Neapolis Marathon 2026: running in Naples on 18 October between Piazza Plebiscito and the seafront
Italy’s most beautiful race returns on Sunday 18 October 2026. Four distances, starting and finishing in Piazza del Plebiscito, on a FIDAL-approved course with virtually no elevation gain. Everything you need to know — including tips on where to stay with guaranteed parking.
Running in Naples in October is a privilege: the sun is still warm, the seafront glistens, and at every kilometre the city offers views that simply don’t exist anywhere else.
The sixth edition of the Neapolis Marathon takes place on Sunday 18 October 2026 and brings together thousands of athletes from all over Italy and abroad to test their mettle on one of the most spectacular routes in Italian running: starting from Piazza del Plebiscito, along the seafront, through historic alleyways, with Vesuvius as a backdrop, and back to the starting point with a medal around their neck.
The event generated an economic impact of over 5.9 million euros and attracted more than 11,000 visitors to Naples during one of the editions analysed.
It’s not just a race: it’s an event that transforms the whole city for a weekend. And whether you’re one of the athletes — or there to support a friend or family member taking part — this guide tells you everything you need to know, including why Binario Centrale Guest House is the ideal base.
The races: four distances to suit all levels
The Neapolis Marathon weekend features a packed programme for all levels: running alongside the marathon are the Neapolis Half Marathon and the Neapolis Sea Run, a non-competitive fun run open to everyone aged 16 and over.
The Magic Walk, a walk with a more tourist-oriented focus, is also on the programme.
| Race | Distance | Online entry fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 42,195 km | € 80 | Competitive · FIDAL · World Athletics · time limit 6 hours |
| Half Marathon | 21,097 km | € 40 | Competitive · FIDAL · time limit 3h15 |
| Sea Run | 12,4 km | € 18–22 | Non-competitive · aged 16 and over |
| Magic Walk | 6–7 km | --- | Leisure walk · Saturday 17 October |
The 2026 Neapolis Marathon will also host the Inter-Service Marathon Championship, with prizes awarded to the top three men and women overall. This honour adds further prestige to the event.
Registration: dates and how to register
Registration is carried out online via the NextRace platform on the neapolismarathon.it website. The entry fee for the marathon is €80 until 4 October 2026. Online registration will close on 4 October 2026.
Subject to availability, you can register at the Neapolis Marathon Village on Friday 16th from 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm and on Saturday 17th from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm, for a fee of €90. The Village is also where you can collect your race number: you must collect it in person, presenting a valid form of ID.
The entry fees for the Neapolis Sea Run are: €18 until 29 March, €20 until 30 August, €22 until 4 October 2026.
The route: Italy’s most beautiful seafront promenade
All races start from Piazza del Plebiscito at 8.00 am on 18 October 2026. The route is virtually flat: ideal conditions for those aiming for a new personal best.
This is the major technical advantage of the Neapolis Marathon compared to other Italian marathons: the flat route along the seafront and through the streets of the historic centre has no significant hills. At every kilometre, there’s a different view: Castel dell’Ovo, Vesuvius in the background, the Gulf of Naples, Mergellina, Posillipo. You’ll have a view of the Mediterranean for most of the race.
Technical specifications
The course is measured and certified by FIDAL, and is included in the World Athletics Calendar. Refreshment points are located every 3–4 km. Timekeeping is managed by Next Race using bib chips.
Pacers are available for the main finish times. Bag drop facilities, changing rooms, medical assistance and refreshments at the finish line are included in the race package.
The weekend programme
The Santa Chiara Monumental Complex is situated between Via Benedetto Croce, Via San Sebastiano and Piazza del Gesù, in the heart of Naples’ historic centre — on the Spaccanapoli axis, a stone’s throw from Piazza del Gesù Nuovo and the Basilica of San Domenico Maggiore.
From our guesthouse, Binario Centrale, just a stone’s throw from the Central Station, the route is straightforward:
VEN 16
Marathon Village — Race number collection
Via Santa Chiara 49/C
Piazza del Plebiscito, 2.00 pm–7.00 pm. Race number collection (with ID), last-minute registrations, partner expo stands. The perfect time to arrive in the city and familiarise yourself with the route.
SAB 17
Marathon Village + Magic Walk
Via Santa Chiara 49/C
The Village is open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. In the morning, the Magic Walk (6–7 km), a non-competitive walk for families and their companions. In the afternoon: a tour of the city, a light dinner, and some rest.
DOM 18
Race Day — start at 08:00
Via Santa Chiara 49/C
Meet at Piazza del Plebiscito at 07:00 · Start at 08:00 · Marathon (time limit 6 hours) · Half Marathon (time limit 3 hours 15 minutes) · Sea Run taking place at the same time. Prize-giving ceremony and refreshments at the finish line.
Binario Centrale Guest House: the ideal base for runners
Comfortable rooms, free covered car park, just a short walk from the underground and Central Station — and a 15-minute walk from the departure point
Free secure covered car park
This is the perk that makes all the difference to your weekend. Anyone travelling to Naples by car for the marathon knows that parking is a huge problem on race day: closed roads, diverted traffic, and full car parks. Our guests have a covered, secure parking space included in their stay — park on Friday evening, and head out on Sunday morning to run without a care in the world.
A 15-minute walk from the starting point
Distance matters, and even more so on race day. Piazza del Plebiscito — where all participants gather from 7.00 am — is just a 15-minute leisurely walk from Binario Centrale. No need for a taxi at 6.00 am, and no need to squeeze onto a packed metro with your racing kit. You can leave the hotel well-rested and warm up as you walk towards the start line.
Near the Central Station and the Underground
The night before a marathon and the night after a long race are just as crucial as your training. Our rooms are quiet, comfortable, well-ventilated and equipped with everything you need for a good night’s sleep. When you return from the finish line — medal round your neck, tired legs, a broad smile — you’ll find a room that’s just right.
Rooms designed for rehabilitation
The night before a marathon and the night after a long race are just as important as your training. Our rooms are quiet, comfortable, well-ventilated and equipped with everything you need for a good night’s sleep. When you return from the finish line — medal round your neck, tired legs, a broad smile — you’ll find a proper room waiting for you.
October is a very popular time to visit Naples. Book well in advance to ensure you get a room and a parking space.
Practical tips for runners visiting Naples
The day before: Friday and Saturday
Arriving in Naples by Friday at the latest is the right choice. It gives you time to collect your race number at your leisure, explore the city without rushing and familiarise yourself with the route. A gentle stroll along the seafront on Saturday afternoon — which forms part of the race route — is the best way to get to know the route and do a bit of warm-up.
Saturday evening dinner
Naples is the perfect place for carb-loading: pasta with tomato sauce, spaghetti with clams and maccheroni with ragù are high-energy dishes that are very gentle on the stomach. Avoid heavy fried food and alcohol. Find a good restaurant in the historic centre, just a short walk from the hotel, and be in bed by 10 pm.
On the morning of the race
We’ll meet at 07:00 in Piazza del Plebiscito, setting off at 08:00. Wake up at 5:30, have a light breakfast (which the hotel will prepare in advance on request), and off you go. A leisurely 15-minute walk will take you to Piazza del Plebiscito, giving you time to warm up, drop off your bags and find your starting sector.
The weather in Naples in October
October in Naples is one of the most pleasant months of the year for running. Temperatures range between 15 and 22°C, with clear skies most of the time and a light north-easterly breeze in the early hours of the morning. These are almost ideal conditions for a marathon, comparable to those in the major European capitals during their autumn races. Bring a light thermal layer for the minutes before the start, then leave it at the bag drop.
After the match: why stay in Naples for one more day
A Sunday afternoon after a marathon is one of the sweetest moments for a runner: a medal round your neck, tired legs, and a primal hunger. Naples has plenty to offer in all three respects. The seafront promenade where you ran is the very same place where you can sit and watch the sun set over Vesuvius. The narrow streets of the historic centre, which you saw whizzing past during the race, become a maze of pizzerias, pasta shops and cafés just waiting to be explored at a leisurely pace.
If you stay on through Monday as well, you’ll have a city at your disposal which, in October — without the summer tourist crowds — is more beautiful and more authentic than ever. The MANN (National Archaeological Museum), Capodimonte, Pompeii just 40 minutes away by train: everything you ran past during the race, you can now stop and take a closer look at.
Frequently Asked Questions — Neapolis Marathon 2026
Do you need a medical certificate to take part in the Neapolis Marathon?
To take part, you must provide a medical certificate confirming that there are no contraindications to running, to be submitted together with your RunCard. For the competitive races (marathon and half-marathon), valid FIDAL membership cards are also accepted. For the Sea Run (non-competitive), you simply need to sign a waiver.
Can I transfer my registration if I am unable to attend?
Any participant who notifies the organisers, no later than 27 September 2026, that they are unable to take part in the event may transfer their entry to the 7th edition of the Neapolis Marathon 2027, subject to payment of an additional €15 to cover administrative fees. Under no circumstances will the entry fee be refunded.
Is there a discount for those who have completed all previous editions?
Anyone who has run in all previous editions can apply for a 50 per cent discount by email. Contact the organisers via the official website, neapolismarathon.it, to check the eligibility criteria and request the discount code.
How does parking work for participants arriving by car?
The area around Piazza del Plebiscito is closed to traffic on the day of the race. There is no official car park reserved for participants. The most convenient and secure option is to stay at Binario Centrale Guest House, which offers its guests a covered, secure car park completely free of charge: you can leave your car safely on Friday evening and collect it on Monday morning without any hassle.
Where are the refreshment points along the route?
Refreshment points will be available every 3–4 kilometres. Both water and energy drinks will be available. Sponges and water will also be provided at the intermediate points. At the finish line, there will be a full refreshment station with food and drink to aid recovery.
What should you do in Naples on the Saturday before the match to avoid tiring yourself out?
Collect your race number at the Marathon Village in the morning; go for a gentle stroll (30–40 minutes) along the seafront in the afternoon to familiarise yourself with the route; have a pasta dinner in the historic centre; then get some rest. Avoid visiting museums where you’ll be on your feet for hours, or activities that tire your legs. Naples has so much to offer that you should save the sights for the days after the race.
Have you booked your
room in Naples?
The Neapolis Marathon has grown with each edition to become one of Italy’s most popular running events. The seafront route, the city serving as a backdrop, the October weather, the Neapolitan hospitality — everything comes together to make it an experience that goes far beyond the kilometres covered.
Binario Centrale Guest House is here to ensure you enjoy this weekend in the best possible way: free secure covered parking for your car, quiet rooms so you can get a good night’s sleep the night before, and a strategic location between the station and the city centre, allowing you to get there stress-free and head to the starting line with fresh legs.
- 54 Via Firenze, Naples
- 200 metres from the Central Station
- Parking included