Pavia-Venice Raid

The great river marathon

The Pavia-Venice Raid is one of the most fascinating competitions in Italian motorsport: the longest inland motorboat marathon in the world, with a course of over 400 kilometers that goes from the Ticino river in Pavia to the Venetian Lagoon via the Po river. Founded in 1929, the race is a classic that attracts crews from all over Europe — Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Austria — and each year writes a new page in the "legend of the great river".

Pavia, heart of the event

Pavia, the capital of its province in Lombardy, is the historic starting point and host of the ceremonies. In the days leading up to the race, technical and sporting checks are carried out at the Pavia Motonautical Association, and the public can admire the boats up close. Among the most evocative moments is the parade of boats "on dry land", transported on trailers through the streets of the center — from Viale della Libertà to Viale Matteotti, along Strada Nuova to the famous Covered Bridge — in a procession that combines sport and city identity.

An international challenge

The actual race starts at dawn and tests drivers and vehicles on a very long and demanding course, with currents, shallows, and the vast expanses of the Po river. The number of registered crews, which can reach nearly a hundred, and the presence of foreign teams testify to the international prestige of a unique competition.

Between sport and tradition

For Pavia, the Raid is much more than a sporting event: it is an appointment that links the city to its river and its history. The ceremonies at Palazzo Mezzabarba, the seat of the Municipality, and the participation of the citizens make the Pavia-Venice Raid a shared heritage, capable of attracting enthusiasts and curious onlookers along the banks of the Ticino and Po rivers.