Prato's city half marathon, serving as the official FIDAL Tuscan Championship
The Prato Half Marathon is the most anticipated running event in this Tuscan city: every spring, it transforms the historic center of Prato into a massive open-air stage where thousands of runners and enthusiasts gather to run, walk, and celebrate along the city streets. The event, organized by the local committee with the support of A.S.D. Silvano Fedi and numerous local organizations, is a well-established tradition that has now surpassed its thirty-fifth edition.
The half marathon course covers the standard 21.097 km and is entirely urban, winding through multiple laps that showcase some of Prato's most iconic landmarks. It is a completely flat route, characterized by fast straights and smooth turns, making it a favorite for those looking to set a personal best. The start and finish are located in the heart of the city on Viale Piave, just a stone's throw from the famous Castello dell'Imperatore, the Swabian fortress that serves as a symbol of Prato.
The competitive race serves as the FIDAL Tuscan Half Marathon Championship: it awards regional titles in the Absolute, Promising, Junior, and Master categories, with prizes for the top three finishers in each category, both male and female. The starting line attracts over a thousand competitive athletesโrecord numbers for the Prato raceโalongside champions and special guests who enhance its sporting prestige.
The Prato Half Marathon is about more than just competition. Alongside the half marathon, there is the non-competitive Stracittadina and a fun walk open to everyone, as well as the Kids Fun Run for the little ones, organized in partnership with local associations like Avis Prato. The weekend kicks off on Saturday with the Village set up in Piazza delle Carceri, where participants can pick up their race bibs and enjoy silent disco walk zones, fitness and dance performances, and wellness-focused activities.
The event has always combined sport with social and charitable initiatives, involving local volunteer groups and the fabric of the Prato community. Running the Prato Half Marathon means experiencing a festive day along the city streets, surrounded by cheering crowds and the beautiful vistas of the Tuscan historic center. It is an event that has become a benchmark for both amateur and competitive running in the Tuscany Region.
The 2026 edition, the 36th, took place on Sunday, April 19, with a start at 9:30 AM from Viale Piave, in the heart of Prato. The competitive half marathon on the 21.097 km flat course served as the FIDAL Tuscan Championship, with regional titles awarded in the Absolute, Promising, Junior, and Master categories.
Alongside the main race, the Stracittadina and the 4 km walk took place, the latter led by race walking champion Milena Megli, in addition to the Kids Fun Run for children. On Saturday, the Village in Piazza delle Carceri hosted registrations, silent disco walk zones, fitness and dance performances, and wellness workshops.
By train: Prato is served by the Prato Centrale and Prato Porta al Serraglio stations, which are well-connected to Florence (about 20 minutes). From the station, the city center and the starting area are easily accessible on foot or by public transport.
By car: Take the Prato Est or Prato Ovest exits off the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway. Please note that traffic diversions in the city center are expected on race day.
Registration can be completed online via the official website or directly at the Village in the days leading up to the race. Fees vary depending on the chosen distance (competitive half marathon, Stracittadina, or fun walk).
The race starts at 9:30 AM: we recommend arriving in the area well in advance to pick up your race bib and warm up. For accommodation, Prato offers numerous options in the center and surrounding areas, and it is also easily reachable from Florence.
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Castello dell'Imperatore
Viale Piave, 59100 Prato