Sunday, November 30: the 41st Estra Firenze Marathon and the 2nd 10K Firenze Marathon
Registrations still open for the 3×7 Firenze Marathon Charity Run and the San Benedetto Ginky Family Run on Saturday, November 29
A route through timeless art and history
FLORENCE — Florence is preparing to reveal itself in all its beauty as it welcomes the thousands of marathon runners who sold out the event well in advance. Many international participants will be on the start line— for many of them, this might be the first chance to experience Florence all at once: kilometers of streets, corners, and squares filled with art and history, speed along the Arno riverbanks, cheering crowds, and the irresistible charm and beauty shaped by centuries of human creativity. A dream to experience at the 41st Estra Firenze Marathon on Sunday, November 30.
The 41st Estra Firenze Marathon will also award the titles of the 25th Banking and Insurance Marathon Championship, offering major financial companies and their employee associations (CRAL) the opportunity to demonstrate their strength and participation in sports events, while giving individual runners the chance to stand out among colleagues and beyond their professional contexts.
The route of the 41st Estra Flirenze Marathon
Start – Km 5
The first striking image is the start line, scheduled for 8:30 AM in Piazza Duomo, where runners will have a maximum of six hours to return and cross the finish line. After the start, athletes will head toward the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and continue toward Piazza San Marco. Shortly after, they will pass in front of the Church of Santissima Annunziata, continue toward Piazza Donatello, and reach the Fortezza da Basso, commissioned by Alessandro de’ Medici and now a major exhibition center, just before the 5 km mark.
Km 5–20
Runners will head toward Florence’s green lung, Parco delle Cascine, running along the right bank of the Arno from the historic center and exiting near the Visarno Hippodrome, then moving toward the Ponte della Vittoria, originally commissioned by Grand Duke Leopold II in 1835 in honor of Saint Leopold.
Once across the bridge, they will continue along Lungarno Santarosa and Lungarno Soderini, before seeing the Column of San Felice, erected by Cosimo I de’ Medici.
A few meters further, runners will marvel at Palazzo Pitti, likely designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and later transformed into the Medici family’s most prestigious residence.
Shortly after, they will cross Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence—an iconic symbol of romance and history.
Km 20–25
Runners will cross Ponte alle Grazie, once known as “Rubaconte,” then continue along Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini.
The halfway mark (21.097 km) will be on Ponte San Niccolò; from there, the route follows Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia and Lungarno delle Grazie, leading to Borgo Santa Croce and the monumental Piazza Santa Croce, dominated by its basilica—one of the greatest expressions of Italian Gothic architecture.
The course continues along Lungarno Colombo and Lungarno Aldo Moro.
Km 25–30
As the kilometers increase, the route becomes smoother and leads to the Florence indoor sports arena, next to the Nelson Mandela Forum, which includes a life-size reproduction of the prison cell where Mandela spent 18 years of incarceration.
The route will then enter the Luigi Ridolfi Athletics Stadium, where athletes will run on the track.
Km 30–40
Leaving the stadium, runners head toward the Affrico overpass, shortly before km 35—one of the most demanding segments, requiring patience and careful effort management.
Descending from the overpass, the athletes re-enter the heart of Florence, where artistic beauty helps ease the fatigue.
At km 38 they will circle around Piazza Duomo (Ricasoli – Servi – Oriolo), dominated by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni.
They will then run behind Piazza della Signoria, and continue toward the Uffizi Gallery.
Finish
From km 40, along Lungarno Acciaiuoli, Corsini, and Vespucci, runners head back into the center, finally crossing Piazza della Signoria—the city’s civic and social heart—before reaching the finish line in Piazza Duomo – Piazza San Giovanni.
The expected arrival times:
Winner: around 10:38
First woman: around 10:55
Final finisher: around 14:46
Other events
On Saturday, November 29 at 9:30 AM, the San Benedetto Ginky Family Run will take place—a 3 km fun run for children and families, starting from Parco delle Cascine. The event is part of the Marathon School Cup, a combined ranking with the Mini Guarda Firenze that rewards the most represented schools.
Also on Saturday, the 3×7 Firenze Marathon Charity Run will be held—an event supporting the Estra Florence Marathon’s charity program. For each team, the marathon will donate €20 to the chosen non-profit.
Start time: 10:30 AM from the Visarno Hippodrome.
Each of the three runners will complete 7 km, with a maximum overall time of 3 hours.
On Sunday, November 30 at 8:45 AM, the athletes of the 2nd 10K Florence Marathon will start from Via Tornabuoni.
Expo Village – La Leopolda
The expo village returns to Stazione Leopolda (Via F.lli Rosselli 5), the first railway station in Florence, named after the Grand Duke in 1848.
Opening hours:
Friday, Nov 28: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 29: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Since 2018, the Leopolda has become the “Runners’ Home,” thanks to its proximity to Santa Maria Novella Station.
The venue will host presentations, product showcases, and talks on training, nutrition, and running techniques held by industry professionals.
Registrations
Registrations for the 41st Estra Firenze Marathon are now closed.
Registrations for the 10K Firenze Marathon are open until 11:59 PM on Friday, November 26, with a tiered fee system (first 2,000 bibs). CLICK HERE
Registrations for the 3×7 Charity Run and the Ginky Family Run are also open until 11:59 PM on Friday, November 26. CLICK HERE.
The Destination Florence accommodation partnership is active on the website and valid also for those already registered.