Sorrento Positano - 54 km Ultramarathon and 27 km Panoramic Race

A race suspended between sea and mountains

The Sorrento Positano is a road race held in early December that traverses the Sorrento Peninsula, linking some of the most iconic spots in Campania. The meeting point is in the center of the Town of Sorrento, in the Province of Naples, between Corso Italia and Piazza Angelina Lauro, just steps away from the Christmas-decorated Piazza Tasso. From here, the route climbs toward the Colli di San Pietro, offering alternating views of the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, with Capri on the horizon and lemon terraces lining the road: more than just a race, it is a scenic route to run.

The 54 km Ultramarathon

The flagship event is the 54 km ultramarathon, starting early in the morning from Corso Italia-Piazza Angelina Lauro. In the first few kilometers, the course tackles the climb toward Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, passes through Sant'Agnello, Piano di Sorrento, Vico Equense, and Massa Lubrense, reaching the entrance to Positano around the 23rd kilometer—the turnaround point—before leading athletes back to Sorrento via Piazza Tasso. The total elevation gain declared by the organizers is nearly 1,500 meters: a tough race, much closer to a mountain run than a flat marathon, which previously earned the Bronze Label from the IUTA, the international ultramarathon association.

The 27 km Panoramica

Alongside the ultra, the Panoramica is held, a 27 km race starting and finishing in Sorrento. While it skips the stretch to Positano, it retains the best of the scenery. In past editions, the route took Via Nastro Verde, climbed to Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, continued along Via Nastro d'Oro around the 15th kilometer, and followed Via IV Novembre toward the 20th, passing through the center of Massa Lubrense at the half-marathon mark (21.097 km), where the Gran Premio Nastro Verde is traditionally awarded. The return leg follows the coast back to the finish line on Corso Italia.

More than just competition

The race weekend is designed for those not chasing a personal best: past programs have included a Family Run and Friends of about 2 km open to families and amateurs, an expo area with industry exhibitors, music, and entertainment in the center of Sorrento. The two competitive races are included in the FIDAL calendars and have always had a strong international component: in the most crowded editions, about 300 ultramarathoners and over 1,300 competitors in the Panoramica took part, with athletes coming from around twenty nations.

• Ultramarathon: 54 km, starting from Corso Italia-Piazza Angelina Lauro
• Panoramica: 27 km, start and finish in Sorrento
• Family Run and Friends: approx. 2 km, non-competitive
• Municipalities crossed: Sorrento, Sant'Agnello, Piano di Sorrento, Vico Equense, Massa Lubrense, Positano

Recent editions and the announced return

Following the Panoramica on December 4, 2022, and the edition scheduled for December 3, 2023, which saw the return of the 54 km race, the event did not take place in 2024. In November of that year, ASD Napoli Running announced that the edition could not be held due to a series of concurrent technical and logistical issues, while simultaneously expressing the desire to restart in agreement with the involved municipalities. At the time of writing, no official date for the new edition has been published, and specialized portals only generically indicate early December 2026: it is advisable to check the organizer's channels before booking.

Running the Coast in December

December is perhaps the best month to discover this part of Campania: temperatures remain mild, the summer crowds have vanished, and Sorrento lights up the illuminations in Piazza Tasso, while Positano shows its most intimate side. Those arriving for the race can easily reach Massa Lubrense, the Bay of Ieranto, the Path of the Gods, and the lemon groves that produce the famous local liqueur by bus or ferry. It is the kind of event that easily turns into a long weekend on the Sorrento Peninsula, blending running, panoramic views, and seafood cuisine.