IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna
The only Italian stage of the IRONMAN circuit on the Cervia seafront
About IRONMAN Cervia
The IRONMAN that chose Romagna
Since 2017, Cervia, an elegant seaside resort in the Province of Ravenna, has hosted the only Italian stage of the global IRONMAN circuit. In just a few years, the race has become one of the most attended in the world: during the September weekend, the seafront and Milano Marittima transform into a large sports village, with over 6,000 athletes from more than 80 countries and thousands of companions and fans.
Three disciplines, one finish line
The main distance of IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna is the full distance, one of the toughest endurance tests in existence:
- Swimming — 3.8 km in the waters of the Adriatic Sea, starting from the free beach of Cervia.
- Cycling — 180 km that cross the picturesque Salt Pans Natural Park of Cervia, populated by pink flamingos, and climb towards the hills up to the village of Bertinoro, before returning to the coast.
- Running — a 42.195 km marathon divided into four laps between Cervia and Milano Marittima, finishing on Lungomare Grazia Deledda.
Not just full distance
The weekend program is much broader than just the long race. The IRONMAN 70.3 (half distance) and the 5150, an Olympic distance triathlon, are also held, designed to introduce a wider audience to the world of triathlon. There is also space for IRONKIDS, a non-competitive run for children and teenagers, the evocative Parade of Nations that parades through the town streets, and the evening 5 km Night Run.
Cervia, capital of salt and sport
The choice of Cervia is no coincidence: the city of salt, in the heart of the Romagna Riviera in Emilia-Romagna, offers a unique setting between the sea, pine forests, and the ancient Salt Pans, now a nature reserve. The event is organized by IRONMAN Italy and is supported by the Municipality of Cervia and the Emilia-Romagna Region, who have made it a regular end-of-summer event that combines great sport, tourism, and territorial enhancement.
IRONMAN Cervia — edition 2026
IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna 2026
The major triathlon event returns to Cervia from September 17 to 21, 2026, with its epicenter at the Fantini Club on Lungomare Grazia Deledda. Four days of races and related events will animate the entire coastline and Milano Marittima.
The core remains the full distance race on Saturday, September 20: 3.8 km of swimming in the sea, 180 km of cycling through the Salt Pans and the hills of Bertinoro, and the final marathon. Sunday will feature shorter distances, the IRONMAN 70.3 and the 5150, accessible to a wider range of triathletes.
Programme IRONMAN Cervia 2026
Thursday, September 17
- 6:00 PM — Parade of Nations: parade of participating nations through the town center (Magazzino del Sale Torre, Borgo Marina, Lungomare, Rotonda della Pace, Viale Roma, Piazza Garibaldi).
- 8:30 PM — Night Run: non-competitive evening 5 km run starting and finishing at Fantini Club, Lungomare Deledda 182.
Friday, September 18
- 3:00 PM — IRONKIDS: non-competitive run for children and teenagers at Fantini Club, Lungomare Deledda 182.
Saturday, September 20 — IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna (full distance)
- 7:30 AM — Swim: 3.8 km starting from the free beach of Cervia.
- Bike: 180 km through the Salt Pans Park towards the hills of Bertinoro and back.
- Run: 42.195 km marathon in four laps between Cervia and Milano Marittima, finish at Bagno Fantini 182, Lungomare Deledda.
Sunday, September 21
- 10:00 AM — Awards Ceremony and Slot Allocation at Magazzino del Sale Torre.
- 12:00 PM — IRONMAN 70.3 Italy Emilia-Romagna: start from the free beach of Cervia.
- 2:00 PM — 5150 Cervia Triathlon Emilia-Romagna: Olympic distance.
- Evening — Final Awards Ceremony.
The schedule may be subject to change: official updates are published on ironman.com/im-emilia-romagna.
Highlights IRONMAN Cervia 2026
The full distance race on Saturday, September 20, with the dawn swim start on Cervia's beach, the bike ride among the pink flamingos of the Salt Pans and the climb to Bertinoro, and the finish on Lungomare Deledda. Don't miss the Parade of Nations and the evening Night Run.
Prices IRONMAN Cervia 2026
Practical information — IRONMAN Cervia
How to get there
By train: Cervia-Milano Marittima station is on the Adriatic line; alternatively, disembark at Ravenna or Rimini with connections. By car: A14 Bologna-Taranto, Cervia exit. Nearest airports: Rimini (Federico Fellini) and Bologna (Guglielmo Marconi).
Registration and headquarters
Registration and bibs for the various distances are available on the official website ironman.com. The heart of the event, with transition areas, finish line, and Expo, is the Fantini Club on Lungomare Grazia Deledda 182. The Magazzino del Sale Torre hosts the Expo and award ceremonies.
Practical advice
September in Cervia is still mild: bring beachwear and a sweatshirt for the evening. Book accommodation well in advance, as the entire Riviera is fully booked during the race weekend.
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Where does it take place — IRONMAN Cervia
Fantini Club, Lungomare Grazia Deledda
Lungomare Grazia Deledda 182, 48015 Cervia