Milazzo Marathon Swim Event

The Milazzo Marathon Swim Event

The Milazzo Marathon Swim Event is an open-water swimming competition that transforms the coastline of Milazzo, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, into a unique sporting stage every late August. Organized by the ASD Ulisse and ASD Baia S. Antonio sports clubs, with the patronage of the Municipality of Milazzo and the Capo Milazzo Marine Protected Area, the event has grown edition after edition to become a benchmark for long-distance swimming in Sicily and Italy.

The Periplo del Capo: 10 km between sky and sea

The flagship race is the Periplo del Capo, a 10-kilometer straight-line test that circumnavigates the Capo Milazzo promontory. The start takes place at the picturesque Croce di Mare, an iconic spot suspended between sky and water, while the finish line is set at Baia del Tono. Athletes swim through a stretch of sea of extraordinary beauty within the Capo Milazzo Marine Protected Area, populated by schools of mackerel, sea bream, and amberjack. Due to its stunning natural setting and history, the race also awards the regional distance title and is recognized as a prestigious event by the Italian Swimming Federation.

The Marine Mile and the Aurelio Visalli Memorial

Alongside the 10 km race, the Marine Mile (1,852 meters) is held—a triangular sprint circuit in Baia del Tono, titled the Aurelio Visalli Memorial in honor of the Coast Guard non-commissioned officer who lost his life in these waters during a rescue attempt. It is the most popular event, open to both young swimmers and amateurs, attracting hundreds of entries every year.

A national circuit event

The Milazzo Marathon Swim Event is part of the Grand Prix Sicilia Openwater circuit and the Italian Long-Distance Swimming Grand Prix, attracting FIN-registered swimmers from all over Italy and abroad. The protected waters of Capo Milazzo, among the clearest on the Sicilian Tyrrhenian coast, offer an ideal setting for open-water swimming, making the event one of the most beloved stops for open-water enthusiasts.

Sport and territory

Beyond the competitive aspect, the event is an opportunity to showcase the Milazzo area and its splendid marine reserve, promoting environmental respect and sea culture. The race day, featuring the secretariat, starts, and award ceremonies, brings the Milazzo coastline to life and acts as a driver for sports tourism in Sicily at the end of summer.