Sciot e Vnot

Sciot e Vnot: the Martina Franca race in the heart of the Itria Valley

The Sciot e Vnot is one of the most popular road races in Puglia, organized in Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, by the A.S.D. Martina Franca Running club. It is a 10-mile (16.093 km) road competition included in the national calendar of FIDAL, the Italian Athletics Federation. The curious name, in the local dialect, evokes the idea of "there and back": and this is precisely the nature of the course, which starts in Martina Franca, reaches the nearby town of Locorotondo, and returns to the starting point.

A route among trulli and dry-stone walls

The race winds along an urban and extra-urban route that is predominantly hilly, with start and finish in Piazza XX Settembre, in the center of Martina Franca. The course crosses the territory of the municipalities of Martina Franca and Locorotondo, in the heart of the Itria Valley, one of Puglia's most recognizable landscapes: kilometers of trulli, dry-stone walls, olive groves, and vineyards that accompany athletes through challenging climbs and descents. It is this scenery, combined with the competitive spirit of the event, that makes the Sciot e Vnot a favorite among runners throughout Southern Italy.

More than just a competitive race

Alongside the competitive event, the festival offers a recreational fun run (Family Run) open to everyone, allowing non-registered runners and families to experience the atmosphere of the day on a shorter course. Upon arrival, athletes are welcomed by refreshment stations along the route and a buffet of local traditional products, highlighting the race's connection to the food and wine culture of the Itria Valley.

An event that has grown year after year

Established in 2018, the Sciot e Vnot has grown rapidly, regularly exceeding a thousand participants in every edition. The race is part of regional running circuits such as the Grand Prix Terra Jonica and attracts prominent names from the national and international middle-distance running scene. It is an event that combines sport, tradition, and the promotion of the Apulian territory, turning a mid-February weekend into a celebration for the entire Martina Franca community.