Italian Individual Championship of Road Bowling

An ancient discipline along the Apennine roads

The Italian Individual Championship of Road Bowling brings to Toano, in the heart of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, one of the most historic, rooted, and spectacular disciplines in the world of throwing games. Also known as boccia alla lunga, this specialty thrives on direct contact with the environment, transforming the inland roads into a true open-air sports field. The event is held in the Municipality of Toano, in the Province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna, along the stretches connecting the hamlets of Vogno, Quara, and the main town.

How Road Bowling is played

Road bowling is played on road courses of any surface, using colored balls thrown by hand without any additional equipment. The principle is simple and fascinating: the winner is the one who, at the end of the set number of throws, covers the longest distance. The competitions take place on roads closed to traffic for the occasion, where competitors take turns making precise and powerful throws, in a balance of strength, technique, and reading of the terrain.

The weekend program

The event is spread over two days. On Saturday, the meeting is scheduled for early afternoon at the Pro Loco of Vogno, with greetings from the authorities and the start of the elimination rounds. On Sunday, early in the morning, competitors gather at the Latteria Sociale of Quara for the traditional champion's breakfast, before the start of the finals, which take place on the stretches of provincial road between Quara and Toano.

An event rooted in the territory

The organization is handled by ASD I Lupi del Cusna, a sports club from the Reggio Emilia Apennines, under the aegis of FIGeST, the Italian Federation of Traditional Games and Sports. The event enjoys the patronage of the Municipality of Toano, the Pro Loco of Vogno, the Emilia-Romagna Region, and the Sport Valley Emilia-Romagna brand. The event attracts competitors from various regions, particularly from Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and Umbria, lands where this discipline preserves a vibrant and deep tradition.

More than just a race

Road bowling in Toano is much more than a competition: it's an opportunity to experience the mountains, share a different kind of day, and keep alive the traditions of the small Apennine villages. Between races, conviviality, typical products, and the hospitality of the Pro Loco form the backdrop to an event where, as the organizers remind us, the result matters, but coming together matters most.