The Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon, a World Athletics Label Road Race and AIMS-certified event, will further strengthen its inclusive approach in 2026 by officially welcoming fast walkers to the race, supported by an extended cut-off time of 3 hours 30 minutes.
The event, organised by Napoli Running, will take place on Sunday, 22 February 2026, in the year when Naples holds the title of European Capital of Sport 2026.
Inclusion Within a High-Performance Event
The 2026 event will pair elite racing on one of Europe’s fastest half marathon courses, including the return of Yeman Crippa after 2022, with a new fast-walking initiative designed to broaden inclusivity of the race.
Fast walkers will be able to complete the full 21.0975 km distance on the same certified course, maintaining the event’s standards while promoting participation across different levels of ability and experience.
Collaboration with the Italian Federation of Sport Walkers
The initiative is supported by the Italian Federation of Sport Walkers (FICS), which will take part with an official delegation of sport walking participants.
According to Fiorentino La Greca, President of FICS, participation in the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon represents an important opportunity to promote sport walking within a major national and international road race, reinforcing values of health, inclusion, sustainability, and lifelong physical activity.
Extended Cut-Off Time and Official Pacers
To accommodate fast walkers, the race cut-off time has been extended from 3:00 to 3:30.
Participants will be supported by official pacers from the Partenope Pace Team, offering steady guidance at the following target finish times:
- 2:30:00
- 2:45:00
- 3:00:00
- 3:30:00
This initiative allows walkers to complete the race safely and within the official event framework, while enjoying the scenic seaside course of Naples.
Event Programme
Saturday, 21 February 2026 – 11:00
- Family Run & Friends: A non-competitive event over approximately 2 km, open to all ages and without the requirement of federation membership or medical certification. Participation is free for children under 10. Dogs are permitted.
Sunday, 22 February 2026 – 09:00
- Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon (competitive)
- Relay X2 (non-competitive, 10 km + 11.0975 km), linked to charitable fundraising initiatives
Registration
- Online registration for all events is open until 18 February 2026, subject to availability.
- Group entries (minimum 10 participants) benefit from reduced fees.
- Race-day registration may be available at increased rates if bibs remain.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Napoli City Half Marathon is an event certified by World Athletics, FIDAL, and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). It is also a World Athletics Label Road Race.
- The event organizes running races in the metropolitan area of Naples and on the Sorrento Peninsula. The Napoli Running calendar includes the Panoramica Sorrento–Positano (27 km) and the 54 km Ultramarathon, the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon (21.097 km), and Bosco in Rosa, a women-only race held in the Bosco di Capodimonte.
- Founded in 2016, Napoli Running is part of the RunCzech, an organization established in 1995 and internationally recognized for delivering world-class road races.
- The Napoli City Half Marathon is widely regarded as the fastest half marathon in Italy.
- In 2022, Yeman Crippa set the Italian national record with a time of 59:26, becoming the first Italian athlete to break the one-hour barrier.
- In 2024, Sofiia Yaremchuk equaled the Italian women’s half marathon record with 1:08:27. The course record is held by Viola Cheptoo (Kenya) in 1:06:47.
- “All Runners Are Beautiful” reflects our inclusive philosophy of welcoming everyone into the world of running — and from 2026, this will also include fast walkers.
