Messina Half Marathon

A race in the heart of the Strait

The Messina Half Marathon is one of the most anticipated events on the Sicilian running calendar. Held in the historic center of Messina, the capital of the Metropolitan City of the same name in Sicily, the event transforms the city's main streets into a large, traffic-free race course for the day. The core of the event is the historic "Eufemio da Messina" Half Marathon, covering the official distance of 21.097 km, organized for over a decade by Polisportiva Odysseus Messina under the aegis of FIDAL.

The race program

The day brings together several competitions under a single start line, designed to welcome athletes of all levels:

• "Eufemio da Messina" Half Marathon: 21.097 km, the flagship race, fully certified and competitive;
• Shakespeare Run: 10.548 km, ideal for those tackling shorter distances;
• Shakespeare Run Young: reserved for youth categories (Esordienti, Ragazzi, and Cadetti);
• Fitwalking: a non-competitive sports walk, open to everyone.

The urban course

The route follows a 5.274 km circuit, to be completed twice for the Shakespeare Run and four times for the half marathon. The course touches some of the city's most iconic thoroughfares—Viale Garibaldi, Via dei Mille, and Viale San Martino—with a picturesque passage in front of the Messina Cathedral and its famous square. The start and finish lines are located near Piazza Unione Europea, just a stone's throw from the Strait's waterfront.

Sport and solidarity

The Messina Half Marathon is more than just a sporting challenge: the event pairs the race with a strong commitment to charity. In recent editions, thanks to a partnership with Dole Italia, a charity run has supported cancer research projects under the slogan "Run with us, do good for yourself and others." The event also promotes sports inclusion through its collaboration with FISDIR.

An event for the city

Supported by the Municipality of Messina, which presents the initiative at Palazzo Zanca every year, the event attracts around 400 participants, including competitive athletes, amateurs, and walkers. For visitors, it is also a perfect opportunity to discover Messina, the gateway to Sicily overlooking the Strait, and its extraordinary historical and artistic heritage.