Did you know that you can even run a marathon on a volcano? Nothing strange, you might say; it’s not the first time you’ve run in a mountain, and a volcano is a mountain – after all. But the one to be run on Mount Etna (scheduled for June 13th) isn’t your typical marathon: it’s a vertical marathon! You need good lungs and legs to manage this race, and only a few have succeeded in winning the prestigious prize.

The marathon that comes from afar

The “vertical marathon” comes to Sicily from afar. Specifically, from Tarvisio (Udine) in northern Italy, where for a long time people had challenged the mountain “bare-legged” with a grueling run through the snow toward the summit of the local Alps. In 2004, it was decided to plan a race to push all limits and, promoted by Guinness World Records, the first Vertical Marathon on Etna was launched.

Initially attempted by just three courageous runners, others have joined over time. And today, 22 years later, it has become the world’s largest “mountain race”. The significant elevation gain, from 0 to 3,000 meters, intrigues many extreme thrill-seekers. And, of course, many curious onlookers, too.

How and where will it take place?

On June 13th, 2026, competitors will start from level 0, on the Marina di Cottone beach, and run through the municipalities of Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Piedimonte Etneo, Linguaglossa. They will then leave the town and face wood paths, lava rocks and black ash deserts, following the winding Mareneve Regional Road to Piano Provenzana. From there, the toughest section begins, which will become increasingly challenging until reaching 3,000 meters, where the finish line is.

There are two races planned: one for men and one for women, as well as an “off-road” route starting at an altitude of 1,800 meters and reaching the Volcanological Observatory. Then, runners will descend along the sandy ravines, braving the slopes and rumblings of the volcano.

Check out the routes, athletes, and numbers for this incredible marathon by visiting this website: https://etnatrail.it/ .

Etna on foot

Watching these extreme athletes compete on Etna’s brutal slopes will make everyone feel like small dwarves in the presence of the gods! But know that our volcano can be experienced on foot, even without exceeding human limits. With a good guide, a nice trekking – even at high altitudes – is within everyone’s reach. And even running down the sandy ravines is possible, provided you don’t suffer from any particular health problems and have some mountain training. (PHOTOS BY G. MUSUMECI AND A.SUAREZ PEXELS)