Perdifumo in Corsa

A race in the heart of Cilento

Perdifumo in Corsa is an annual running event held every June, drawing runners and enthusiasts to the Municipality of Perdifumo, a small hillside village in the province of Salerno, Campania. This isn't a massive event; typically hosting around 150 athletes, its intimate size is precisely what makes it one of the most beloved races on the Cilento calendar. It takes place on a Saturday evening, when the soft light over the hills and the sea breeze make the landscape an integral part of the experience.

The course: nine kilometers between hills and sea

The track measures about 9 kilometers and unfolds entirely within the territory of Perdifumo. The start and finish are located in Piazza Municipio, the heart of the village. From there, athletes face a distinctly hilly route characterized by continuous undulations that offer no real flat sections for recovery. It is a race that rewards pacing and stamina over raw speed.

• Start and finish: Piazza Municipio, Perdifumo
• Distance: approx. 9 km, hilly terrain
• Turnaround point in the Acquacilento area
• Refreshment station along the route near the hamlets
• Panoramic views over the Gulf of Salerno

Passing through the hamlets—Perdifumo includes Mercato Cilento, Vatolla, Camella, and Giungatelle—turns the race into a journey through the living village: locals step out onto their doorsteps to cheer and point the way. It is the most genuine aspect of the event.

Organizers

The event is the result of a solid collaboration between the Pro Loco Perdifumo e Frazioni, the CSI of Cava de' Tirreni, and the A.S.D. Podisti Cava Picentini Costa d'Amalfi, with technical support from the Anvilo Team for registrations. The involvement of the Pro Loco highlights the character of the day: alongside the stopwatch, there is always a convivial atmosphere curated by local volunteers.

A stage of the Circuito del Sole

Perdifumo in Corsa is not an isolated event; the race is part of the Circuito del Sole, a Salerno-based running circuit that includes various local races, such as those in Eboli, Montecorvino Rovella, Battipaglia, and Buccino. For many athletes, the Cilento stage is the most anticipated, both for the landscape and the warm welcome provided by the organizers.

More than just competition

The event is open to FIDAL and EPS registered athletes with a valid competitive medical certificate, but it also includes a non-competitive walk that starts shortly before the main race, allowing families, beginners, and curious visitors to enjoy the village streets without the pressure of a leaderboard. This is a deliberate choice: to make the race a community moment rather than a showcase for specialists only.

Sport and gastronomy: Cilento-style acquasale

The hallmark of Perdifumo in Corsa arrives after the finish line. The final refreshment station, set up in the square, offers drinks, fruit, sweets, and above all, Cilento-style acquasale—a rustic peasant dish made with soaked stale bread, tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and oregano. It is the most direct way to introduce visitors to the cuisine of Cilento: few ingredients, all local, with no room for the superfluous. The awards ceremony, honoring the top finishers in both categories, also takes place in the square shortly after the race.

Perdifumo, a village in the Cilento hinterland

Perdifumo is a town of just under 2,000 residents, nestled on the heights that separate the Cilento coast from the interior, with a municipal area spanning about 24 square kilometers. Its position allows visitors to enjoy both the hillside air and sea views in a single day—a combination that is far from common in Cilento and which becomes the true added value of the race. Visitors from outside the region will find a quiet village, perfect as a base for exploring the less-traveled parts of the province of Salerno.

Information and registration

Registration is usually done online via the Anvilo Team portal or by emailing the Pro Loco at [email protected]. On-site registration is also available on the afternoon of the race, up until shortly before the start. Updated information, rules, and dates are published on the official event website and the "Perdifumo in corsa" Facebook page.