Marcialonga – Terre del Negroamaro

A celebration of walking in the land of Negroamaro

The Marcialonga – Terre del Negroamaro is the premier road-walking event that transforms Villa Baldassarri, a village within the municipality of Guagnano (Lecce), into the regional capital of the discipline every year. Organized by ASD Abacus Villa Baldassarri, led by Giovanni dell'Atti, with the patronage of the Municipality of Guagnano and under the aegis of FIDAL Puglia, the race is a key fixture in the Puglia Walking Trophy, the regional circuit uniting local athletics clubs.

A course through town and countryside

The competition takes place on a roughly ten-kilometer urban circuit, certified by FIDAL and entirely closed to traffic by municipal ordinance. Athletes traverse the streets of Villa Baldassarri and the surrounding vineyards in a loop that touches the main town center before heading out into the countryside planted with Negroamaro, the signature grape variety of this part of Salento, shared with the neighboring towns of Veglie and Salice Salentino.

From youth to elite categories

The Marcialonga is not just for specialists: the program includes heats for all federal categories, from Esordienti (beginners) to Ragazzi, Cadetti, and Elite, with distances tailored to each age group. This structure makes the event an important training ground for young Apulian athletes and a great community gathering for families, who cheer on the youngest participants from the sidelines.

Sport and regional heritage

Beyond the competitive aspect, the event serves as a powerful promotional tool: it uses sport to highlight the landscape and the culinary excellence of the Terre del Negroamaro, a region firmly committed to slow tourism and its unique viticultural identity. The event also frequently addresses civic and social issues, with editions dedicated to awareness campaigns against violence against women and in memory of figures dear to the local community.

A highlight of the Salento spring

Taking place between late winter and spring, the Marcialonga – Terre del Negroamaro kicks off the long season of events that animate Guagnano and the surrounding Negroamaro lands. For visitors, it is the perfect opportunity to discover Villa Baldassarri, a charming village in the Salento countryside, combining a passion for athletics with the discovery of an authentic territory just a few kilometers from Lecce.