Photo: © Canossa Trail Marathon - ASD Atletica Reggio▶Canossa Trail Marathon
Vezzano sul Crostolo (RE), Emilia-Romagna5th editionChoose the distanceTap a distance: the course, fees, times and rules below update for that race.
At a glance
Canossa Trail Marathon 2026 takes place on 25 October 2026 in Vezzano sul Crostolo (RE), Emilia-Romagna. Distances: 42 km, 24 km, 12.5 km. Start at 08:30 from Piazza della Vittoria, Vezzano sul Crostolo.
- Date
- Sunday, 25 October 2026
- Location
- Vezzano sul Crostolo (RE), Emilia-Romagna, Italy
- Start
- Piazza della Vittoria, Vezzano sul Crostolo
- Finish
- Piazza della Vittoria, Vezzano sul Crostolo
- Distances
- Castello di Rossena – 42 km · Competitive
- Castello di Canossa – 24 km · Competitive
- Monte del Gesso – 12,5 km · Competitive
- Start times
- Castello di Rossena – 42 km 08:30 · Castello di Canossa – 24 km 09:00 · Monte del Gesso – 12,5 km 09:00
- Entry fees
- Castello di Rossena – 42 km €50 · Castello di Canossa – 24 km €30 · Monte del Gesso – 12,5 km €20
- Registration
- Registration open until 23 October 2026 · Register now ↗
- Organiser
- ATLETICA REGGIO A.S.D.
- Official website
- canossatrailmarathon.it ↗
- Edition
- 5th edition
Last updated: 18 October 2026
The race
The Canossa Trail Marathon is the trail race of the Matilda lands organised by ASD Atletica Reggio. The 5th edition takes place on Sunday 25 October 2026 in Vezzano sul Crostolo (Reggio Emilia), starting and finishing in Piazza della Vittoria.
The race is run in semi-self-sufficiency on paths, farm tracks and old mule trails, almost entirely off-road. The courses pass through the villages of Matilda of Canossa and the castles of Canossa and Rossena, among the autumn views of the Reggio hills.
The races
- Castello di Rossena: 42 km and 2,100 m D+, start at 8:30, 70 bibs
- Castello di Canossa: 24 km and 1,150 m D+, start at 9:00, 180 bibs; it counts as the UISP Reggio Emilia provincial trail championship over the intermediate distance
- Monte del Gesso: 12.5 km and 650 m D+, start at 9:00, 150 bibs
At 10:00 there is also the Canossa Mini Trail, the youth race from 500 to 3,000 m (third round of the UISP REGGiovani series). Every finisher receives a medal.
Videos
All courses start and finish in Piazza della Vittoria in Vezzano sul Crostolo. The surface is almost entirely unpaved: paths, farm tracks and former mule trails, with tarmac or paved sections under 20% of the distance.
Monte del Gesso – 12,5 km
The shortest course, 650 m D+, runs along the slopes of Monte del Gesso, which overlooks Vezzano, and Monte Grafagnana, facing the Campola valley. Aid stations at km 5 and 8.5.
Castello di Canossa – 24 km
1,150 m D+: the route climbs Monte Grafagnana and continues to the Matildic villages of Pedergnano and Signano. From Banzola it drops into the Campola valley and climbs back up to the rock of Canossa; then the ridge of Monte Sella and Monte Pentile leads down to Pecorile, where a last climb over Grafagnana brings runners back to Vezzano. Aid stations at km 5, 13.5 and 20.
Castello di Rossena – 42 km
The marathon, 2,100 m D+, crosses the heart of the Matilda lands: it reaches Canossa Castle and Rossena Castle and returns along the ridge of the Campola valley, overlooking the Po plain. Seven aid stations (km 5, 11, 16.5, 21.5, 27.5, 32 and 38.5), four with solid food.
Time barriers
- Km 9 (Casa Querceto junction, 24 and 42 km): 1h45'
- Km 27.5 (Rossena Castle, 42 km): 5h15'
- Time limit of the 42 km: 8 hours
The GPX tracks of all three courses can be downloaded from the official website.
Entry fees
- Until 18 October 2026€40
- Until 23 October 2026Now€50
- Until 25 October 2026sul posto€55
What's included
- Chip timing
- Cronometraggio
- Aid stations
- Ristoro finale
- Race pack
- Finisher medal
- Changing rooms
- Showers
- Bag drop
- Medical assistance
Rules and requirements
The races are open to club members and non-members holding a competitive sports medical certificate for athletics. For the 42 and 24 km you must be born in 2006 or earlier, for the 12.5 km in 2008 or earlier.
Entry fees (fees excluded)
- 42 km: €40 until 18 October, €50 from 19 to 23 October, €55 on site
- 24 km: €20 until 18 October, €30 from 19 to 23 October, €35 on site
- 12.5 km: €15 until 18 October, €20 from 19 to 23 October, €25 on site
Online entries close on Friday 23 October at 22:00 (PayPal, card or Satispay). On-site entries are taken on Sunday from 7:00 until 30 minutes before your start, in cash and while bibs last. Clubs with 9 entrants on the 12.5 or 24 km, or 4 on the 42 km, could claim one free entry by 11 October.
Bib collection
At the Vezzano middle school: Saturday 24 October from 15:00 to 19:00 and on Sunday from 7:00. The meeting point in the square opens at 7:30, with a briefing and kit check before each start.
Mandatory kit
- Mobile phone with a charged battery
- Personal cup or bottle
- Survival blanket
- Trail shoes suited to the terrain
A windproof jacket, a good supply of water and food, a cap and sunglasses are recommended; poles are optional.
Services
- Changing rooms and showers at the municipal gym
- Bag drop
- Aid stations on the course and at the finish
- Medical assistance
- Camper area near the Pineta
Chip timing by the UISP Reggio judges' group: the chip must be returned at the finish, otherwise €25 is charged. Prizes for the top 5 men and women of the 42 and 24 km (plus the first over-60 man and woman) and for the top 3 of the 12.5 km.
