Ventotene Run4EU

A race on the island that symbolizes Europe

The Ventotene Run4EU launches in 2026 as one of the most evocative running events in the Lazio region: a race on an island of just two square kilometers that holds a monumental place in the continent's history. It was here, while in exile, that Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi wrote the Ventotene Manifesto, considered a cornerstone of the dream of a united Europe. The name «Run4EU» explicitly claims this connection: running in Ventotene means racing through a piece of European history.

The race program

• 11 km competitive and non-competitive — the flagship event, a technical and scenic route with approximately 300 meters of total elevation gain;
• 6 km sprint — competitive and non-competitive, covering the first loop of the 11 km course, with about 160 meters of elevation gain;
• Family Run — a non-competitive 3.5 km walk open to everyone;
• Kids Run — reserved for young runners aged 4 to 17.

The route

The start is set at the Roman Port, the ancient harbor carved into the tuff rock during the Imperial era, with the finish line in Piazza Castello, the town's main square. In between, the course captures the essence of the island: the narrow alleys and stairways of the historic village, the beach at Cala Nave, the tuff grotto, constant climbs and descents, and breathtaking sea views. It is a course that rewards pacing over pure speed, offering panoramas impossible to find in a traditional road race.

A sustainable, limited-entry event

To protect the delicate environmental balance of Ventotene, a nature reserve and protected marine area, the organizers have set a maximum limit of 300 participants. This approach, counter-current to mass-participation events, makes the Run4EU an intimate experience: the island is not overwhelmed, but rather visited with a light footprint. Logistics are planned accordingly, with coordinated packages that include ferry, accommodation, and secure parking in Formia on the mainland.

The race weekend

The event spans two days. Saturday, October 17th, is dedicated to welcoming participants: bib collection, opening of the race village, music, entertainment, and course presentations. Sunday, October 18th, is race day: starting with youth events, followed by the main races in the late morning, and concluding with a pasta party and awards ceremony in the convivial atmosphere typical of local running events.

Ventotene, the smallest municipality in Lazio

The Municipality of Ventotene, in the province of Latina, is the smallest town in the Lazio region and one of the smallest in Italy: a few hundred inhabitants on a volcanic island in the Pontine archipelago. For the Lazio Region, the event represents a model of off-season sports tourism: October is a month when the island returns to its slow rhythms, and the race becomes an opportunity to discover it out of season, amidst Roman history, European memory, and Mediterranean nature.

Organization and circuits

The Ventotene Run4EU is organized by ASD Elba Runners, presided over by Damiano Di Cicco, with the patronage of CONI, UISP, and the Municipality of Ventotene. The race is included as stage no. 20 of the «In Corsa Libera» OPES running circuit and the Tyrrhenian Sea Circuit, which unites races on the islands of Elba, Giglio, and Ventotene: a sporting bridge between the islands of the Tyrrhenian.