Puglia by UTMB

Puglia by UTMB, the great trail of the ravines

Every autumn, Castellaneta, in the province of Taranto, transforms into the Italian capital of trail running. What began as the Castellaneta Urban Trail (CUTPUGLIA)—a race through the historic town center and the surrounding countryside—evolved in 2025 into Puglia by UTMB, an official stage of the international UTMB World Series, the same circuit that culminates in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in Chamonix.

The event attracts thousands of athletes from dozens of countries and highlights a unique landscape: the Terra delle Gravine Regional Natural Park, one of the most extensive canyon systems in Europe. The routes connect the Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the Ionian beaches of Castellaneta Marina, passing through caves, rock-hewn churches, sections of the ancient Appian Way, centuries-old olive groves, and Mediterranean scrub.

Five routes for every level

The weekend offers five distances, ranging from sporty runs to extreme ultramarathons: the 10 km Costa Verde Trail along the coast, the 35 km Ginosa Rivolta Trail, the highly popular 50 km Castellaneta Underground Trail, the 85 km Maioliche di Laterza, and the queen race, the 144 km I Sassi di Matera, featuring nearly 3,800 meters of elevation gain. Each race awards Running Stones and UTMB Index points, the currency with which trail runners worldwide build their season.

An event that tells the story of Puglia

More than just a race, Puglia by UTMB is a way to discover the Ionian hinterland and the town of Castellaneta—birthplace of silent film star Rodolfo Valentino—in a whole new light. The event village, stands, bib collection, and award ceremonies bring the town to life for the entire weekend, providing a significant boost to sports tourism in the province of Taranto and throughout Puglia. Born from the passion of the local association La Fabrica di Corsa, the event has grown to join the UTMB family, putting Southern Italy on the global trail map.