“A race I love — this is where my 2026 begins.”
Only a few days remain until the most anticipated celebration of the year, Christmas, bringing its magical atmosphere and the promise of special gifts. With two months to go until the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon, Napoli Running celebrates Naples as European Capital of Sport 2026 by welcoming back Italian star Yeman Crippa to the streets of Naples on 22 February 2026.
Yemaneberhan “Yeman” Crippa returns as an unbeaten champion as he still holds the Italian half marathon record of 59:26, set in 2022, when he became the first Italian athlete to break the one-hour barrier in the half marathon and also set the course record.
In 2022, on the fast streets of Naples, Yeman Crippa delivered an exceptional performance that wrote an important chapter in Italian athletics history. Since then, only two Italian athletes have managed to run under one hour in the distance—but without breaking the record. Pietro Riva ran 59:41 in Valencia in 2023, and Crippa himself clocked 59:52 in Barcelona in 2024.
“What I experienced at the Napoli City Half Marathon in 2022 was truly emotional,” says Yeman Crippa. “I was coming off a training period in Kenya with my friend Yohanes Chiappinelli, and I didn’t expect to run so fast. I thought I could run around 60 minutes; at the time the Italian record was 1:00:07, and I hoped to beat it—but I didn’t realize how fast the streets of Naples were. It was a wonderful surprise. Even the two pacemakers, two Kenyan runners I had trained with, were excellent. I have beautiful, unforgettable memories.”
Naples 2022 marked Yeman Crippa’s true breakthrough into road racing:
“It was special—a record and a race that gave me great confidence for the entire year. That summer I went on to win gold in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m at the European Championships in Munich on the track. From there, my journey toward becoming a marathon runner also began. I love Naples—it has brought me luck.”
Yeman is coming off a challenging 2025, particularly in the marathon, where results did not meet expectations. As a result, the Trentino athlete is highly motivated for redemption. His 2026 debut at the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon is no coincidence:
“I’m eager to bounce back after a not-so-great 2025. A strong race in Naples could give me great feelings and momentum for the months ahead. I’ll do everything possible to run the best race I can. After the Valencia Marathon I recovered, I’ll race the BoClassic on December 31, and then from January 7 I’ll head to Kenya for high-altitude training with many top-level Italian and international athletes. From now—from Christmas—my preparation for Napoli Half 2026 officially begins.”
The European Half Marathon Champion
Yeman Crippa is the reigning European half marathon champion, having won gold at the Rome 2024 European Championships, and he is aiming to set a new Italian record in Naples as European Capital of Sport 2026:
“I also know there is a strong partnership between Napoli Running and RunCzech, the organizers of the Prague Half Marathon and Marathon. This will bring many Czech athletes to race in Naples. I’m very happy about that—it creates a fantastic international race atmosphere, a wonderful exchange between Neapolitans and Italians who go to Prague and those who come to race and visit Naples.”
Naples is a city Yeman Crippa holds close to his heart:
“It’s stunning, with exceptional weather in February and so many people cheering. In 2020 I even visited as a tourist for a few days with Chiappinelli. I’m always happy to go there. I’m returning in February after four years, but I’ve always followed the race—hoping no one would break my record. I’d like to be the one to improve it. I’ll give my all and try to repay the trust of the organizers and the incredible support and warmth of the Neapolitan crowd.”
Words from the President of Napoli Running and RunCzech
“We are thrilled to have Yeman Crippa on the start line,” said Carlo Capalbo, President of Napoli Running and RunCzech. “Over the years, we have worked to achieve a unique distinction—the Italian men’s and women’s half marathon records, a feat that only the Napoli City Half Marathon has historically achieved. Naples as European Capital of Sport 2026, as well as all runners and Italian athletics, deserves the return of a great champion,” Capalbo concluded.
Medals and Records of Yeman Crippa
Yeman Crippa’s résumé shines brightly. He won the European Half Marathon title at the Rome 2024 European Championships. His achievements also include:
- Gold at the 2021 European Team Championships (5,000m)
- Gold in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m at the 2022 European Championships
- 7th place at the 2019 World Championships (10,000m)
- Bronze at the 2018 European Championships (10,000m)
Yeman is also the Italian record holder in:
- 3,000m (7:37.90, 2021)
- 5,000m (13:02.26, 2020)
- 5,000m indoor (13:23.99, 2017)
- 5 km road (13:14, 2022)
- 10,000m (27:10.76, 2019)
- 10 km road (27:08, 2024)
- Half marathon (59:26, 2022)
With a marathon personal best of 2:06:06, he is the second-fastest Italian of all time.
Entries
Don’t miss your chance to race in Naples — registrations for the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon are still open online. CLICK HERE .
