Maratona di Salemi Half Marathon
Edition 2026 Gastronomy Wine Local produce

Maratona di Salemi Half Marathon

Sicily's first wine half marathon, winding through the villages, countryside, and wineries of Salemi

Salemi — Trapani (081) Since 2026
Dates 02 Oct — 04 Oct 2026
Location Salemi (081)
Prices —
Status Confirmed

About Maratona di Salemi

The Maratona di Salemi Half Marathon is a non-competitive themed race that takes runners through the Belice hills in the heart of western Sicily. Inspired by famous European "wine runs," it combines running with Sicilian wine, traditional food, and live music. Along the route, which winds through the cobblestone streets of the hilltop village of Salemi (Trapani Province) and family-run wineries, runners can enjoy gourmet stops and tastings. The 2026 edition, titled "Stepping through History," invites participants to dress up as historical figures. It is not about the time, but about fun, community, and discovering the local area.

A half marathon with the taste of Sicily

The Maratona di Salemi Half Marathon is no ordinary race. It is a non-competitive wine half marathon—the first of its kind in Sicily—designed for those who love to run, but above all, for those who love to discover a region by savoring it step by step. The event is based in Salemi, a charming village perched atop a hill in the Province of Trapani, just over an hour from Palermo in the heart of western Sicily and the Belice Valley.

The "wine run" format

Inspired by the great European wine races, this event prioritizes the experience over the stopwatch. The route winds through idyllic countryside, vineyards, and family-run wineries, also crossing the characteristic cobblestone streets of Salemi's historic center. Along the track, several gourmet stops are set up where you can pause to taste Sicilian wines and traditional local dishes while listening to live music. The spirit is one of celebration: fun, community, and discovery are the true goals, rather than athletic performance.

Salemi and its territory

Running in Salemi means traversing one of the most fascinating villages in the Trapani hinterland, dominated by its Norman-Swabian castle and surrounded by viticultural landscapes. The Belice area is a land of authentic wines and genuine gastronomy, from local bread to typical Sicilian products—elements that become an integral part of the running experience. The event aims to highlight this cultural and gastronomic heritage, transforming a half marathon into a journey through the flavors and history of western Sicily.

Who is it for?

  • Runners looking for a unique experience, far from pure competition
  • Food and wine enthusiasts and slow tourism lovers
  • Travelers who want to discover western Sicily and its villages
  • Groups and families looking for a convivial weekend of sport and culture

The event takes place over a weekend, from October 2 to 4, 2026, the ideal time to enjoy the mild Sicilian climate and the harvest season.

Maratona di Salemi — edition 2026

The inaugural 2026 edition of the Maratona di Salemi Half Marathon takes place over the weekend of October 2-4, 2026, with the main race scheduled for Saturday, October 3. This year's theme: "Stepping through History," with participants invited to dress as historical figures. The non-competitive half marathon traverses the Belice countryside, the cobblestone streets of Salemi, and family-run wineries, with stops to taste Sicilian wines, traditional dishes, and enjoy live music.

2026 Edition — "Stepping through History"

The first edition of the Maratona di Salemi Half Marathon takes place over the weekend of October 2-4, 2026, with the main race scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026. The theme chosen for the debut is "Stepping through History": participants are invited to dress as historical figures, adding a scenic touch to the experience.

It is a non-competitive half marathon in the "wine run" style: the route unfolds through the Sicilian countryside, the cobblestone streets of the village of Salemi, and the area's family-run wineries, with stops dedicated to tasting Sicilian wines, traditional food, and listening to live music.

Programme Maratona di Salemi 2026

The main race is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, as part of a weekend of events running from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4.

The non-competitive route crosses the Salemi countryside, the cobblestone streets of the historic center, and several family-run wineries, with gourmet stops along the track to taste Sicilian wines, typical dishes, and enjoy live music.

The detailed program with start times, precise distances, the list of participating wineries, and details of the stops will be published by the organization on the official website maratonadisalemi.com closer to the event.

Highlights Maratona di Salemi 2026

  • Sicily's first wine half marathon
  • 2026 Theme: "Stepping through History" (historical costumes)
  • Stops with tastings of Sicilian wines and typical food
  • Live music along the route
  • Race through the hilltop village of Salemi and the Belice countryside

Prices Maratona di Salemi 2026

<p>The event requires a registration fee. Fees, payment methods, and what is included with the bib are detailed on the official website <a href="https://maratonadisalemi.com/">maratonadisalemi.com</a>.</p>

Practical information — Maratona di Salemi

Getting there

Salemi is located in western Sicily, in the Province of Trapani, just over an hour's drive from Palermo. The main airports are Palermo "Falcone-Borsellino" and Trapani-Birgi. By car, it can be reached via the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo motorway, taking the Salemi exit.

Registration and info

Registration and all practical details (fees, bibs, services) are published on the official website maratonadisalemi.com. For information: [email protected].

Tips

As this is a non-competitive race with food and wine stops, we recommend a convivial spirit and comfortable clothing. For the 2026 edition, historical costumes are encouraged ("Stepping through History"). It is advisable to book accommodation in or around Salemi well in advance.

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 — Maratona di Salemi

Centro storico di Salemi e campagna circostante

Contact Maratona di Salemi

Maratona di Salemi in brief

Gastronomy Wine Local produce Folk traditions Folklore Sport Trail Outdoor Multidisciplinary Trapani

History of Maratona di Salemi