Marathon Valle Jato
The mountain bike granfondo in the heart of the Jato Valley
About Marathon Valle Jato
Mountain biking takes center stage in the Jato Valley
The Marathon Valle Jato has become a staple event for mountain bike enthusiasts in Sicily. It takes place in San Cipirello, a small town in the Province of Palermo set within the Jato Valley, a charming rural area of rolling hills, vineyards, and peaks that provide a natural backdrop for this technical and spectacular race. Organized by the ASD Bike Project association, the event has grown with each edition to become a cornerstone of the island's amateur cycling scene.
A route through hills and mountains
The course winds through some of the most evocative spots in the Jato Valley: from the Iate district toward the Bommarito and Dammusi districts, reaching the slopes of Monte Signora and Monte Marzuso. Single tracks, dirt paths, and technical sections alternate to offer bikers a complete experience, blending physical exertion with breathtaking scenery. The start and finish lines are located in Contrada Bassetto, in the town's industrial zone, which hosts the race village each year, complete with refreshments, hospitality, and award ceremonies.
Two courses: Marathon and Gran Fondo
The event offers two distances to cater to both highly trained competitors and amateur cyclists: the Marathon course, which is longer and features more elevation gain, and the Gran Fondo course, which is more accessible yet still selective. Refreshment stations, feed zones, and time gates are set up along the route in accordance with cross-country marathon race regulations.
A race of national significance
The Marathon Valle Jato is more than just a local race: it serves as a unique round of the FCI Regional Marathon Championship and as a stage of the CSI National Marathon Championship, drawing athletes from all over Sicily as well as from Veneto, Switzerland, and Malta. The organizers aim to establish the race firmly within the national circuit, reflecting an ambition that transcends regional borders and brings prestige to the entire Jato Valley and the province of Palermo.
Marathon Valle Jato — edition 2026
The fourth edition of the Marathon Valle Jato took place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in San Cipirello (PA). The Marathon course featured a route of 64 km with 2300 m of elevation gain, while the Gran Fondo offered a shorter alternative of approximately 46 km. The meeting point was set at 07:00 in Contrada Bassetto, in the industrial zone, with the start at 09:00 and the finish expected around 16:30.
The 2026 edition confirmed the race as a unique round of the FCI Regional Marathon Championship and a stage of the CSI National Marathon Championship, attracting athletes from Sicily, Veneto, Switzerland, and Malta. Four refreshment stations, three feed zones, and the regulatory time gates were provided along the route.
Programme Marathon Valle Jato 2026
Sunday, May 3, 2026
- 07:00 — Meeting point and license verification in Contrada Bassetto (industrial zone), San Cipirello
- 07:00–08:00 — Verification procedures and bib collection
- 09:00 — Start of the Marathon course (64 km, 2300 m D+) and Gran Fondo (approx. 46 km)
- Until approx. 16:30 — Arrival of competitors (maximum time equal to 50% more than the winner's time)
- Following — Award ceremonies in the finish area
Elite, Under, Master M1-M10, and Women W1-W8 categories were admitted. Four refreshment stations and three feed zones were set up along the route.
Highlights Marathon Valle Jato 2026
Prices Marathon Valle Jato 2026
Practical information — Marathon Valle Jato
How to get there
San Cipirello can be reached by car from Palermo (approximately 40 km) via the SS624 Palermo-Sciacca highway, taking the exit toward San Giuseppe Jato / San Cipirello. The nearest airport is Palermo-Punta Raisi.
Meeting point and start
The meeting point and license verification take place in Contrada Bassetto, in the industrial zone. Verification procedures are held on the afternoon before the race and in the early hours of the race day.
Registration
Registration is done online via the federal portal and platforms dedicated to mountain bike racing. For information: ASD Bike Project, tel. +39 320 8383633, [email protected].
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Marathon Valle Jato
Contrada Bassetto
Contrada Bassetto, zona artigianale, 90088 San Cipirello