A fast and breathtaking route through beauty and culture.
Alive and vibrant, Naples blends centuries of history and cultural exchange, inspiring artists, writers and athletes alike. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, its historic centre offers a spectacular stage where sport meets culture, set against the timeless beauty and unmistakable energy of one of Europe’s oldest cities.
In less than three weeks, the curtain will rise on the spectacular course of the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon, welcoming 10,000 runners from all over the world.
In the year when Naples holds the title of European Capital of Sport 2026, the city is undergoing important urban renewal works that will further enhance its beauty. As a result, Napoli Running has implemented minor adjustments to the course, which remains exceptionally fast and visually stunning.
The Course
Emotion and spectacle, beauty and speed, combined with ideal racing conditions (average temperatures around 10°C / 50°F). On Sunday, 22 February, the journey of the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon begins from Viale J.F. Kennedy, with eyes set on a new course record.
Start – Km 5
The race starts on Viale J.F. Kennedy, just outside the headquarters of the Mostra d’Oltremare. Runners immediately settle into a fast rhythm along the opening kilometres, heading towards the Galleria Laziale, covering nearly one kilometre of gentle downhill.
The exit from the tunnel leads into Mergellina, one of the most iconic areas of the Gulf of Naples. Athletes pass the fountain dedicated to the sirena Partenope, the symbolic figure featured this year on the official race T-shirt and finisher medal. From here, a breathtaking panorama accompanies runners along the entire stretch of Via Caracciolo, Naples’ famous seafront promenade.
The course skirts the Villa Comunale, commissioned by King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon and inspired by Paris’ Jardin des Tuileries. The park is home to the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, the oldest aquarium in Europe, before runners enter the tunnel della Vittoria from Via Arcoleo.
Km 5 – 10
Exiting the tunnel, athletes move onto Via Acton and then Via Colombo, where the historic Aragonese Towers of Via Marina (torri Aragonesi di via Marina) stand: Torre Brava and Torre Spinella. The latter once held prisoners sentenced to death in the hours before execution, including revolutionary intellectual Eleonora de Fonseca Pimentel.
The race continues along Via Marina, the historic artery connecting the Port of Naples with the city centre. Around kilometre 9, runners begin their return towards the heart of the city.
Km 10 – 15
Before going back to the seafront, athletes dive into the city centre, reaching Piazza Libero Bovio and entering Corso Umberto I towards Naples Central Station. A turnaround point sends runners back along Corso Umberto in the opposite direction, leading to Piazza Municipio.
One of the largest squares in Europe, Piazza Municipio is a key hub for tourism thanks to its proximity to the harbour and the imposing medieval fortress known as the Maschio Angioino.
Km 15 – 20
Runners once again pass along Via Acton and through the tunnel della Vittoria, before returning to the Lungomare Caracciolo. Skirting the Villa Comunale, they begin the final, thrilling run towards the finish.
From Via Giulio Cesare to Piazzale Tecchio, the last decisive metres unfold before the finish line back on Viale Kennedy.
The Official Race T-shirt: Partenope, Identity and Performance
Completing the experience of the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon is the official adidas technical race T-shirt, created in collaboration with Napoli Running. Azure blue like the Neapolitan sky and the heart of its people, the shirt embodies the spirit of the city and the race’s central theme: the myth of Partenope, the siren from whom Naples takes its origins.
Already celebrated on the finisher medal, Partenope appears on the front of the T-shirt as an adult siren, holding a pair of running shoes in her right hand and a shield in her left. More than a technical garment, the T-shirt is a symbol of belonging and pride, carrying Naples and its mythology across the world through the 10,000 runners at the start line. It also reflects the organizing committee’s philosophy, summed up in the message “All Runners Are Beautiful”, celebrating inclusivity and the love of running beyond performance or talent.
Event Overview
The main event takes place over the official 21.097 km, accurately measured and certified, and holds World Athletics Road Race status as well as the FIDAL Gold Label.
Scheduled for Sunday, 22 February 2026, the Coelmo Napoli City Half Marathon also boasts a unique distinction: it holds both the Italian men’s and women’s national half marathon records, making it the only race in Italy to claim this achievement.
The event also embraces inclusivity and social engagement with non-competitive races open to everyone, no federation membership or medical certificate required:
- Family Run & Friends
Saturday, 21 February 2026 – 11:00 AM
Approx. 2 km route, open to all ages - Hyundai Relay
Sunday, 22 February 2026
Two-leg relay: 10 km + 11.097 km, reinforcing the event’s strong charitable vocation
Registrations for the Family Run & Friends are open online and on-site at the Expo Village:
- Friday, 20 February 2026 – 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday, 21 February 2026 – 9:00 AM until 30 minutes before the start
