Giovanni Ioli Memorial — Gamba d'Oro

An evening run in the heart of the Novara region

The Giovanni Ioli Memorial is one of the most cherished stages of the Gamba d'Oro running calendar, a circuit of non-competitive races that has been energizing the towns of the Novara and Vercelli provinces in Piedmont for decades. Every year, on a mid-June evening, the small town of Cavaglietto becomes a gathering point for hundreds of enthusiasts who challenge themselves along the village streets and the peaceful surrounding countryside.

The race kicks off at sunset, at 8:00 PM, creating a particularly evocative atmosphere. This evening run is one of the most popular features of the Gamba d'Oro circuit during the summer months, when milder temperatures make the experience enjoyable for both serious runners and families.

Two routes for everyone

The Memorial offers two distances designed to accommodate every level of fitness:

• Long route of approximately 6.5 km, on a mostly flat course between the town center and the countryside;
• Short route of approximately 2 km, ideal for those who prefer a walk or for children.

As this is a non-competitive event, the focus is on participation and the pleasure of running together rather than on the stopwatch.

A memorial with deep local roots

The race is named in honor of Giovanni Oioli, founder of the historic Cavaglietto dairy, a company renowned for its production of Gorgonzola PDO and deeply intertwined with the village's identity. The event, managed by the Pro Loco of Cavaglietto, is much more than just a race: it is a community moment that weaves sport with the history and traditions of this corner of the Novara province.

The Gamba d'Oro circuit

The Memorial is part of the broader Gamba d'Oro circuit, one of the longest-running amateur athletic events in Piedmont, which brings together dozens of stages throughout the year across the towns of the Novara and Vercelli areas. Participating in the Cavaglietto Memorial means becoming part of a large family of runners who, stage after stage, traverse the villages and landscapes of the Piedmontese plains.