On Sunday, 22 February 2026, 10,000 runners will line up for the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon, a race that has become the reference point for fast times in Italy and one of the quickest half marathons in Europe. The event proudly holds the World Athletics Road Race Label, and FIDAL Gold Label, confirming its status among Europe’s fastest and most prestigious road races.
The course is flat with average race-day temperatures around 10°C, and long straight sections along the seafront and through the city centre make it ideal for negative splits. Over the years, around one third of participants have set personal bests in Naples, from elite athletes to amateurs.
The Race of the Italian Records
Naples is the only race in Italy to have hosted both national half marathon records:
- Men: Yemaneberhan Crippa 59:26 (2022)
- Women: Sofiia Yaremchuk 1:08:27 (2024)
Start and finish are on Viale J.F. Kennedy. The early downhill through the Galleria Laziale, the flat section on Via Caracciolo, and wide city roads create consistent pacing conditions from the first kilometre.
Crippa vs Riva
The men’s race is built around Yemaneberhan Yeman Crippa, returning to Naples as the undefeated champion, race and National Half Marathon record holder. His 59:26 in 2022 made him the first Italian to break the one-hour barrier and still stands as the national record. Since then, he has added the European half marathon title (Rome 2024) and confirmed his role as the leading figure in Italian distance running, holding multiple national records from 3,000m to the marathon (2:06:06).
His main challenger is Pietro Riva, the only other Italian to run under one hour, with 59:41 in Valencia. European silver medalist in the half marathon in 2024 and multiple national champion, Riva brings the form and consistency to push the pace from the start.
The international field adds further depth. Brian Kirui Kwemoi (KEN) returns after winning in 2024 in 59:26, sharing the race record with Crippa. Fellow Kenyan Mkulia Kipkandie, who ran 59:48 in 2025, confirms the presence of another sub-60 athlete, while Owen Korir Kapkama arrives with a recent 1:00:25.
Among the European contenders, Bohdan-Ivan Horodyskyi, Ukrainian record holder (1:00:40), and Estonia’s multiple national record holder Tiidrek Nurme (1:02:20) lead the chase.
With three athletes already under 60 minutes and several close to the barrier, the pace required for another record attempt is built into the field.
Women’s Race: Another Fast Chapter
For the women’s race, the target is the 1:06:47 race record set by Violah Cheptoo in 2020.
Leading the line-up is Regina Cheptoo (KEN), who arrives with 1:08:26 from Rome 2025, followed by Lucy Nthenya Ndambuki (KEN) with 1:08:58 from Copenhagen 2024, placing both inside the range required to challenge for the podium. Returning to Napoli is Nelly Jeptoo (KEN), who finished third last year in 1:09:14.
Europe is led by Sara Schou Kristensen (DEN), national marathon champion with a 1:11:07 PB, and Sara Bottarelli (ITA), reigning Italian half marathon champion, who improved to 1:11:09 in 2025.
Behind them is a compact group capable of moving forward in a fast race, including Susanna Saapunki (FIN), World Mountain Running silver medallist (1:13:20), Lisa Huwatscheck (GER) 1:14:00, Alessia Tuccitto (ITA) 1:14:23, Latifa Mokhtari (FRA) 1:14:56, and Michaela Čepová (CZE) 1:15:38, while Iryna Horodyska (UKR) makes her debut over the distance and Rebecca Volpe (ITA) lines up with 1:16:36.
With multiple athletes between 1:08 and 1:09 and a strong European front group, the structure of the field supports another fast race and confirms Naples as the key venue for top Italian women’s performances in the half marathon.
“The New Valencia”
Among athletes and coaches, Naples is now seen as a Mediterranean alternative to Valencia:
- flat course
- stable weather
- structured pacing
- large number of PB attempts
For many runners, it is the first major performance test of the season.
More Than the Elite Race
The event takes place in the year when Naples is European Capital of Sport 2026.
The programme of Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon weekend includes:
- Family Run & Friends – 21 February
- Hyundai Relay – 22 February
- Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon – 22 February
The Running Doctors is a brand new project that will place medical runners along the course to support the existing health system and guarantee faster assistance if needed.
The time limit has been extended to 3 hours and 30 minutes, opening the race to a wider range of participants.
Partenope Pace Team and Fitwalking
The Partenope Pace Team, led by Federica Romano, will provide official pacing from 1:24 to 3:30.
Pacers are also dedicated to fitwalking, with target times of 2:30, 2:45 and 3:00, allowing participants to complete the course by walking at a structured pace.
The route runs from the seafront to the city centre and back to the finish on Viale Kennedy.
In Naples the key question is not whether the race will be fast, but how fast it will be.
race and National Half Marathon record holder.
