This February will see the 10th running of the Napoli City Half Marathon.
An event which since its launch in 2015 has established itself as one of the most prestigious, and fastest half marathons in Europe. In 2026 Naples will be the European Capital of Sport, and this beautiful city will be the focal point for all sporting activities in Europe.
The journey to 2026 begins in Naples on February 25th this year, with the Napoli City Half Marathon. Race Director Carlo Capalbo says: "We have worked hard over many years to show that it is possible to organise large, professionally run, sporting events, and by working in synergy with local institutions and partners here in Naples, we have been able to create a wonderful event in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, championing the sport of running."
With good weather almost certain, and great elite fields already signed up, the event in 2024 is unlikely to disappoint. Temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-teens, and with a fast course that follows the coastline passing through the most beautiful and historic parts of the city, from the waterfront to the Castel dell’Olivo and past the Mostra d’Oltremare, the Napoli City Half Marathon promises to be better than ever.
In 2022 Yemen Crippa broke the Italian record with a run of 59:26 and the elite field this year is again very strong, including a fabulous line up of international star performers, who have their minds set on running the fastest time for a half marathon on Italian soil. The names include Great Britain’s Emile Cairess (1:00:32), who finished 6th in the 2023 London Marathon and has shown great form already this year, alongside Kenyan Bernard Kipkurui Biwott (59:44) and Anthony Kimtai (1:00:30). Together they form part of a field in what is bound to be a very close-run race.
Organisers Napoli Running are aiming to make Napoli the fastest Italian half marathon for both men and women, and have ensured that the women’s field is equally as strong as the men’s, with local favourite Sofiia Yaremchuk, who ran 1:08:49 at the last RomaOstia Half Marathon joined amongst others by the Kenyan Angela Jemesunde Tanui (1:07:16), a winner here in 2019, and Anchinalu Dessie Genaneh (1:07:30). The field also includes German Kristina Hendel who has a personal best over the distance of 1:10:38 from Istanbul in 2022, and boasts several Croatian national titles.
Carlo Capalbo says: "With such strong fields set to line up at this year’s event, we are expecting the Napoli City Half Marathon to produce some exciting races and fast times in both the men’s and women’s events. We will continue the tradition of putting on a world class half marathon here in Napoli and look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best athletes along with almost 6000 runners from over 67 countries to join us for what will be a great sporting weekend."