Strong and enthusiastic participation marked the two‑day opening of the Village dedicated to the Mezza Maratona d’Italia – Memorial Enzo Ferrari, the event organized by RCS Sports & Events with Ferrari as hosting partner.
Today’s highlight was the 4,000 runners in the Family Run, the first of the three scheduled races, on a 5‑km route suitable for all participants, who were able to run through the Ferrari citadel in the spirit of sharing and inclusiveness that defines this event. A true celebration of sport embracing the territories of Maranello, Fiorano Modenese, Formigine, and Modena.
On stage were the Mayor of Maranello, Luigi Zironi, Michele Antoniazzi, Ferrari Chief Human Resources Officer, and Maya Weug, runner‑up in the F1 Academy.
After the welcome remarks from Ferrari, hosting partner of the event, and the presentation of the winners’ medal produced in the Factory—an emblem of innovation and craftsmanship—the four primary school classes that won the “Scuole in corsa” project were awarded. The initiative involved 19 primary schools from the four municipalities along the race route.
The initiative invited the classes to express creativity and enthusiasm by producing drawings, posters, and banners inspired by the values of sport: participation, team spirit, and a sense of community. Recognition for the best projects was awarded to classes 1A and 1B of the Rodari primary school in Maranello, class 3A of the Enzo Ferrari primary school in Fiorano Modenese, and class 5A of the Carducci primary school in Formigine.
Tomorrow, march 29, the Mezza Maratona d’Italia “Memorial Enzo Ferrari” 2026
The 21 km race will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 10 km at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. The award ceremonies will take place in Piazza Roma in Modena at 11:00 a.m.
The numbers and fun facts about the parrticipants
Significant figures were recorded in terms of registrations, with runners coming from all over Italy and abroad: 15,000 participants across the three distances, 32% of whom are international runners, representing a total of 88 countries. The most represented among them include the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Poland, the United States, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, and Slovakia.
The youngest runner is Michael Obermüller, born in 2008, while the oldest is Luigi Simoni, born in 1946. There will be 1,878 participants running a 21 km race for the first time.
In the 10 km, 29% of participants are international runners. A large number of women are registered, making up 44% of the total.
Over 350 volunteers, along with more than eighty sports associations and third‑sector organizations, will be involved under the coordination of the Modena Running Committee.
The Athletes
A top contender could be Kenyan Dennis Kipruto, who holds a personal best of 1:00:17 and will be competing against fellow Kenyan Shadrack Kipngetich Koech and Ugandan Alex Kiplangat, with personal bests of 1:01:12 and 1:01:38 respectively. Representing Italy is former national team athlete Ahmed El Mazoury (Vanotti Running Team), while Moroccan runner Abdelkarim Ezzouhti (Atl. Mondovì Acqua S. Bernardo) also deserves attention.
Among the women, the spotlight is on Kenyan athletes Regina Wambui Ndungu and Susan Wanjiku Kamoto, who have both achieved outstanding times this year: 1:07:10 and 1:07:56.
Italy fields former national team member and 2016 European Mountain Running Championships bronze medallist, as well as reigning national half marathon champion, Sara Bottarelli (Freezone). In excellent form, she improved her personal best at the end of 2025, recording 1:11:31.
Also representing Italy are cross‑country specialists Laura and Elena Ribigini (Atl. ARCS CUS Perugia), with best times of 1:19:19 and 1:20:58.
The Routes
All routes have been designed to highlight both the competitive dimension and broad community participation, engaging athletes, enthusiasts, and local communities.
The 2026 course of the Mezza Maratona d’Italia – Memorial Enzo Ferrari covers 21.097 km, passing through the municipalities of Maranello, Fiorano Modenese, Formigine, and Modena. The start is the same for the 10 km, which will also begin in front of the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and share several symbolic locations in the early part of the race, including running through the Ferrari factory grounds, along Viale Enzo Ferrari, the Fiorano Track, and the new e‑Vortex circuit. While the 10 km will complete a loop and return to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, the 21 km, after winding through the Factory, will instead continue through the surrounding municipalities on a linear, fast course all the way to the finish line in Piazza Roma in Modena.
RAI Sport HD is confirmed as the official broadcaster. The first delayed airing will be on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:45 p.m., with reruns from Wednesday, April 1 to Monday, April 6.
Traffic Management
Road closures. Parking will be prohibited in several areas.
Municipality of Maranello – From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Via Enzo Ferrari, crossing of Via Abetone Inferiore, Via Grizzaga roundabout, Via Toscana, Via Martinella, Via Vignola, Via 8 Marzo roundabout, Via 8 Marzo, Via Zozi roundabout, Via Zozi, Via Nazionale, Viale Vittorio Veneto, Via Fogliano, Via Claudia, Via Nazionale–Viale Alfredo Dino Ferrari roundabout, Via Michele Albereto, Via Trebbo Nord, Via Giardini SP3. From 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Via Alfredo Dino Ferrari, Via Nazionale, Via Fornace, Via Tazio Nuvolari.
Municipality of Fiorano Modenese – From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Ubersetto – Via Giardini SP3. From 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Via Gilles Villeneuve.
Municipality of Formigine – From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Via Giardini Sud SP3, Via Trento e Trieste – Piazza della Repubblica, Via Giardini Nord SP3, Casinalbo – Via Pietro Giardini Nord SP486.
Modena – From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Baggiorava, Via Pietro Giardini Nord, Piazzale del Risorgimento, Corso Canalchiaro, Corso Duomo, Via Emilia city centre, Via Luigi Carlo Farini, Largo San Giorgio, Piazza Roma.
2026 Partners
Many partners have chosen to run alongside RCS Sports & Events for the Mezza Maratona d’Italia. Among the institutions supporting the event are the Province of Modena, the Municipalities of Maranello, Fiorano Modenese, Formigine and Modena, as well as the Italian Athletics Federation (FIDAL), under whose authority the event takes place, OPES (Organizzazione per l’Educazione allo Sport) and FISPES (Italian Federation of Paralympic and Experimental Sports).
Essential contributors, in addition to technical partner Brooks Running, include sponsors such as Cetilar Nutrition (Sport Nutrition Partner), Fiat (Mobility Partner), Acqua Panna (Official Mineral Water), Dole (Official Supplier), Kerakoll (Official Supplier), as well as Hera and Sebach (Suppliers). Media partners include Gazzetta di Modena and Radio Bruno.
