Ventasso Ecomarathon

A race in the heart of the Reggiano Apennines

The Ventasso Ecomarathon is one of the most beloved trail running races in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. It takes place in Busana, a hamlet of the Municipality of Ventasso, in the Province of Reggio Emilia (Emilia-Romagna), with start and finish near the Marathon Center, in Via Canevari and in the Piazzale Don Trentino Simonazzi area. Founded in 2003, the event has grown over time to become a benchmark for mountain running enthusiasts, attracting hundreds of participants from all over Italy each year.

Three routes through woods and ridges

The course is entirely set in a mountain environment, on loops that climb towards Monte Ventasso (1,727 meters) and cross the woods and pastures of the Apennines. The race offers three competitive distances:

• Ventasso Ecomarathon — 43 km with approximately 2,100 meters of positive elevation gain, the main event;
• Cadoniche Trail — 25 km with approximately 1,100 meters of elevation gain;
• Rondino Short Trail — 11 km with approximately 400 meters of elevation gain.

As it is a mountain race, the regulations require participants to be aware of the elevation changes and to have adequate equipment. Alongside the competitive races, there is a non-competitive walk of 11 km and the Mini Trail I Canevari for younger participants.

An ecological event

As the name suggests, the Ecomarathon places great emphasis on the environment: no plastic cups are distributed at the aid stations, and participants are asked to bring their own personal cup, in an effort to respect the territory they are crossing. The race is included in the national IUTA 2026 UltraTrail calendar and is a valid race for the IUTA Grand Prix.

In the footsteps of the wolf

The event's slogan, "in the footsteps of the wolf," evokes the wild nature of the high Reggiano Apennines, a land of forests, springs, and protected fauna near the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park. Running the Ventasso means immersing yourself in an authentic landscape, where mountain weather can change rapidly, making the challenge even more intense.