Stranovi

Stranovi, a tradition of Novi Ligure

Stranovi is one of the most beloved popular sporting events in Novi Ligure, a city in the province of Alessandria in the heart of lower Piedmont. It is a non-competitive fun run, open to everyone, with no rankings or timers: the goal is not to win but to participate, move together, and support a good cause. Now in its fortieth year, Stranovi has become an unmissable date on the city calendar and a true collective ritual for the locals.

The route through the historic center

The course winds for about 4 kilometers through the streets of the historic center of Novi Ligure, within the perimeter of the ancient city walls. The start and finish are located in Piazza XX Settembre, the city's living room, which transforms into a large meeting point during the event. The flat, accessible route allows participants to run or simply walk in company, discovering the most picturesque corners of the historic town illuminated by evening lights.

Sport, celebration, and charity

Stranovi is organized by CamminaNovi with the technical support of Atletica Novese and the patronage of the Municipality of Novi Ligure. The heart of the event is its charitable mission: registration proceeds are donated to local non-profits, including the Novi Ligure branch of the Italian Red Cross and local volunteer groups committed to social inclusion.

There is also a convivial and competitive dimension between groups: trophies are awarded to the largest school group (the Andrea Chaves Trophy) and non-school groups (the Fidas Trophy), prizes that spark healthy rivalry every year between schools, youth centers, and local associations.

An event that unites the city

With its festive atmosphere and the participation of thousands of people of all ages—children, young people, adults, and the elderly—Stranovi represents much more than a race: it is a moment of strong collective identity for Novi Ligure and the entire south-eastern Piedmont. An evening in late May where sport, charity, and a sense of community blend in the illuminated streets of the center.