Napoli City Half Marathon
The international half marathon in Naples: 21.097 km between the Lungomare Caracciolo and the historic center.
About Naples Half Marathon
A half marathon running along the sea of Naples
The Napoli City Half Marathon is the premier running festival of the Campania capital: a race over the classic 21.097 km distance, measured and certified, which every year at the end of February draws thousands of athletes to run along Italy's most photographed gulf. Organized by ASD Napoli Running with the patronage of the City of Naples, the event has quickly secured a permanent spot on the international road half marathon calendar.
The appeal goes beyond just the competition. Running in Naples in February means enjoying a mild climate, a completely flat track, and a backdrop that alternates between the sea, castles, and the monumental squares of the UNESCO-protected historic center—which is why more than half of the participants travel from abroad.
The course: 21.097 km, flat and incredibly fast
The start and finish are located on Viale J.F. Kennedy, in front of the Mostra d'Oltremare in the Fuorigrotta district. After the start, athletes descend through the Galleria Laziale towards Mergellina and enter the Lungomare Caracciolo, the most famous stretch of the route: on one side, the gulf with the islet of Megaride and Castel dell'Ovo; on the other, the Villa Comunale and the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station Aquarium.
- Km 0-5: Viale Kennedy, Galleria Laziale, Mergellina, Via Caracciolo, and Via Partenope, passing the fountain dedicated to the siren Parthenope.
- Km 5-10: Via Acton and Via Cristoforo Colombo, the Aragonese towers of Via Marina (Torre Brava and Torre Spinella), and a U-turn around the ninth kilometer.
- Km 10-15: Entering the city center between Piazza Libero Bovio and Corso Umberto I, then Piazza Municipio, one of Europe's largest squares, in front of the Maschio Angioino.
- Km 15-20: Returning along Via Acton and the Galleria Vittoria, back onto the Lungomare Caracciolo towards Mergellina.
- Last kilometer: The short climb back towards Fuorigrotta and the finish line on Viale Kennedy.
The total elevation gain is minimal, around 90-95 meters, concentrated almost entirely at the end: a profile that explains why the Neapolitan track has become a favorite for Italian specialists. Refreshment stations are located approximately every five kilometers, and pacers for the main target times are present during the race, along with bag storage and restrooms at the start, finish, and along the route.
The race weekend: Sport Expo, Family Run, and relay
The half marathon is just the final act of an entire weekend. The event village is set up at the Mostra d'Oltremare with the Sport Expo, where race bibs are collected and music, seminars, and interviews take place. Saturday is dedicated to the Family Run & Friends, a non-competitive, charity-focused 2 km run open to everyone with no rankings. On Sunday, alongside the individual race, there is also a charity relay and the fast walkers category, introduced in 2026.
Naples, a track for Italian records
The course has rewritten national lists multiple times. In 2024, Sofiia Yaremchuk set the Italian women's half marathon record here; in 2026, Yeman Crippa won and improved his own Italian record by 25 seconds. Alongside Kenyan top runners and international specialists, thousands of amateurs run every year: it is this coexistence of elite and running enthusiasts that gives the race its unique character.
From 2014 to today
The first edition in 2014 had just over 1,200 participants. The idea came from Neapolitan manager Carlo Capalbo, who brought the experience he gained in organizing major international running events to his home city. Twelve editions later, the race has surpassed 10,000 registrants and an estimated economic impact of over six million euros for the region, becoming one of the most effective tools for promoting tourism in Naples during the off-season.
Naples and Campania in one weekend
Those arriving for the race find much more than just a course in the City of Naples: the UNESCO historic center, the National Archaeological Museum, the pedestrian waterfront, Neapolitan pizza, and, a short distance away, Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast, and the islands of the gulf. The late February timing allows runners to combine the race with a weekend visit to one of Italy's richest regions in terms of archaeology and food and wine.
Naples Half Marathon — edition 2026
The twelfth edition of the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, was the most attended in the event's history: 10,000 bibs sold out, athletes from 117 nations, and more than half of the participants arriving from abroad, with the largest delegations from the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, and France.
On the flat course of the Lungomare Caracciolo, with ideal weather conditions, Yeman Crippa (GS Fiamme Oro Padova) won in 59'01", improving by 25 seconds the Italian record he already held; behind him were Kenyans Andrea Kiptoo (59'27") and Owen Korir Kapkama (59'42"). Among the women, Lucy Nthenya Ndambuki succeeded in 1h08'49", ahead of Nelly Jeptoo and the Finnish runner Susanna Saapunki. Pietro Riva finished fourth overall in 1h00'32", and Sara Bottarelli was the first Italian woman in 1h14'11".
The weekend included the Sport Expo at the Mostra d'Oltremare from February 20 to 22, the Saturday Family Run & Friends in support of SOS Sostenitori Ospedale Santobono, and the social project We Run Again, carried out with the Secondigliano prison and Sport e Salute, which brought some inmates to compete together with their families.
Programme Naples Half Marathon 2026
Friday, February 20, 2026
- 15:00-20:00 — Sport Expo and bib collection at the Mostra d'Oltremare, Hall 3B, entrance Piazzale Tecchio.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
- 09:00-21:00 — Sport Expo and bib collection, Hall 3B of the Mostra d'Oltremare.
- 11:00 — Family Run & Friends: non-competitive run of about 2 km inside the Mostra d'Oltremare, no rankings, open to all ages, supporting SOS Sostenitori Ospedale Santobono ets. As part of the We Run Again social project, inmates from the Secondigliano prison also participated with their families.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
- 07:00 — Opening of access to the start area from Via Marconi, Piazzale Tecchio, Via Terracina, and Viale delle Palme.
- 07:15 — Athletes' meeting at the Mostra d'Oltremare.
- 09:00 — Start of the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon (21.097 km) from Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, along with the Hyundai Relay charity relay and the new fast walkers category.
- Along the course: refreshment stations every 5 km approx., pacers for main target times, bag storage and restrooms at start and finish, medical assistance with ambulances and first aid personnel.
- Arrival on Viale J.F. Kennedy, awards ceremony, and village closing in the early afternoon.
Online registrations closed on February 18, 2026, at midnight, with the edition already sold out at 10,000 bibs.
Highlights Naples Half Marathon 2026
- Italian half marathon record: Yeman Crippa wins in 59'01", 25 seconds faster than his previous record.
- Men's podium: Yeman Crippa 59'01", Andrea Kiptoo (Kenya) 59'27", Owen Korir Kapkama (Kenya) 59'42".
- Women's podium: Lucy Nthenya Ndambuki (Kenya) 1h08'49", Nelly Jeptoo (Kenya) 1h09'26", Susanna Saapunki (Finland) 1h10'35".
- Top Italians: Pietro Riva fourth overall in 1h00'32"; Sara Bottarelli first Italian woman in 1h14'11".
- Sold-out edition: 10,000 registrants from 117 nations, 52% from abroad, with the Czech Republic, the UK, and France as the largest delegations.
- Estimated economic impact of over 6 million euros for the city of Naples.
- 2026 novelties: fast walkers category and Hyundai Relay charity relay.
Prices Naples Half Marathon 2026
Practical information — Naples Half Marathon
How to get there
The start and finish are in Fuorigrotta, on Viale J.F. Kennedy, in front of the Mostra d'Oltremare. The area is served by the Napoli Campi Flegrei station (Line 2 and Cumana), the Mostra station of the Cumana, and Metro Line 6; the new Line 7 Soccavo-Monte Sant'Angelo is also operational. Those arriving by high-speed train should get off at Napoli Centrale and continue via Line 2.
Traffic
On race day, traffic is prohibited on the course from approximately 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM; Viale Kennedy, between Via Arturo Labriola and Piazzale Tecchio, closes as early as 10:00 PM on Saturday. Bus stops, taxi stands, and bike lanes in the affected areas are temporarily suspended: it is best to leave your car in a guarded parking lot and travel by metro or bus.
Registration and bibs
Registrations are made exclusively online via the official Napoli Running website and close a few days before the race or when the maximum number of bibs is reached. Bib collection takes place at the Sport Expo at the Mostra d'Oltremare, Hall 3B, entrance at Piazzale Tecchio, on Friday afternoon and Saturday.
Tips
Book your accommodation well in advance: the half marathon weekend is one of the busiest times of the Neapolitan winter. The late February climate is mild, but it can be windy on the waterfront, so a long-sleeved technical shirt for warming up is recommended.
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Where does it take place — Naples Half Marathon
Lungomare Caracciolo e Viale J.F. Kennedy
Lungomare Francesco Caracciolo, 80122 Napoli