Rive Run – 2nd Stage of the Sesia Running Circuit

The Rive Run, sport among the rice fields of Vercelli

The Rive Run is a running event that takes runners and walkers through the countryside of Rive, a small town of about 450 inhabitants nestled in the rice-growing plains of the Province of Vercelli, in Piedmont. As the second stage of the Sesia Running Circuit, the race turns the roads and paths between the rice fields into a loop to be run or walked, with the central Piazza XXIV Maggio serving as the beating heart of the day.

A race and a walk for everyone

The Rive Run follows the format that has made the entire Vercelli circuit popular: two routes designed to welcome both competitive athletes and those who simply want to enjoy a morning in the open air. On one hand, there is the 8.5 km competitive race on a cross-country track; on the other, the 5 km fun run, perfect for families, groups of friends, and enthusiasts of all ages. The landscape is typical of the Vercelli area: rice fields, irrigation ditches, and vast skies that offer stunning views in spring.

The Sesia Running Circuit

The Rive Run is part of the Sesia Running Circuit, a series of races organized by A.S.D. Sesia Running, a club that has celebrated twenty-five years of activity and brings together various races scattered across the towns of the Vercelli plains into a single ranking. Those who participate in multiple stages enter the final circuit ranking, with individual and team awards: a way to build community among the local towns, from Vercelli to Stroppiana, from Albano Vercellese to Borgo Vercelli. The inclusion of Rive as a stage is a new addition to the circuit, resulting from the collaboration between the running club and the Rive Festival Committee.

A local community event

More than just a race, the Rive Run is a community celebration: the gathering in Piazza XXIV Maggio, the shared start, the passage through the rice fields, and the return to the town create a convivial atmosphere that involves the entire municipality. Sport, nature, and local tradition intertwine in a day designed for well-being and sharing, attracting runners and walkers from neighboring towns in the Vercelli area.