Marcialonga del Cerbiatto

The race of the fawn village

The Marcialonga del Cerbiatto is the historic footrace of Villavallelonga, a small town in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo) set in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. Its name evokes the naturalistic vocation of this Marsican village, home to the Bear Center and wildlife enclosures dedicated to the Marsican brown bear and deer—a territory where wildlife and mountain hiking are part of daily identity.

A Marsica tradition

Established in the early 1980s, the event has become one of the most cherished dates on the Marsican running calendar. It is part of the CorriMarsica circuit, with UISP certification, which connects various towns in the Marsica area such as Trasacco, Barrea and Celano throughout the summer and early autumn. The race traditionally takes place on September 2nd each year, as part of the festivities in honor of the patron saints Leucio, Rocco and Nicola, celebrated in the village from September 1st to 4th.

The course and races

The meeting point is Piazza San Francesco, the heart of the village. The program includes several events:

• Competitive race of approximately 10 kilometers, consisting of three laps through the streets and alleys of the historic center;
• Non-competitive fun run of approximately 3 kilometers, open to everyone and suitable for families;
• Youth races reserved for children up to 15 years old, with registration in the early afternoon.

Adults generally compete in the late afternoon, with the competitive race starting around 6:00 PM, when the mountain climate makes running more pleasant.

Sport, community and patronal feast

The Marcialonga del Cerbiatto is organized by Podistica Luco dei Marsi in collaboration with the Festival Committee of Saints Leucio, Rocco and Nicola. The bond with the patronal feast is deep: the race is not an isolated event but a highlight of the three-day celebration that brings Villavallelonga to life with religious rites, music, gastronomy and community gatherings. Every year, dozens of runners from across Marsica and Abruzzo meet in the village, proudly wearing their local club colors.

Why participate

Running or walking through the streets of Villavallelonga means immersing yourself in a high-altitude landscape of beech forests, mountains and an authentic historic center. It is an opportunity to combine sports with the discovery of one of the most characteristic villages in the Park, in a setting where popular tradition and nature have coexisted for centuries.