The Race
| Next Race Date | Sunday 2 May 2027 |
|---|---|
| Course type | Loop (out-and-back to Sistiana, same square for start and finish) |
| Registration | Open entry online, no ballot |
| Ballot opens | Not applicable |
| Start | Piazza Unità d'Italia, about 09:00 in 2026 |
| Finish | Piazza Unità d'Italia |
| Total finishers | To be Confirmed |
| Avg race-day temp | To be Confirmed |
| Cutoff time | 6 hours |
| Free race-day transport | No start shuttle |
| Course certification | FIDAL certified 42.195 km |
History
Trieste's marathon came back in the spring after about ten years without one. The Trieste 42K sits inside the Trieste Spring Run, the festival that grew from the Bavisela and now includes a half marathon, a 21K that starts at Sistiana, and a 7 km Family Run that Triestines have run for 30 years. The organisers are ASD Trieste Atletica and APD Miramar.
The earlier Trieste marathon, the Maratona d'Europa, ran a different course and is a separate race. Its records belong to it and do not carry over. The new race starts and finishes in Piazza Unità d'Italia, the large square that opens onto the sea, and runs out and back along the coast. FIDAL certifies the distance at 42.195 km.
The first edition after the break drew about 700 registrations for the marathon in late April, set against about 3,000 for the half and a larger Family Run, and more than 10,000 runners took part across the three distances. Benjamin Kiprop Serem of Kenya won the men's race in 2:32:21, and Giulia Colombo of Italy won the women's race in 3:00:27. The race fell in the middle of a warm spring weekend, partly cloudy and about 20°C.
The organisers also set a fundraising target of €42,195, one euro for every metre of the marathon, for the paediatric departments of the Burlo Garofolo hospital.
The course
The marathon starts and finishes in Piazza Unità d'Italia. It leaves the square through the city, passes Borgo Teresiano and the redeveloped old port, and follows the Barcola seafront north-west. The road then turns on to the Strada Costiera, the cliff road that climbs gradually above the Gulf of Trieste towards Sistiana. The turnaround is at Sistiana, at about the halfway point, and the return follows the same road back down the coast to the square.
The first 10 km are close to sea level. The climb begins after Barcola and continues to the turn, so the second half of the outbound leg is the hardest. The return descends. The finish is flat. The chart rises from a few metres at the seafront to about 85 m on the plateau around Aurisina and Sistiana. FIDAL certifies the course at 42.195 km.
Kilometre by kilometre
Kilometre positions are approximate to about a kilometre. Replace them with the organiser's 2027 map when it is published.
Km 0 to 8: Piazza Unità to the Barcola seafront. The gun goes off in Piazza Unità d'Italia, with the sea on one side and the city hall on the other. The first kilometres run through the old centre and Borgo Teresiano, then north-west past the old port, the Punto Franco Vecchio at 5 and 6 km, on flat roads at sea level. The field is bunched and the streets are not wide, so the opening pace tends to be fast. Hold the planned pace. The Barcola promenade on Viale Miramare begins around 7 km, with the Gulf on the left.
Km 8 to 11: the seafront. This is the flattest and fastest section of the course. The promenade runs for several kilometres beside the water, with views across the Gulf. Spectators gather here, because it is the easiest place to see the race, and the course passes it twice. Settle in and conserve energy for what follows. The Trieste to Miramare cycle path takes over at about 10 km, close to Miramare Castle.
Km 11 to 22: the Strada Costiera. After the Miramare headland the road leaves the waterfront and begins to climb above the sea, 88 m over about 11 km at under 1 per cent, passing Grignano at 13 and 14 km and Santa Croce at 15 to 17 km, and reaching the plateau around Aurisina at 18 km. The climb is gradual and long, with no steep wall. Run by effort and not by pace, because the outbound hill costs more than it looks. The road is open to the coast, so a headwind or a bora gust shows up here. The turnaround is at Sistiana at about 22 km. Take water at every station in a warm spring.
Km 22 to 34: the descent. The return follows the same road and drops back down towards sea level, with a short rise after the turn and the descent starting at about 26 km. Runners who held back on the climb can run faster here, and those who pushed will feel the downhill in their quadriceps. Keep the stride short. The steepest stretch is the drop of about 26 m around Miramare at 32 km. The shuttle points for withdrawing runners at kilometres 21.097 and 30 are on this stretch.
Km 34 to 42.195: the waterfront home. The road returns along the cycle path and the Barcola seafront at 34 to 37 km and the old port at 38 and 39 km. The final 10 km are flat, which helps tired legs, but the sun is strong on the open waterfront if the day is warm. The last 2 km run through the old centre and into Piazza Unità d'Italia, where the finish is in the square.
Take the shortest line through the corners. The organiser's timing mat positions are not published, so check them at the expo.
The race starts in Piazza Unità d'Italia, runs through the old centre and then along the Barcola seafront. The road is flat and fast, so hold the planned pace.
The Strada Costiera climbs gradually above the Gulf to the turn at Sistiana. Pace by effort, take water and expect wind on the open road.
The return drops back down the same road. Keep the stride short and save your quadriceps for the final 10 km.
The last 10 km are flat along Barcola and the city. The sun is strong if the day is warm, and the finish is in Piazza Unità d'Italia.
Course Map
The map shows a recent edition's route, since the organiser has not published a 2027 map. Tap a marker for the start, finish and the places on the course, and scrub the slider or press play to move the orange marker along the course with the elevation profile beneath it.
Pacers
The 2026 rules promise free pacer groups at constant paces for entrants who want them, but the list of finishing times is not published. Ask at the expo.
The first 10 km are close to sea level. The climb begins after Barcola and continues to the turn at Sistiana, so the second half of the outbound leg is the hardest. The return descends and the finish is flat. Plan around the difference between the two directions.
Plan for spring weather with a warm streak. The most recent edition ran in partly cloudy conditions at about 20°C, and the start is at around 09:00, so most of the race is in daylight and rising warmth. Shorts and a singlet or short-sleeved top suit most runners. A hat and sunglasses help on the open waterfront in the last 10 km.
The road along the coast is exposed to wind. A thin layer is worth carrying to the start if the morning is cool, and bag deposit at the start area is free, so leave it there. A bora wind can make the coast feel colder than the temperature suggests, so check the forecast the week before and decide on a sleeve layer then. Use sunscreen if the day is clear. The finish is in the same square as the start, so the bag is waiting at the end.
Entry
Entry is open and online, with no ballot. The fee rises monthly, as in the table below. At about €1 to £0.858 those are about £34, £39, £43, £47, £51 and £56. Groups of ten or more pay €40 per person until the end of February. Processing fees may come on top. There is no race-day entry.
The minimum age is 20. Eligible competitors are FIDAL members, members of a World Athletics-affiliated foreign federation, RunCard and RunCard-EPS holders, and Italian or foreign residents of Italy with a RunCard. All need a valid medical certificate for track athletics. A foreign runner who is not a resident can enter on a non-competitive tourist-sport route, which is not ranked. Choose the correct category when entering, and check the rules for the exact paperwork.
The most recent rules allowed free bib transfers until 15 April and charged €5 from then until the day before the race. No changes are allowed after that. One clause in the same rules gave an earlier date, so confirm the 2027 terms before relying on a transfer. The race also supports a fundraising target for paediatric departments at the Burlo Garofolo hospital. No guaranteed-entry or fast-runner scheme is described.
| Registration window (2027) | Marathon fee |
|---|---|
| To 31 December | €40 (about £34) |
| January | €45 (about £39) |
| February | €50 (about £43) |
| March | €55 (about £47) |
| 1 to 28 April | €60 (about £51) |
| 29 April to the day before the race, at the expo only | €65 (about £56) |
Fast runner standards
There is no guaranteed-entry or fast-runner scheme.
Trieste Spring Run: Trieste 42K →Race Weekend
Expo Village and bib collection
The Expo Village stands in Piazza Unità d'Italia, which is also the start and finish. In the most recent edition the rules gave bib and race pack collection on Friday and Saturday from 09:00 to 20:00, while the organiser's page and a pre-race report said 10:00 to 20:00. The organiser also opened a registration desk on the Thursday afternoon, from 15:00 to 20:00, for registration only, without bibs. Treat 10:00 as the safe opening time for the Friday and Saturday before the race.
Bring photo ID and the confirmation email. A friend can collect a bib with a delegation form and an ID. The rules say bibs are not given out on Sunday, with a possible exception for runners from outside the region who ask in advance. The organiser's FAQ gave a different notice date for that exception, so ask by email and do not count on it. The expo is in the square beside the sea, so a runner staying in the old centre can walk to it.
Getting to the start
The marathon starts and finishes in Piazza Unità d'Italia. In the most recent edition the gun went off at about 09:00. Free bag storage was available at both the pre-start and finish areas for registered runners, and the organiser takes no responsibility for items left. The 2027 start time is not yet published.
A runner staying in the old centre walks to the start in a few minutes. Runners staying near the railway station, Trieste Centrale, walk about 1 km (0.6 miles) to the square. The marathon has no start shuttle. The shuttles that the organiser advertises run to Sistiana and Miramare for the half marathon and family start, so ignore them for the marathon.
Free shuttles take withdrawing runners from kilometre 21.097, kilometre 30 and kilometre 35 back to the finish area. Runners who miss the intermediate gate times may be asked to move on to the pavement or board a shuttle. The gate times are announced to entrants, and the rules say the time limit is 6 hours. Trieste Airport has a railway station beside the terminal with trains to Trieste Centrale. The Sunday timetable, strike notices and road closures must be checked before travelling.
Nutrition on course
The race fee includes refreshment on the course and at the finish. The rules say refreshment and sponging stations are placed according to World Athletics and FIDAL regulations, without giving the spacing. A station-by-station list, the products and the cup type for the coming edition are not published.
Plan to carry gels. The outbound climb on the Strada Costiera is where energy runs short, and in a warm spring, water matters more than usual. Take water at every station, and use a sponge station if the day is hot. Check the athlete guide at the expo for the station map and the product list.
Spectating
Piazza Unità d'Italia is the best single position, because the race starts and finishes there. A spectator sees the gun at about 09:00, can walk along the seafront to Barcola, and returns for the finish.
The Barcola seafront is the best second position. The course passes it on the way out, at around kilometre 8, and again on the way back, at around kilometre 36. It is the easiest place on the course to see the same runner twice. Sistiana is the turn and an optional third position. A seasonal boat service from Trieste serves Sistiana via Barcola, Topolini and Grignano, and the most recent timetable began on 25 April. Check the boat times against the race schedule, because the crossing on race morning may not fit. Roads along the Strada Costiera are closed to traffic during the race, so driving is not a choice.
- Start in Piazza Unità d'Italia for the gun at about 09:00
- Walk or take a city bus along the seafront to Barcola
- See the runners at about kilometre 8, then return to the square for the finish
- Take the seasonal Trieste to Sistiana boat via Barcola
- Watch the turn at Sistiana at about halfway
- Return by the same boat or a bus
Post-race food
The finish refreshments are in Piazza Unità d'Italia. For a proper meal, Buffet da Pepi, a few steps from the square, is the best-known place in Trieste for bollito, a plate of mixed boiled meats cut at the counter and served with mustard and grated horseradish. Order the cotechino and the pork, and add a pot of sauerkraut. It is a traditional buffet with a short menu, and it suits a hungry runner. Check its opening days and hours before going, because buffets in Trieste often close on Sundays or in the evening.
For coffee, Trieste is a coffee-roasting city with a long café tradition, so ask for a capo in b, the local macchiato served in a glass. A café on the Piazza Unità or near the Canal Grande works for a first sit-down.
Where to Stay
Stay close to the finish, which is also the start. Piazza Unità d'Italia is both, so a hotel in the old centre puts the runner within a few minutes of the gun and the bag deposit. At 09:00 there is no shuttle and no tram to catch.
Piazza Unità and the old centre
The practical base. The square is the start, the finish and the expo, so every part of the weekend is on foot. Streets are lively on Saturday night, so ask for a room away from the square. Rooms cost more here.
Borgo Teresiano and Trieste Centrale
Borgo Teresiano is the 18th-century district beside the Canal Grande. It sits about 1 km (0.6 miles) from Piazza Unità, and Trieste Centrale railway station is close. It suits a runner arriving by train and wanting a calmer street.
San Giusto and Cavana
The old district of Cavana lies between the square and the hill of San Giusto. It has narrow streets and cafés, and some of the lanes are steep, so check the hotel's route before booking. It is close to the start.
Barcola
Barcola is on the course and has sea views and a long promenade. It is roughly 4 km from the square, so a runner staying there needs a bus or taxi to the start. Choose it for a sea view, not for convenience.
Sistiana
Sistiana is the turnaround and the half marathon start. It suits a half-marathon runner more than a marathon runner, and it is far from the finish.
Trieste Airport has a railway station beside the terminal with trains to Trieste Centrale. Check the Sunday timetable and the journey time before relying on it. A car is unnecessary in the old centre, and coast roads close on race day.
Recommended hotels
A hotel on the square itself, a few steps from the start, finish and expo. Ask about early breakfast for a 09:00 start and check the rate for race weekend.
A waterfront hotel on the Riva, within walking distance of the square, with views of the seafront. Check the walk to the start and the breakfast hours.
A mid-range option near the station for a runner who arrives by train. Walk to the square on race morning.
Booking timeline
The entry fee rises monthly from €40 to €65, so book the entry early. Book a room with free cancellation once the date is firm, which is Sunday 2 May. Early May is a busy time in Trieste, because the Spring Run festival draws more than 10,000 runners across the three races, and rooms in the old centre fill first.
The half marathon sold out before the marathon in the most recent edition, but that does not predict how fast marathon places go. Fly into Trieste Airport or take the train to Trieste Centrale, and plan to reach the expo on Friday or Saturday, since bibs are not issued on Sunday.
See & Do
Distances are straight-line from the start and finish in Piazza Unità d'Italia. Check opening hours and prices.
Piazza Unità d'Italia
The square faces the sea on one side and the city hall on the others. It is flat and paved, so a short walk after the finish needs no stairs. The expo and the finish are here. Walk it in the morning before the race, when it is quiet.
Barcola waterfront
The long seafront promenade is on the course and is flat. It is a gentle walk on the day after the race. In spring the bathing platforms are quiet, and the Topolini area is the local summer swimming spot.
Miramare Castle and Park
The castle is on the Miramare headland, about 0.4 km from the course at kilometres 10 to 11. The museum opens daily from 09:00 to 19:00, with the ticket office closing at 18:30. The park is free and opens 08:00 to 19:00 from April to September. An audio guide costs €4.
After the Race
Race day is Sunday 2 May, so Monday 3 May is the first free day. Miramare Castle and Muggia are short, flat trips, and Ljubljana and Udine are a bus or train ride away.
A castle on a headland above the Gulf, on the marathon course, with a free park and a museum that opens daily. A short, flat visit that suits tired legs.
A small Venetian-style town across the bay, reached by boat. Flat streets, harbourside cafés and a fish lunch.
Slovenia's capital is a direct bus ride away, with a car-free old centre beside the river and a castle on the hill.
A Friulian city with a Venetian-style main square and Tiepolo frescoes in the archbishop's palace, reached by a direct train.