The Race
| Next Race Date | Sunday 25 October 2026 (sold out) |
|---|---|
| Course type | Point-to-point |
| Registration | Open entry online, sold out for the 2026 race |
| Ballot opens | Not applicable |
| Start | Villa Pisani, Stra, about 09:40 |
| Finish | Riva dei Sette Martiri, Venice |
| Total finishers | To be Confirmed |
| Avg race-day temp | To be Confirmed |
| Cutoff time | 6 hours |
| Free race-day transport | Yes, athlete-only buses to the start and boats from the finish |
| Course certification | AIMS / World Athletics measured; FIDAL Gold Label per the organiser |
History
The first Venice Marathon was run on 18 May 1986, with 713 starters, and it has stayed a point-to-point from the Brenta canal to the lagoon ever since. It began as a marathon from Stra, the town where the Pisani family built their villa, to Venice, and it has grown into a three-distance weekend that now sells out months ahead. The organiser reported more than 20,000 runners across the distances in 2025, including about 7,100 in the marathon, and about 23,000 entries across all three distances had sold out by 3 August for the 2026 race.
The structural problem for the organisers is the finish. Thousands of runners have to pass from the mainland into a pedestrian city of stone bridges, so the race lays a temporary pontoon bridge across the Grand Canal and builds wooden ramps over the small bridges in the last kilometres. High water is the other variable. In 2018 the late stages met floodwater in the streets, a rare event that nobody can plan around.
The race is certified over 42.195 km and carries the FIDAL Gold Label. It is part of the age-group ranking run by the Abbott World Marathon Majors, but it is not itself one of the Majors.
The course
The race starts at Villa Pisani in Stra and follows the Riviera del Brenta eastwards through Fiesso d'Artico, Dolo, Mira and Malcontenta. It reaches Marghera at about halfway, runs through Mestre and enters Parco San Giuliano, where it spends more than 2 km before the long approach to Venice.
The Ponte della Libertà is the road and rail causeway across the lagoon, about 4 km long and exposed to the wind. At the Venice end the course follows the waterfront past Tronchetto and the Zattere, crosses the temporary Grand Canal pontoon bridge at Punta della Dogana and passes Piazza San Marco. It ends at Riva dei Sette Martiri.
The surface is mostly asphalt, with a short section of large stone slabs in Venice, and the organiser lists 14 bridges with ramps in the last 3 km. There are also three short uphill pieces and tram rails to watch.
Kilometre by kilometre
Kilometre positions are approximate to about a kilometre. Replace them with the 2027 map when it is published.
Km 0 to 12: the Brenta villas. The race starts inside the park of Villa Pisani, after an early bus from Mestre or Tronchetto. The first kilometres follow the canal road along the Riviera del Brenta through Fiesso d'Artico at 1 to 4 km and Dolo at 5 and 6 km, past villas that were built by Venetian families as country houses. The road is flat and the field is dense, so the opening pace tends to be quick. By Mira, at around kilometre 10 to 12, the crowds thin and the pace settles.
Km 12 to 26: Malcontenta to Mestre. The canal road gives way to Malcontenta at 17 to 20 km and the outskirts of Marghera at 21 to 24 km. This stretch is plain and industrial, and the halfway mark falls in Marghera. The route crosses the built-up area into Mestre at around kilometre 25. Water and sports drink are on offer every 5 km from kilometre 5, and biscuits and fruit from kilometre 15.
Km 26 to 33: Mestre and San Giuliano. Mestre's town streets lead into Parco San Giuliano at about 30 km, where the race runs for more than 2 km on park paths and meets the shorter-distance routes. The park is on the lagoon edge, and the first open view of Venice comes near here. Tram rails cross parts of the mainland section, so lift the feet over them.
Km 33 to 37: the Ponte della Libertà. The causeway runs for about 4 km in a straight line from about kilometre 33.5, with the lagoon on both sides. There is no shelter, so wind direction decides how hard this feels. A headwind here costs time at the point where most runners are tired, and a tailwind can feel as if the road is moving for you. Settle into a steady rhythm and avoid the temptation to surge towards the skyline.
Km 37 to 42.195: Venice. The bridge ends near Tronchetto and the course follows the waterfront along the Zattere at 39 and 40 km. Just after kilometre 40 it reaches Punta della Dogana and crosses the temporary pontoon bridge over the Grand Canal, then passes Piazza San Marco and the Doge's Palace at about kilometre 41. The last 3 km hold the 14 ramped bridges, and a short section of large stone slabs. The ramps are short, but each is a small climb on tired legs. Take the shortest line, shorten the stride on the slabs and walk the steepest ramp if needed. The finish is on Riva dei Sette Martiri, beside the lagoon.
Timing mats are at 5, 10, 15, 21.097, 25, 30, 35, 40 km and the finish.
Start inside Villa Pisani's park and follow the canal road past the Brenta villas on flat ground. The field is dense, so hold the planned pace.
A plain stretch of town and industry, with the halfway mark in Marghera. Take water and food on schedule.
Park paths on the lagoon edge, with tram rails to watch and the first view of Venice.
About 4 km on the Ponte della Libertà with no shelter. Wind decides the effort.
The waterfront, the pontoon bridge over the Grand Canal, 14 ramped bridges and the finish on the Riva.
Course Map
The map shows a recent edition's route. Tap a marker for the start, finish, expo, bus stops and the places on the course.
No elevation chart is drawn for this course. It runs at lagoon level, and satellite elevation along the causeway and the Venice waterfront reads the water and returns values at or below zero. The organiser publishes no profile, and the only climbs are the ramped bridges in the last 3 km.
Pacers
The 2026 team covers 3:00 to 6:00 in 15-minute steps. Latecomers to the corrals start at the back. Paces per kilometre are computed from 42.195 km.
| Target time | Pace per km |
|---|---|
| 3:00 | 4:16 |
| 3:15 | 4:37 |
| 3:30 | 4:59 |
| 3:45 | 5:20 |
| 4:00 | 5:41 |
| 4:15 | 6:03 |
| 4:30 | 6:24 |
| 4:45 | 6:45 |
| 5:00 | 7:07 |
| 5:15 | 7:28 |
| 5:30 | 7:49 |
| 5:45 | 8:11 |
| 6:00 | 8:32 |
The organiser announced on 3 August that all three distances were sold out, at about 23,000 entries in total. Registration for the following edition has opened on race night in the past, so watch the official site on the evening of the race.
The clocks go back one hour overnight on 24 to 25 October 2026, so set alarms in local standard time. This does not apply in 2027, when the clocks change a week later.
Free buses take marathon athletes from Mestre station and Tronchetto to the start at Stra, and a free boat takes them from Giardini to Tronchetto after the finish. Spectators cannot use them. A runner finishing near the six-hour limit has little margin before the last boat at 16:00.
Late October in the lagoon is cool and changeable. The start is at about 09:40, so the first hours of the race are in mild morning air, and the open causeway at the end can be windy. Shorts and a short-sleeved top suit most runners, with arm warmers or gloves for the start if the morning is cold. A thin disposable layer for the start area is sensible. Bag deposit is available, with a deadline at 08:55.
The race passes through stone streets, tram rails and wooden ramps, so choose shoes with grip that you have already worn on wet road. Avoid brand-new shoes. If rain is forecast, a thin cap keeps water out of the eyes. High water can flood parts of the finish area, so a spare pair of dry socks in the bag is a small comfort.
Entry
Entry is open online and the race sells out. For the 2026 race the organiser announced on 3 August that all three distances were sold out, at about 23,000 entries in total, so there is no normal checkout for that edition. Registration for the following edition has in the past opened on race night, which in 2025 was 26 October at 20:00. If that pattern holds, entries open on the evening of the 2026 race.
The 2026 fee tiers are in the table below, before processing charges. At about €1 to £0.858 they were about £69, £77, £90 and £103. The late tier did not mean places were still available.
The minimum age is 20. A competitive entry needs a FIDAL card or a RunCard or RunCard-EPS, and a valid competitive medical certificate. A runner with a club card from a recognised foreign federation can enter with the original signed declaration at bib collection. The English page also describes a non-competitive tourist route, so confirm the classification and the paperwork when entering. Base fees are non-refundable. Optional Endu insurance is quoted at 9 percent of the fee with cover of up to 90 percent, subject to policy terms. No official resale or waiting list was found.
| Registration window (2026) | Marathon fee |
|---|---|
| To 31 March | €80 (about £69) |
| April to June | €90 (about £77) |
| July and August | €105 (about £90) |
| From September | €120 (about £103) |
Fast runner standards
There is no guaranteed-entry or qualifying standard.
Venicemarathon: official site →Race Weekend
Exposport Venicemarathon Village
The expo is the Exposport Venicemarathon Village at Parco San Giuliano in Mestre, near the Porta Blu. In 2026 it opens on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, from 09:00 to 20:00. No bib collection is listed for Sunday.
Bring the digital confirmation letter, which the organiser sends about a week ahead, and photo ID, plus any outstanding eligibility documents. The bib includes a disposable chip, and the official shirt comes with it, with the size chosen at collection. Tram T1 stops at San Giuliano. From Mestre station, take T2 and change to T1 at Mestre Centro, or take bus 9 or 15. Race-week changes to public transport can override the ordinary service, so check ACTV before travelling. The expo is on the mainland, so runners staying on the island need to cross to Mestre on Friday or Saturday.
Getting to the start
The marathon starts at Villa Pisani in Stra, about 26 km from Venice in a straight line, so race morning begins early. Free buses for marathon athletes leave Mestre railway station between 06:40 and 07:20 and Venezia Tronchetto between 06:50 and 07:20. Each bus is marked 42K, and the buses are for athletes only.
At the start there are toilets and changing tents. The bag trucks close at 08:55, and bags go in the numbered truck matching the sticker on the bib. The organiser takes no responsibility for loss or damage. The corrals open at 09:10 and close at 09:25, by bib colour, and the gun goes at about 09:40. Latecomers start at the back. The clocks go back one hour overnight in 2026, so set alarms in local standard time.
After the finish, an athlete-only free boat runs from Venezia Giardini to Tronchetto from 12:15, with the last boat at 16:00. A connecting bus goes on to Mestre or Stra. An ordinary ACTV vaporetto ticket is not included. A runner who finishes close to the six-hour limit starts at about 09:40 and ends at about 15:40, which leaves little margin before the last boat at 16:00, so plan a way back that does not depend on it.
Nutrition on course
Water and sports drink are served from kilometre 5 and every 5 km after that. Biscuits and fruit join the tables from kilometre 15. There are no sponging stations, so a warm day means taking water at every table.
The 5 km spacing is wide for a marathon, and the plain middle section through Marghera has no scenery to distract from hunger. Carry gels that you have already trained with, and plan to take one before the causeway at about kilometre 33, because the wind and the bridge ramps leave little chance to eat later. Put used cups and packaging in the marked bins only. After the finish, the bag at Giardini della Biennale holds water, a sports drink, fruit and snacks, and beer, according to the organiser's published list.
Spectating
Riva dei Sette Martiri and the Giardini are the best single position, because the finish is there. The recovery area itself is for athletes only, so spectators meet their runner outside the Giardini. Allow time, because Venice is a pedestrian city and every route between viewpoints involves bridges.
The marathon shuttle buses to Stra are for athletes only, so a spectator cannot watch the start. A spectator in Mestre can see runners pass in the town or in Parco San Giuliano at about kilometre 30, then travel to Venice by tram and bus. The boat bridge near San Marco can be controlled for spectators, so check access on the day.
- Take tram T1 or a bus to Parco San Giuliano in Mestre
- See the runners at about kilometre 30
- Travel to Venice and walk to the Riva to meet the finish
Post-race food
The finish bag at Giardini holds water, sports drink, fruit, snacks and beer, so the first food is free. After that, Venice is a short walk and a long wait: tables near San Marco and the Riva are crowded on a race Sunday and priced for tourists. Book ahead if you want a sit-down lunch, and ask your hotel for a trattoria in Castello, the quiet district behind the Riva, where prices drop with every street you move from the water.
A cicchetti crawl is the Venetian way to eat on foot. Cicchetti are small plates, usually served at a bar counter with a glass of wine, and they suit a runner who cannot face a full menu. Order a few at a time and eat standing up.
Where to Stay
Choose the base by the first bus, not by the finish. The athlete buses leave Mestre station from 06:40 and Tronchetto from 06:50, so the question is how you reach one of those stops before dawn.
Mestre
The mainland town beside the lagoon and the largest supply of hotels. The station is the earliest bus stop, the expo is at Parco San Giuliano by tram, and the Venice trains run every few minutes. Mestre lacks the lagoon setting but it makes race morning simple. Rooms are cheaper than on the island.
Tronchetto and Piazzale Roma
The island's car and bus terminals on the mainland edge. The second athlete bus leaves from Tronchetto, so a hotel here puts you within a short walk or tram ride of it. The area is functional and not pretty.
Cannaregio and Santa Lucia
The district around Venezia Santa Lucia station has hotels and train links, and it feels more like Venice than Mestre does. The walk or boat to Tronchetto is longer before dawn. Check how you will get there at 06:30.
Castello and Giardini
Castello is near the finish, so the post-race walk is short. The cost is a pre-dawn journey to Tronchetto, which can mean a walk of 30 minutes or more across bridges or a boat that may not be running. Choose it for the finish and not for the start.
San Marco and Dorsoduro
These are the sightseeing areas, with a price premium. Luggage and bridges make arrival harder. Fine for a visitor who will walk, harder for a runner on race morning.
Stra
Stra is next to the start, but the return to Venice after the finish is awkward, and the town has few hotels. Choose it only if the start is the priority.
Marco Polo Airport is the main airport, with bus and boat links to Piazzale Roma, Mestre and the island. Check the Sunday and Monday services and any strike notices.
Recommended hotels
Named by the organiser as an official hotel for the 2026 race. Ask about a room block, early breakfast and transfers when booking.
Booking timeline
The race sells out well before the weekend. For 2026, all three distances were sold out on 3 August, so the first thing to book for a future edition is the entry. Registration for the following edition has opened on race night in the past, so check the organiser's site on the evening of the race.
Book a refundable room as soon as the date is firm. Venice hotels are scarce and the race weekend adds demand, but no sellout curve or weekend premium was found. Choose cancellable lodging near the shuttle you plan to use, and do not book non-refundable travel for an edition you have not got a place in. Plan to collect the bib on Friday or Saturday at San Giuliano, since there is no Sunday collection.
See & Do
Distances are straight-line from the finish on Riva dei Sette Martiri. Venice is a pedestrian city, so every route involves bridges.
Giardini della Biennale
The public gardens beside the finish hold the athlete recovery area on race day. On other days they are a quiet, flat walk in Castello. Exhibition and venue schedules change, so check before going.
Piazza San Marco and the Doge's Palace
The square and the Doge's Palace are on the final stretch of the course. Timed entries sell out, so book before travelling. The square is flat but crowded, and the nearby bridges add steps. Visit it on Monday in the morning, when legs are tired and queues are shorter.
Villa Pisani, Stra
The villa and its park are at the start line. A full ticket for the villa and park is about €10 and a park-only ticket about €4.50. The villa is closed on Mondays, and the hedge maze opens only from April to September.
After the Race
Race day is Sunday, so Monday is the first free day. The Villa Pisani is closed on Mondays, and Murano, Burano, Padua and Verona are all easy from Venice.
Glass-making on Murano and painted houses on Burano, reached by a single water-bus line from Fondamente Nove.
Go back to the start line on Tuesday, when the villa is open, for Tiepolo's ballroom ceiling and a park you ran through at speed.
A university city with Giotto's frescoes, a huge central square and arcaded streets, a short train ride from Venice.
A Roman amphitheatre, a medieval river bend and a main square, reached by a direct train from Venice.