountains, at the springs of the river of the same name, in a border area between the province of Salerno and the Vesuvius region. It is a city with ancient agricultural traditions—home to the famous San Marzano tomato—with a historic center dominated by a medieval castle and tied to a collective memory that remains vivid: the 1998 landslide. The race runs through the town center, offering runners from outside the region a chance to discover a territory often overlooked by Campania's main tourist circuits, located just a short distance from the ruins of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
Ferrentino Memorial — edition 2026
The 5th edition of the Gaetano Ferrentino Memorial took place on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Sarno, organized by A.S.D. Sarno Runners in collaboration with the «Gli amici della Vasca» association, under the patronage of the Municipality of Sarno, the Province of Salerno, and the Campania Region.
The start was given at 8:30 AM from Piazza 5 Maggio 1998, on a 9.99 km single-loop course, flat and entirely closed to traffic. Organizers recorded approximately 800 registered participants, with 694 classified athletes—599 men and 95 women—confirming the event's steady growth.
In the men's category, victory went to Yahya Kadiri (Carmax Camaldolese) in 31'04", ahead of Hajjaj El Jebli (Atletica Ermes) in 31'27" and Ali Akinou (Carmax Camaldolese) in 32'22". In the women's category, Francesca Palomba (Caivano Runners) won in 38'04".
The services characterizing the race were confirmed: personalized bib, chip timing, refreshment stations at the 4th and 7th km, final refreshment point, race pack, and commemorative medal for all finishers. Once again this year, a portion of the registration proceeds was allocated to charitable causes, a reason why numerous running groups chose to participate in large numbers.
Programme Ferrentino Memorial 2026
Meeting point for competitors in Piazza 5 Maggio 1998, in the center of Sarno.
- 8:30 AM — Start of the 9.99 km competitive road race, single flat loop entirely closed to traffic;
- Km 4 and Km 7 — Refreshment stations along the route;
- Finish in Piazza 5 Maggio 1998, with final refreshment and commemorative medal for all finishers;
- Following — Award ceremony for top overall athletes (men and women) and expense reimbursement for the top ten teams with at least 20 classified athletes.
Arrival order (top of the leaderboard) — Men: 1. Yahya Kadiri (Carmax Camaldolese) 31'04"; 2. Hajjaj El Jebli (Atletica Ermes) 31'27"; 3. Ali Akinou (Carmax Camaldolese) 32'22". Women: 1. Francesca Palomba (Caivano Runners) 38'04".
Total classified: 694 athletes (599 men, 95 women) out of approximately 800 registered.
Highlights Ferrentino Memorial 2026
- Flat 9.99 km course, single loop, entirely closed to traffic;
- Start and finish in Piazza 5 Maggio 1998, in the center of Sarno;
- Chip timing and commemorative medal for all finishers;
- Refreshment stations at the 4th and 7th km, plus final refreshment;
- Medical assistance and ambulance along the route;
- Part of the registration proceeds donated to charity.
Prices Ferrentino Memorial 2026
Practical information — Ferrentino Memorial
How to get there
Sarno can be reached by car via the A30 Caserta-Salerno motorway (Sarno exit) or the A3 Naples-Salerno motorway (Angri or Nocera exit). The Sarno train station is served by the Circumvesuviana line from Naples and regional connections from Salerno. Piazza 5 Maggio 1998 is in the town center, a few minutes' walk from the station.
Meeting point and start
Competitors meet in Piazza 5 Maggio 1998 early in the morning, with the start scheduled for 8:30 AM. Roads along the route are closed to traffic; it is recommended to park in areas surrounding the center and walk to the square.
Registration and services
Registration is handled through your sports club in the days leading up to the race, usually closing on the Thursday before the event. The fee includes a personalized bib, chip timing, event-specific insurance, medical assistance and ambulance, refreshment stations at the 4th and 7th km, a final refreshment point, a race pack, restroom facilities, and a commemorative medal for all finishers who present their bib.
Useful tips
At the end of May in Campania, temperatures can be high even in the early morning: it is advisable to hydrate well before the start and take advantage of both refreshment stations along the route. For those arriving from afar, Sarno is a great base for day trips to Pompeii, Nocera Inferiore, and the Sarno Valley.
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Where does it take place — Ferrentino Memorial
Piazza 5 Maggio 1998
Piazza 5 Maggio 1998, 84087 Sarno