Trofeo Città di Messina - 10 km Road Race
The 10 km road race in the heart of the Strait city
About Trofeo Città di Messina
A road race in the heart of Messina
The Trofeo Città di Messina is one of the most popular road running events in Eastern Sicily. It is a competitive 10-kilometer race that transforms the streets of Messina—the capital of the Metropolitan City of the same name—into a major running circuit open to athletes of all categories every spring. The national-level event, sanctioned by FIDAL, is organized by ASD Podistica Messina, led by Santi Giacobbe, in collaboration with the Municipality of Messina.
The route along the Strait
The course is a fast, completely flat city circuit, certified and approved by FIDAL. The start is set on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, in front of the historic Cavallino Caffè, while the finish line is located in Piazza Unione Europea, opposite Palazzo Zanca. The route includes an initial semi-loop followed by four laps along Via Garibaldi, with turning points between Via Tommaso Cannizzaro and Viale Boccetta. Running this course means crossing the city's finest living room, just steps from the port and the famous view of the Strait.
A key race in Sicily
For years, the Trofeo has been a stage of the Sicily Grand Prix and serves as the Regional Club Championship, drawing clubs and athletes from all provinces of the island and occasionally from outside the region. Participation typically reaches around 400 runners, with a high-level technical field that makes the race a highlight of the regional running calendar. The day concludes with the awards ceremony in Piazza Unione Europea, featuring the presentation of official medals and club honors.
Sport and values
Beyond the competitive aspect, the Trofeo Città di Messina has always sought to combine sport with a social message, linking its editions to memorials and awareness initiatives. The event is an opportunity to experience the city through a lens of sport and solidarity, with crowds lining the route to help create a festive atmosphere along the streets of the city center.
- Distance: 10 km, flat city circuit
- Start: Via Giuseppe Garibaldi (Cavallino Caffè)
- Finish: Piazza Unione Europea
- Organization: ASD Podistica Messina, with the Municipality of Messina
- Status: Sicily Grand Prix and Regional Club Championship
Trofeo Città di Messina — edition 2026
5th Trofeo Città di Messina - March 8, 2026
The fifth edition was held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, a date chosen for a reason: the race was dedicated to the memory of Sara Campanella, on the occasion of International Women's Day, with the participation of the association named after her. About 400 athletes took the start at 10:00 AM from Via Garibaldi in front of the Cavallino Caffè, on a course valid as the Absolute Regional Club Championship and the fourth stage of the 31st Sicily Grand Prix 2026.
In the men's category, Federico Denisi (Podistica Messina) triumphed in 32'26", ahead of Mattia Rizzotto (Scuola Atletica Krotoniate, 32'31") and Francesco Bruno (Cus Catania, 32'37"). Among the women, Maria Virginia Salemi (Podistica Messina) won in 38'21", followed by Gaia Patrinicola (Monti Rossi Nicolosi) and Nadiya Sukharyna (Torre Bianca). In the Regional Club Championship, Podistica Messina was crowned Sicilian men's champion, while Torre Bianca won the women's title.
Programme Trofeo Città di Messina 2026
Saturday, March 7: Bib collection at Palazzo Zanca from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
Sunday, March 8: Bib collection from 8:00 AM; start at 10:00 AM from Via Garibaldi (Cavallino Caffè); finish at Piazza Unione Europea; awards ceremony at 11:45 AM with official medal and Diadora technical jersey.
Highlights Trofeo Città di Messina 2026
- Edition dedicated to the memory of Sara Campanella on International Women's Day
- Victories by Federico Denisi (32'26") and Maria Virginia Salemi (38'21"), both from Podistica Messina
- Approximately 400 participants from across Sicily
- Valid as Regional Club Championship and stage of the 31st Sicily Grand Prix
Practical information — Trofeo Città di Messina
Getting there
The start and finish area is located in the center of Messina, easily reachable on foot from the Messina Centrale railway station and the hydrofoil and ferry terminals connecting the city to Reggio Calabria and Villa San Giovanni. By car, take the A20 (Messina-Palermo) or A18 (Messina-Catania) motorway.
Registration
The race is reserved for FIDAL-registered athletes and affiliated sports promotion organizations, in accordance with the procedures indicated in the official regulations published by Podistica Messina. Bib numbers can be collected the day before at Palazzo Zanca or on the morning of the race.
Tips
As this is an urban circuit, we recommend arriving in the area well in advance due to temporary road closures. Messina offers numerous accommodation options in the city center, ideal for those arriving from out of town.
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Where does it take place — Trofeo Città di Messina
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 114, 98122 Messina