San Felice da Nicosia Trophy

A race in the heart of Nicosia

The San Felice da Nicosia Trophy is an annual road race held at the end of May, bringing the historic center of Nicosia—a charming village in the Nebrodi mountains in the province of Enna, Sicily—to life. Organized by the A.S.D. Talin Club Nicosia, the event bridges the gap between sport, religious devotion, and community spirit, perfectly reflecting the town's identity.

The Course

The race takes place on a city circuit of approximately 1.6 km, repeated four times for a total distance of 6.5 kilometers. The track, which is slightly undulating with continuous ups and downs, starts at Piazza Garibaldi, in front of the Cathedral portico, and runs through Via Fratelli Testa, Piazza Marconi, Via Roma, and Via IV Novembre, with a turnaround along the Piazza Santa Maria di Gesù viewpoint before returning toward Largo Duomo and Piazzetta Leone II. It is a route that allows runners to race past the most beautiful monuments and vistas of the village.

San Felice, the Patron Saint

The Trophy is dedicated to Saint Felice da Nicosia (1715–1787), a humble Capuchin friar born and raised in the city, canonized in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI and proclaimed the regional patron saint of blood donors. The race coincides with the festivities in his honor and includes a final refreshment station set up right in front of the saint's birthplace, highlighting the strong bond between sport, faith, and tradition that defines the event.

A Competitive Event

The San Felice Trophy is more than just a local festival: it is a leg of the Enna-Caltanissetta Interprovincial Grand Prix and serves as the FIDAL Enna Provincial Championship for individual and team road running. Each edition attracts around a hundred athletes from all over central Sicily, with local running clubs competing for the finish line.

Focus on Youth

Before the main race, the program features a significant segment dedicated to youth races, with events reserved for various categories of beginners, juniors, and cadets. It is a way to introduce younger generations to track and field athletics and involve the entire Nicosia community in a day of outdoor sport.

A Community Event

The organization relies on the collaboration between the Talin Club, the Fraternitas of San Felice, and the local Bersaglieri group. All participants receive a race pack with supplements, local products, and gadgets, while a rich refreshment area awaits them at the finish line. The San Felice da Nicosia Trophy has thus become a consolidated fixture of Sicilian road running, capable of uniting competition, tradition, and hospitality.