Mezza del Santo

The half marathon in the city of Padre Pio

The Mezza del Santo is the most anticipated road race in San Giovanni Rotondo, in the heart of the Gargano and the province of Foggia, Puglia. Organized by BCC San Giovanni Rotondo in partnership with ASD Atletica Padre Pio and Polisportiva Eppe Merla, it is the only official FIDAL half marathon in the Foggia area: a national-level event that brings hundreds of athletes each year to the city that introduced the world to the figure of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.

A journey between spirituality and nature

The race is held over the official half marathon distance of 21.097 km, fully measured and certified, with a national Bronze classification on the FIDAL calendar. The route starts from the forecourt of the Church of Saint Pio, following the traditional blessing of the athletes by the Capuchin friars, traverses the city's most iconic landmarks, and immerses runners in the landscape of the Gargano National Park, before returning through the town streets to finish at Parco del Papa. It is a course that weaves together competition, faith, and the beauty of the territory—elements that make the Mezza del Santo unique compared to any other race in the region.

More than just a half marathon

Alongside the main race, the event features the Corsa dei Pirgiani, a competitive 11.5 km race, as well as an 11 km non-competitive version open to all enthusiasts on the same single-loop track. There is also space for younger runners with a dedicated race for children and teenagers, confirming the event's popular and family-oriented vocation.

A return after seven years

Founded in 2015, the Mezza del Santo held its first five editions until the end of the last decade, followed by a long suspension due to the pandemic and the uncertainties of the following years. In 2026, after an absence of about seven years, the race returned to the calendar with its sixth edition, embraced by the entire community of San Giovanni Rotondo as a symbol of the sporting and social revival of the Gargano territory.

San Giovanni Rotondo and the Gargano

As one of the most frequented pilgrimage destinations in Italy, the Municipality of San Giovanni Rotondo combines its religious significance with an extraordinary natural setting: the Gargano promontory in northern Puglia. The Mezza del Santo highlights this very connection: running through the city streets means traversing a landscape of sanctuaries, protected nature, and Puglian hospitality, in an event that is both a competitive challenge and a community celebration.