On Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2, Bologna will be on the run. The Termal Bologna Marathon, including the 30 km dei Portici, the 21 km Run Tune Up, the Tecnocasa City Run 5 km, and the Tigotà KIDS Marathon, was presented today at the Sala Anziani in Palazzo d'Accursio, the seat of the Municipality of Bologna. The events are organized by Bologna Sport Marathon SSD a r.l., in collaboration with the Run Tune Up Association and with the support and sponsorship of the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Municipality of Bologna.

Event Schedule

Events for all: first to take the stage will be the young athletes of the future with the recreational Tigotà KIDS Marathon on Saturday, March 1. On Sunday, March 2, the first race to start at 9:00 AM will be the 21 Km Run Tune Up, followed at 9:20 AM by the joint start of the Termal Bologna Marathon and the 30 Km dei Portici, the latter valid for the Italian Federation of Sports for the Deaf (FSSI) Championship over 30 km. All competitive races are FIDAL sanctioned. The final event will be the Tecnocasa Bologna City Run 5 Km, a non-competitive event for those who wish to enjoy a Sunday of sport while admiring Bologna’s historic city center.

Participation Numbers

While organizational efforts are in full swing, behind the scenes there is great satisfaction due to the increasing number of participants, leading to an early sell-out for both the historic 21 Km Run Tune Up and the 30 Km dei Portici. Registrations for the flagship event, the Termal Bologna Marathon, have reopened, but only a few bibs remain. Overall, the event is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants, transforming the sports event into a festive weekend and a boost for tourism in the entire city.

Already, over 7,200 athletes have secured their spots in the competitive events, while the maximum number of non-competitive participants is set at 3,500.

Statements from Officials

Roberta Li Calzi, Councillor for Sports, Municipality of Bologna: “It’s wonderful to start this press conference with such an emotional video. Having personally experienced the event as an athlete, having awarded the winners, and having also been involved in the organization, I can say that behind these images lies an enormous effort both before and during this event, which is a great pride for the city. I thank the organizers and the entire administration of the Municipality of Bologna for their dedication, passion, and expertise in making this event a reality. I also thank the media for their coverage and ask them to highlight an important communication: we have just concluded a technical meeting with the Prefect, the Chief of Police, and Bologna Football Club because, on Sunday, March 2, at 3:00 PM, the Bologna vs. Cagliari match will take place. This match was not supposed to be scheduled, as the Municipality of Bologna had already communicated in September 2024 the city’s major event calendar to the Football League and Bologna FC, especially concerning the stadium area. Despite several reminders, we were only recently informed that the match will not be rescheduled. We are now working in synergy to communicate to the city that this coincidence should still be seen as a celebration, just like the marathon, which involves not only Bologna but also the metropolitan area and represents a great opportunity for tourism and community engagement. In agreement with Mayor Matteo Lepore, we have launched an extensive communication effort. Long live the marathon, and let’s move forward with a smile!”

Teresa Lopilato, President of Bologna Sport Marathon: “A special thanks to my team. This weekend is the result of a year-long effort. We have surpassed 7,000 competitive athletes across the three distances, with 33% coming from dozens of foreign countries. The female participation rate is also high, with women making up 31% of the competitors. But numbers are not everything—Termal Bologna Marathon aims to excite and engage, growing more integrated into the city’s fabric.”

Ester Balassini, National FIDAL Councilor: “It is an honor to support such an organization and work alongside two women in leadership, Councillor Li Calzi and President Lopilato. FIDAL believes in the marathon and in young athletes, as we are building the future together.”

Sustainability Initiatives

Bologna Marathon has established a Green Team to minimize environmental impact through concrete and valuable actions. These include waste reduction, recycling, and the use of zero-emission ecological vehicles. This year, the Termal Bologna Marathon is collaborating with Culligan, which will provide local water dispensers to eliminate plastic bottles. Additionally, after the race starts, teams from the La Fraternità Social Cooperative will collect and repurpose discarded clothing items.

Giulio Giampieri, President of Culligan Italy: “In line with our sustainability commitment, Culligan has chosen to collaborate with the Termal Bologna Marathon 2025 to bring solutions that enhance water quality while reducing environmental impact. We are proud to provide our filtration systems for athletes and spectators and hope this initiative encourages new sustainable habits for community well-being.”

Charity Initiatives

The Tecnocasa Bologna City Run 5 km, a non-competitive race through the city center, pairs sports and wellness with a charitable initiative in collaboration with the CSI Bologna Committee and supported by Banca di Bologna. Participants can choose a charity partner when registering, supporting organizations such as ABIO Bologna, ADMO Emilia-Romagna, AIL Bologna Odv, and many more.

Lorenzo Rinaldi, Area Manager of Tecnocasa Group Bologna: “All Tecnocasa, Tecnorete, and Kìron agencies in Bologna and the province will actively participate in this major sports project, promoting genuine values and engaging a broad audience interested in sports, health, and wellness.”

The Race Route

Massimo Scarciello, Race Course Manager: “Despite various construction challenges, we have largely maintained the previous year’s routes for the marathon and 30 km, while improving the half marathon course based on runner feedback. Nearly half of the race passes through Bologna’s historic center.”

The Termal Bologna Marathon will start on Via Irnerio near Parco della Montagnola, passing landmarks such as the University of Bologna, Piazza Verdi, Strada Maggiore, Via Santo Stefano, Piazza San Domenico, and Piazza Maggiore, where the finish line will be located.

Medals and T-Shirts

Participants will receive commemorative Joma T-shirts: royal blue for the marathon, red for the 30K dei Portici, and navy blue for the 21K Run Tune Up. The finisher medal, designed by Paolo Niutta, features the Palazzo della Mercanzia, symbolizing Bologna’s rich gastronomic tradition.