Maratona degli Ernici (Sora-Veroli)

An extreme trail in the heart of the Ernici Mountains

The Maratona degli Ernici is a 44-kilometer point-to-point trail running race with approximately 3,560 meters of positive elevation gain. It connects Sora to Veroli, crossing the Ernici Mountains ridge, the Apennine chain that separates the Liri Valley from the Ciociaria region. This is not a road marathon; it is a true mountain race featuring technical trails, uneven terrain, natural obstacles, and long ridge sections, reserved for trained runners accustomed to high-altitude environments. Technical guides describe it as one of the most selective and spectacular events in the entire Lazio region.

The route: from Sora to Veroli along the ridge

The start is set at dawn from Piazza San Rocco in Sora (at an altitude of approximately 280 meters), with headlamps lit. The track climbs rapidly toward Serra Alta, reaching over 1,700 meters, and continues along the Ernici ridge, passing Serra Comune and Pizzo Deta, one of the massif's iconic peaks. After passing La Civita, the descent leads to the finish line in Piazza Mazzoli, in the historic center of Veroli (approximately 450 meters), one of the most beautiful medieval villages in the province of Frosinone. Five aid stations are located along the route: Acerreto (km 10), Vado la Rocca (km 16), Sentiero delle Madonne (km 26), La Civita (km 30), and Monte San Giacomo (km 40).

A technical and selective race

The regulations reflect the demanding nature of the event: the race is run in semi-self-sufficiency, with a 12-hour time limit and three intermediate time gates—at km 15 (Vado di Rocca, 5 hours), at km 18 (Pizzo Deta, 6 hours), and at km 30 (La Civita, 9 hours). Complete mountain gear is mandatory: at least one liter of water, food supplies, a charged phone, a windproof and waterproof shell, a headlamp with spare batteries, a whistle, a thermal blanket, adhesive elastic tape, and trail running shoes. Participation is reserved for adults with a competitive medical certificate. Safety is ensured by an ambulance with a defibrillator and the Alpine Rescue team.

Organization and the IUTA circuit

The event is organized by ASD Ernica Veroli, a local sports club active since 2012, under the patronage of the Municipality of Veroli. The race is included in the national IUTA (Italian Ultramarathon and Trail Association) calendar as a stage of the IUTA Grand Prix UltraTrail, the circuit that brings together the most important ultra and long-distance trail races in Italy—a recognition that has helped make the race known well beyond the borders of the Ciociaria region.

Sora, Veroli, and the Ciociaria

The Maratona degli Ernici is also a journey through the territory: it starts in Sora, a city in the Liri Valley on the border with Abruzzo, and ends in Veroli, a town of Ernici origins with a historic center rich in churches, alleys, and medieval landmarks. The Ernici Mountains, which give their name to the race and the ancient Italic people, offer panoramas stretching from the Valle Roveto to the mountains of the Ciociaria. For the municipalities of Sora and Veroli and the Lazio Region, the event is an exceptional showcase, capable of combining sport, nature, and regional promotion in a single day of celebration.