Strapoggiomarinese

A race that belongs to the city

The Strapoggiomarinese is more than just a race: it is the time of year when Poggiomarino, a town in the province of Naples overlooking the Sarno Valley, unites in a collective ritual. From the early morning, the town center streets are closed to traffic and filled with athletes, families, children, and curious onlookers cheering from their balconies. The organizers view it as a true symbol of local identity, and the numbers back this up: in recent editions, the event has consistently exceeded six hundred finishers, with peaks of over seven hundred.

The course: ten kilometers in the heart of Poggiomarino

The race takes place on a 10-kilometer city circuit, starting and finishing on Via Roma. It is a flat, fast route that touches the town's main arteries—including Via Manzoni, Corso Garibaldi, Via XXIV Aprile, and Via Scafati—allowing spectators to follow the runners at multiple points along the loop. The start is traditionally set for 8:30 AM, with the affected streets closed to traffic during the race.

One of the most anticipated elements is the flying finish line at the 5th kilometer, a special prize that breaks the rhythm of the race and provides a burst of adrenaline for the crowd. The course features entertainment, music, and refreshment stations, with official announcer Carlo Cantales providing live commentary.

Eighteen years of running history

Founded in 2007, the Strapoggiomarinese has spanned nearly two decades of local sporting history. Long held in December—the 13th edition took place on December 8, 2019, the 14th on December 12, 2021, and the 15th on December 11, 2022—the event later moved to November, with the 17th edition held on November 3, 2024, and the 18th on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

• Distance: approx. 10 km, competitive road race
• Organization: ASD Joy of Running, chaired by Saverio Lettieri
• Promoting Body: EPS Opes Italia
• Patronage: Municipality of Poggiomarino and Campania Region
• Typical period: late November, Sunday morning

More than a race: sport, community, and solidarity

The social dimension is an integral part of the event's identity. At the end of the 2025 edition, the Joy of Running chose to donate the contribution originally intended for the association's Christmas lunch to the Parish of Sant'Antonio da Padova in Poggiomarino, to support local families in economic difficulty. This gesture perfectly reflects the spirit of a sports club rooted in the community, supported by local merchants and sponsors.

The post-race atmosphere is also traditional: awards for overall winners, categories, and teams, a final buffet, and a long social gathering that extends the morning well beyond the arrival of the last competitor.

Poggiomarino, between Vesuvius and the Sarno Valley

Poggiomarino has just under 22,000 inhabitants and is located in the Vesuvius hinterland, a few kilometers from Pompeii, Scafati, and Sarno. The municipal territory houses the protohistoric archaeological site of Longola, one of the most significant stilt-house settlements in Southern Italy. Running here means traversing an authentic provincial Campanian urban landscape, far from the tourist circuits but very close to some of the most famous destinations in the Campania Region.

The 2026 edition

At the time of writing, the ASD Joy of Running has stated that they are already working on the next edition, but the official 2026 date has not yet been announced. Considering the timing of recent editions, the event is expected in the second half of November. It is recommended to follow the organizing association's social media channels and running registration portals to find out the date, entry fee, and regulations as soon as they are published.