Gran Sasso Ultramarathon
A 50 km road race through the villages and plateaus of the Gran Sasso
About Gran Sasso Ultramarathon
The Gran Sasso Ultramarathon: The 50 km race through Abruzzo's villages
The Gran Sasso Ultramarathon is a 50-kilometer road ultramarathon, with the start and finish line located in the charming Piazza del Comune of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a medieval village in the Province of L'Aquila recognized as one of the most beautiful in Italy. Established in 2011, the race has become a staple late-July event for ultramarathon enthusiasts and those looking to discover the mountainous heart of Abruzzo while running.
A route through the villages and plateaus of the Gran Sasso
The UISP-approved route is entirely paved, covering approximately one thousand meters of total elevation gain in a loop that crosses three municipalities and some of the most iconic spots in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. From the start in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, runners head up towards Calascio and Castel del Monte, cross the Capo la Serra Pass, skirt Fonte Vetica and the vast Campo Imperatore Plain, before passing by Lake Racollo and returning to the starting village. It is a challenging but exceptionally beautiful itinerary, winding through high-altitude pastures, karst plateaus, and vistas of the Gran Sasso massif, in a stretch of the Apennines often compared to the 'Tibet of Abruzzo'.
Sport, nature, and regional promotion
Beyond the competitive aspect, the event holds significant cultural and tourism value: the refreshment stations along the route offer the best local Abruzzese products, and the race serves as an opportunity to showcase the villages and landscapes of the Baronia and the Campo Imperatore plateau. The event is organized by the ASD Marathon Club Manoppello Sogeda with timing provided by Timing Run, and over the years it has attracted more than six hundred athletes from all over Italy, ranging from amateur runners to national-level ultramarathon specialists.
The race is included in the main national ultramarathon circuits (Grand Prix IUTA) and serves as a qualifying event for the Abruzzo regional 50 km championship, cementing its status as a benchmark for long-distance running in the Apennines.
Gran Sasso Ultramarathon — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Gran Sasso Ultramarathon, the 15th in its history, will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with start and finish at the Piazza del Comune in Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ). The race, on a 50 km loop entirely on asphalt with about 900 meters of elevation gain, starts at 8:30 AM with an 8-hour time limit. Over 600 participants are currently confirmed. The 2026 edition is particularly prestigious: it is the 1st stage of the 2026 IUTA Italian Combined Championship (ultramarathon + ultratrail), is valid for the 24th IUTA Grand Prix, for the Abruzzo Ultra 50 km Regional Championship, and for the 3rd UISP Ultra Abruzzo Circuit.
Programme Gran Sasso Ultramarathon 2026
Sunday, July 26, 2026 — Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ)
- Saturday, July 25, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM — Bib and race pack collection at the secretariat in Piazza del Comune
- Sunday, July 26, 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM — Bib and race pack collection
- 8:30 AM — Start of the Ultramarathon (50 km) from Piazza del Comune
- Time limit: 8 hours (finish line closes around 4:30 PM)
The route (50 km, ~900 m D+)
Entirely paved loop: Santo Stefano di Sessanio → Calascio → Castel del Monte → Capo la Serra Pass → Fonte Vetica → Campo Imperatore Plain → Lake Racollo → return to Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Refreshment stations along the route with typical Abruzzese products.
2026 Competitive validity
- 1st stage of the IUTA 2026 Italian Combined Championship (UM+UT)
- 24th IUTA Grand Prix 2026
- Abruzzo Ultra 50 km Regional Championship
- 3rd UISP Ultra Abruzzo Circuit
Highlights Gran Sasso Ultramarathon 2026
Prices Gran Sasso Ultramarathon 2026
Practical information — Gran Sasso Ultramarathon
Where it takes place
Start and finish in Piazza del Comune, Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ), postal code 67020. The route passes through Calascio, Castel del Monte, the Capo la Serra Pass, Campo Imperatore, and Lake Racollo, within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.
How to get there
Santo Stefano di Sessanio can be reached by car from the A24 motorway exit 'L'Aquila Est / Assergi', continuing along the plateau roads. The village is about 30 km from L'Aquila. We recommend arriving early to secure parking, given the high turnout during the race.
Registration and information
Bib and race pack collection is at the secretariat in Piazza del Comune. For registration, fees, and regulations, please contact the organizers via email ([email protected]) or by phone (+39 340 8990398 - Franco Schiazza). Timing and race management by Timing Run.
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Where does it take place — Gran Sasso Ultramarathon
Piazza del Comune, Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Piazza del Comune, 67020 Santo Stefano di Sessanio