Strapollese

Ten kilometres through twenty centuries of history

The Strapollese is built on a simple, winning formula: "the 10 km race that runs through twenty centuries of history." The course, which is completely flat and free of significant elevation changes, winds through the streets of Polla, a town in the Province of Salerno overlooking the Vallo di Diano, in Campania. The route touches the medieval historic centre and passes by the Roman bridge over the Tanagro, the town's iconic monument, which in recent editions has also become the image featured on the finisher's medal.

It is this combination—a fast race suitable for setting personal bests, set against a recognizable historical and scenic backdrop—that has made the Strapollese one of the most anticipated late-summer running events in Campania.

A national event in the FIDAL calendar

The race is organized by the ASD Podistica Pollese, led by Rino Di Leo, under the aegis of FIDAL and CONI. The course is officially certified by the federation, and the event is included in the national road race calendar with a Bronze level status, featuring both individual and team rankings.

• Distance: 10 km road race, FIDAL-certified course
• National race, open to athletes aged 16 and over who are FIDAL members or hold a Runcard
• Valid as the FIDAL Campania Absolute Individual and Team Regional Championship for the 10 km distance
• Part of the Trofeo Coast to Coast circuit, connecting races in Campania and Puglia
• Twinned with the Salerno Corre 10 km race through the "Salerno Corre verso Polla" project

Recent editions have consistently exceeded five hundred entries, with athletes arriving not only from Campania but also from Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria, including national and international level runners.

More than just competition: Strapollesina and fitwalking

Surrounding the competitive race is a programme designed to involve everyone. The Strapollesina is a fun run reserved for children aged 4 to 14, which fills the town centre streets with young participants every year. Alongside the competitive event, there is also a non-competitive fitwalking course, open to those who want to experience the event's atmosphere at their own pace, without a stopwatch.

The Podistica Pollese is also active in charity: the club participates in Fitwalking for AIL initiatives, the walk supporting leukaemia research held in dozens of Italian cities, and in recent years has awarded symbolic prizes focused on the themes of inclusion.

The village and the town square celebration

The event's headquarters is Piazza Monsignor Antonio Forte, where a village is set up in the hours leading up to the start, featuring stalls showcasing local crafts, typical products from the Vallo di Diano, and local sports organizations. The late afternoon start allows for running in the best light and extending the festivities into the evening with awards ceremonies and refreshments.

In the 2025 edition, the course was enlivened by the bagpipes and drums of the City of Rome Pipe Band, a detail that perfectly captures the atmosphere: a serious race, but within the setting of a traditional town festival.

Polla and the Vallo di Diano

Polla is considered the gateway to the Vallo di Diano, the vast plateau carved by the Tanagro river that stretches along the edge of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The village preserves a medieval historic centre with narrow alleys, churches, and stone portals, and the Roman bridge itself—built in ancient times and having survived centuries of earthquakes—tells its long history. Running the Strapollese means crossing this heritage at race pace.

Organizers

Behind the event is the ASD Podistica Pollese, which has managed the race since its first edition in 2009, supported by the Sant'Antuniello association and backed by the Municipality of Polla and local partners such as Banca Monte Pruno. This continuity has brought the Strapollese, edition after edition, from a local race format to a federal event with regional championship status.