Notturna Lancianese

A race that turns into a festival in Lanciano's historic center

The Notturna Lancianese has become a staple of the Abruzzo running calendar: an evening race that, every year in early June, brings the historic center of Lanciano to life. Located in the province of Chieti, in the heart of the Frentano Abruzzo region, this event is more than just a competition—it is a true local festival that blends sport, tradition, and community, drawing athletes from across the region and filling the alleys and squares with people until late at night.

The route through the four ancient districts

The course is what makes this event unique. The city circuit, completely closed to traffic and fully secured, runs through all four of the city's historic districts: Lancianovecchia, Civitanova, Borgo, and Sacca. Running at night among the medieval walls, churches, palaces, and illuminated stairways of Lanciano offers an atmosphere that few road races can match.

• Competitive race: 9.9 km, two laps of the city circuit
• Non-competitive fun run: approx. 5 km, open to everyone through alleys and squares
• Youth races: events reserved for younger runners

Organizers

The Notturna is organized by ASD Tribù Run Lanciano, a running club established in early 2026 from the merger of two historic local groups, Tribù Frentana and Runners Lanciano, under the presidency of Luigi Russo. The event is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Lanciano with the collaboration of the local Pro Loco, and is part of the FIDAL Corrimaster, OPES Abruzzo, and Corrilabruzzo circuits.

Sport and community

The start, finish, and awards ceremony take place in Piazza Garibaldi, the city's living room, which transforms into the race headquarters for the evening. The night concludes with a pasta party, a moment of celebration that captures the spirit of the event: running together and then gathering around the table. Each edition sees growing numbers, with hundreds of participants including competitive runners, walkers, and children.

The Notturna Lancianese is a testament to how a race can become an opportunity to rediscover a city's historic center and enjoy an evening of outdoor sport in the heart of Abruzzo.