Sicily's first wine half marathon, winding through the villages, countryside, and wineries of Salemi
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 all practical details (fees, bibs, services) are published on the official website maratonadisalemi.com. For information: [email protected].
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.
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Centro storico di Salemi e campagna circostante