Two Towns Half Marathon (Nazzano - Ponzano Romano)

A race connecting two Tiber villages

The Two Towns Half Marathon was born from the simple and joyful idea of uniting two neighboring and historically linked communities through a race: Nazzano and Ponzano Romano, in the province of Rome, at the northern edge of the Lazio region, where the Roman countryside fades into the Sabina and the Tiber Valley. This is not a major urban marathon, but a local running event, promoted by both municipalities, that fills the streets every year with runners, families, and supporters.

The route between the two towns

The course ideally connects the two inhabited centers, with the start and finish lines involving the main squares and streets. It is a countryside route, featuring the rolling hills that dominate the river bend: low-traffic paved roads, glimpses of the Tiber, olive groves, and cultivated fields. For runners, the challenge lies in the elevation changes; for spectators, the charm lies in the landscape, one of the most pristine in this part of the Lazio region.

Nazzano, Ponzano Romano, and the Tevere-Farfa Reserve

The area crossed by the race is one of the most interesting along the lower course of the Tiber in the Lazio territory. Nazzano gives its name to the Tevere-Farfa Regional Nature Reserve, the first protected river area established in Italy, an important wetland frequented by numerous species of water birds. Ponzano Romano, perched on a tuff spur, preserves a compact medieval historic center and, not far away, the Abbey of Sant'Andrea in Flumine, one of the most remarkable Romanesque monuments in the area. Running here means crossing a piece of historical and natural landscape in just a few hours that many visitors are unaware of.

A community event

The Two Towns Half Marathon is more than just a race. The event revolves around the morning gathering, refreshment points managed by volunteers, award ceremonies featuring local products, and the convivial lunch or reception that closes the day. It is the kind of event where participation matters more than the stopwatch: alongside professional athletes, amateur runners of all ages take part, while a fun-run/walk allows families and children to cover the stretch between the two towns without a competitive ranking.

When the race takes place

The event is traditionally scheduled for the second half of March, when the Tiber Valley countryside is already green and the temperatures are ideal for running. The 2026 edition was held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, as officially announced by the Municipality of Ponzano Romano on its institutional channels.

Why participate

• A scenic route between two historic villages in northern Lazio
• Genuine atmosphere of a local event, far from large city races
• The chance to discover the Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve and the Abbey of Sant'Andrea in Flumine
• An event suitable for both competitive runners and those who simply want to walk
• Warm welcome from the two communities of Nazzano and Ponzano Romano

Surroundings to discover

Those arriving for the half marathon can easily extend their visit: the village of Ponzano Romano with its medieval layout, the center of Nazzano dominated by its castle, the trails and observatory of the river reserve, and further east, the Sabina region with its olive groves and the Abbey of Farfa. A day of sport can easily turn into a weekend discovering a lesser-known corner of the province of Rome.