Napoli Running, the brainchild of Mayor Luigi de Magistris, brings together three unique races into one circuit, with the goal of placing Naples among Europe’s leading cities for running events. The project is spearheaded by Naples native Carlo Capalbo, who founded the world-famous Prague International Marathon and whose RunCzech series has won more quality awards from the International Association of Athletics Federations than any road-race organizer in the world. “If we can all join together in a team – the city administration, the press, the citizens – then Naples can achieve great things,” Mayor de Magistris said at a press conference in Naples on Thursday. “Within three to five years, we could reach a world-class level.”

Capalbo, credited with making the Czech Republic a major global destination for long-distance running, said that Naples has everything it takes to join the ranks of the world’s top cities. “This project is about public health: obesity is too present in the region,” said Capalbo, who’s working on a volunteer basis for the good of his native city. “But this project can also improve the city socially because it unites people and it can help boost the economy through tourism,” he said, adding: “Our goal is in three years for Naples to be among the top five destinations in Italy for long-distance running and among the top 30 in Europe.”

Napoli Running consists of three races: the spectacular Coast to Coast, a 30 km event held on Dec. 14 along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, from Sorrento through Positano to Amalfi. Then come the Mostra d’Oltremare Half Marathon on Feb. 1 and the International Marathon of Naples on Feb. 15, both of which provide unforgettable views of Naples landmarks or the gorgeous islands of Capri and Ischia.

The Napoli Running organization depends on the individual organizers of each race along with a local staff made up of the sports department of the City of Naples as well as officials from the mayor’s office. The RunCzech team, led by Capalbo, is helping bring it all together. The goal is “to bring more and more visitors to the city and create a more positive image of our city,” de Magistris said. “Napoli can become a meeting point for sports enthusiasts and tourists, just like Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Vienna, Paris and other cities, as already happened when we hosted the Giro d’Italia, the America’s Cup and the Davis Cup.”

While promoting the city and region’s economy, Napoli Running aims to have an impact on local people’s lives through the Junior Marathon Championship. Starting next year, the JMC will involve hundreds of local students, encouraging them to get off the streets and take part in sports - and providing a valuable lesson and motivation to achieve their dreams. “This event can give Naples a major boost,” said Alessandro Del Naja, head of the regional committee of Italian Athletics Federation.