The Race
The course climbs for the first half and descends for the second. On the route the road rises about 98 m over 6.6 km (1.5%) between 4.6 km and 11.2 km, past the Marmore Falls, then runs on a gentle rise to a turnaround near 24 km at about 267 m, and comes back down the same road. It is not a flat valley run, and it changes how to pace the first half.
| Next Race Date | Sunday 21 February 2027, not yet confirmed by the organiser |
|---|---|
| Course type | Out and back (Terni up the Valnerina and back) |
| Registration | Open entry; 2027 terms not yet read |
| Ballot opens | Not applicable |
| Start | Central Terni, 09:30 |
| Avg race-day temp | Not confirmed |
| Cutoff time | 6 hours |
| Free race-day transport | A free shuttle is listed by a race calendar; details unconfirmed |
History
The Maratona di San Valentino is organised by Amatori Podistica Terni, and the 15th edition was held on 15 February 2026. The date is chosen for the feast of Saint Valentine, whose basilica is in Terni, and the race has a couples' marathon in which two runners share the 42.195 km.
A 2020 local article records the tenth edition on 16 February 2020 and reports about 2,000 competitive and 1,000 non-competitive runners from 25 countries in 2019 across all distances. Its medals were designed by students of the Liceo Artistico Orneore Metelli that year.
In 2026 Hicham Boufars of Morocco won the marathon in 2:17:41, 17 seconds off the course record, with Umberto Persi second in 2:22:32 and Yassine Zaki third in 2:23:54. Daniela Valgimigli won the women's race in 2:50:24. Umbria 24 reported runners from more than 50 nations across the weekend, and more than 1,200 finishers in the half marathon.
The course
The marathon and half marathon start at 09:30 in central Terni. Runners gathered in Piazza della Repubblica on race morning, according to Umbria 24, while a 2020 article gave a start in Corso del Popolo and a finish in Piazza della Repubblica, so the start and finish venues need confirming.
The organiser's route description, as reported by Telepass Moveo, begins in the centre of Terni and heads towards the Basilica of San Valentino with an initial slight climb. After 1.5 km of flat ground the road descends towards the Valnerina. It runs near the Marmore Falls, through Arrone and Ferentillo, to a turnaround at Torre Orsina, and returns to Terni.
The roads were closed to all vehicles along the route from 09:30 to 15:30 in 2026. Telepass Moveo lists eight streets that closed in the city: Corso del Popolo, Lungonera Savoia, Via XX Settembre, Via Di Vittorio, Via Turati, Via San Valentino, Viale Brin and Via Cervara.
Kilometre by kilometre
The organiser's description is short, so treat every position as approximate.
Km 0 to 5: out of Terni. The race starts at 09:30 on Corso del Popolo and heads for the Basilica of San Valentino. The ground rises from 125 m to about 136 m by 2.5 km, passing Via Pastrengo at 1 km and Via Serrati at 2 km, then drops slightly through Viale Turati and Via Martin Luther King at 3 and 4 km. The organiser describes a slight climb, then 1.5 km of flat, then a descent.
Km 5 to 14: the Valnerina begins. The first real climb is here: about 98 m over 6.6 km (1.5%) from 4.6 km, through Viale Brin at 6 km and Via Cervara at 7 km to Papigno on the SS209 Valnerina at 8 to 10 km, the steepest part at about 3.3% around 9 km. The road reaches Marmore at 11 km, near the falls, at about 225 m, and then runs level through Collestatte Piano at 12 and 13 km and Collestatte at 14 km.
Km 14 to 24: Arrone, Ferentillo and the turn. The SS209 runs on at 220 to 240 m past Casteldilago at 16 km and Fontechiaruccia at 17 to 21 km, close to Arrone. A further 28 m climb over 2.8 km (1.0%) from 21 km takes it through Precetto at 22 and 23 km to the turnaround near 24 km at about 267 m, the high point of the course, by Via della Pace. Precetto is next to Ferentillo. The organiser names Torre Orsina as the turnaround, and Telepass places it at 21 km, so confirm the position.
Km 24 to 42.2: back down the valley. The return runs back along the same road. It drops 26 m by 26 km, holds near 225 to 240 m to 34 km, then loses 101 m over 6.3 km (1.6%) from 35 km, the steepest fall at about 3.7% between Marmore and Papigno at 36 km. Viale Brin at 40 and 41 km leads back into Terni, and the finish is in the centre at about 136 m. The field meets runners coming the other way on the out-and-back sections.
A slight climb towards the Basilica of San Valentino, a short flat and a drop to the river.
98 m over 6.6 km on the SS209 through Papigno to Marmore, steepest around 9 km, then level.
A level, gently rising valley road to the high point of about 267 m near 24 km.
The same valley in reverse, with a 101 m descent from 35 km into the city.
Course Map
The start and finish venues are unconfirmed. Tap a marker for the start, finish and the places on the valley road, and scrub the slider or press play to move the orange marker along the course with the elevation profile beneath it.
Pacers
Pacemakers are listed as a service by a race calendar. Times, flag colours and the 2027 programme have not been published. Confirm the groups with the organiser.
The gun is at 09:30 in February in a river valley. No sourced average temperature is available, so check the forecast in the week before. A valley in winter can be cold at the start, and a throwaway layer helps.
The organiser lists baggage storage, so a dry top and a warm layer can go in the bag for the finish. Gloves suit the early kilometres. A light waterproof is worth carrying if rain is forecast.
Entry
The 2027 fee table, entry platform terms and deadline have not been read. The registration page listed by running.life is on icron.it. The 2026 regulations could not be parsed, so the age limit, medical rules and foreign-runner rules for the competitive race are unconfirmed.
Running.life lists a non-competitive 42 km and 21 km option for foreigners, which suggests a tourist route similar to other Italian races, but the terms and waiver were not found. No ballot or guaranteed-entry route was found. Refund and transfer rules were not found.
Fast runner standards
There is no guaranteed-entry or qualifying standard.
Maratona di San Valentino: official site →Race Weekend
Bib collection
Bib collection hours and the venue have not been published in the pages checked. Check the organiser's programme.
Getting to the start
The marathon and half marathon start at 09:30. The 2026 report has runners assembling in Piazza della Repubblica, while the 2020 start was Corso del Popolo. The roads were closed along the route from 09:30 to 15:30 in 2026, and the cutoff is 6 hours.
A free shuttle is listed among the services, with its route and times unconfirmed, and so are baggage storage and showers. A hotel in central Terni keeps the morning a walk. Several central streets stay closed until 15:30.
Nutrition on course
The organiser's services list includes refreshment stations with gluten-free options. Their kilometre points, drinks and gels have not been published. Carry your own gels.
Spectating
The simplest sighting is central Terni, at the start and finish area, which is closed to traffic from 09:30 to 15:30. The valley towns of Arrone and Ferentillo are on the course, but road closures limit access and no spectator plan was found.
- Stay in central Terni for the 09:30 start and the finish
- The cutoff is 6 hours, so the finish window runs to about 15:30
Post-race food
No finish-area food or named restaurants were found. Terni's centre is close to the finish area. Check which restaurants open on the Sunday and book ahead, especially around the feast of Saint Valentine, when demand is likely to be high.
Where to Stay
The 2026 report says runners gathered in Piazza della Repubblica, and the 2020 finish was there too. Stay in central Terni.
Central Terni
The best base, walkable to the start and finish area. Several central streets are closed on race morning, so check access for a car.
Arrone and Ferentillo
Both lie on the course, but are small and far from the start.
Near the Marmore Falls
A scenic area on the route at about 11 km, but needing a transfer to the start.
Narni and Spoleto
Nearby towns with their own hotels, each needing a checked early transport option.
Booking timeline
The race weekend falls on or near Saint Valentine's Day, and the 2026 edition was reported as a record turnout, so hotel demand is likely to be high. Confirm the 2027 date with the organiser, then book refundable lodging in central Terni. Check the entry terms and any fee bands as soon as they are published.
See & Do
The first and third stops are in Terni. The falls are on the course.
Basilica of San Valentino
The basilica the route heads towards in the first kilometres, honouring the saint whose day gives the race its date. Check opening hours.
Cascata delle Marmore
The waterfall near the course at about 11 km. Visiting hours depend on the water release schedule, so check before going.
Terni centre
The start and finish area, flat and walkable.
After the Race
The race is on a Sunday in February, so recovery days start on the Monday. Take a bus to the falls, or a train to Spoleto, Rome, Perugia or Assisi.
The waterfall on the race route, seen without a bib, with the opening hours and water schedule to check first.
A hill town in Umbria, with a flat lower town and steps above.
One night in Rome before a flight, with a flat central walk.
Two nights in Umbria's hill cities, with flat stretches and a flight from Perugia or Rome.