White Marble Marathon

The White Marble Marathon

The White Marble Marathon is the premier running event in the municipality of Carrara, located in the heart of the Massa-Carrara province, at the northwestern tip of Tuscany. Every February, the race transforms the Apuan coast into a grand sporting stage, with the start and finish lines set in Marina di Carrara. The name pays homage to the white marble of the Apuan Alps, the material that made Carrara world-famous and serves as the natural backdrop for the race.

A fast course between sea and mountains

The track is one of the fastest and smoothest in Italy: completely flat, it runs along the Apuan promenade with views of the Ligurian Sea on one side and the Apuan Alps and marble quarries on the other. The marathon route touches the shores of Marina di Carrara, Marina di Massa, and Montignoso, reaching the borders of Forte dei Marmi and crossing some of the most picturesque coastal stretches of the Versilia and Apuan Riviera.

The distances

The event is not just for marathoners: the program offers several races designed for every level of preparation.

• Marathon (42.195 km), the flagship race;
• Marble Hero, the intermediate distance of approximately 30 km;
• Half Marathon (21.097 km);
• 10 km "per Davide", a competitive and charity race also open to amateurs;
• Urban Trail (approx. 14 km), scheduled for Saturday.

A plastic-free marathon

The 2026 edition marked a turning point: the White Marble Marathon became Italy's first plastic-free marathon. No non-reusable plastic is included in the race pack, water and sports drinks are served in fully compostable cups at refreshment stations, and participants are given a personal sponge to reuse, with dedicated collection bins provided at the finish line. A sustainability choice that strengthens the bond between the race and its territory.

A growing event

Over the years, the Carrara race has grown to exceed two thousand registrants, with athletes from over twenty nations. Organized by the Fondazione Marmo, the event spans a weekend of sport: Saturday is dedicated to the Expo at Carrara Fiere and the Urban Trail, while Sunday morning hosts the road races. It is an opportunity to discover, on the run, the sporting and maritime face of a city known worldwide for its marble.