Padova Marathon was set up in 2000 to celebrate the Giubileum, under the original name of ‘Maratona di Sant’Antonio’. His route, in the first 11 editions, includes the departure from Vedelago, in the province of Treviso, and the finish line in Padua, in Prato della Valle.
Behind the event there is the experience gained on the field by Assindustria Sport thanks to the organization of an international event such as the Meeting of athletics “City of Padua”. Just that baggage is one of the secrets of the success of the race, able to offer high-level services from the first of the top runners to the last ranked.
But behind its growth there are also the many volunteers who, with their commitment, make all this possible. There is a passionate audience, which supports athletes from the first to the last meter. There is the care for small details that make it “easy” to run for 42.195 kilometers. There is the closure to the traffic. And there is the ability to make talents blossom, such as Migidio Bourifa, Giovanna Volpato, Marcella Mancini, Vincenza Sicari and Ruggero Pertile, whose names embellish the event’s hall of fame.
In the “recipe” of the Marathon there is also the ability to evolve and know how to capture the interest of new fans. Several moments to mention: the half marathon Camposampiero-Padova introduced since 2009 on the occasion of the tenth edition of the event; the turning point of 2011, with the first change of route of the race of 42,195 kilometers – and the departure moved to Campodarsego; the evolution of the 2016 edition, with departure and arrival in Padua for the main race, after passing through the municipalities of Rubano, Selvazzano, Teolo and Abano Terme – starting point of the half marathon, which then heads towards Montegrotto Terme.
A race course renewed and made even more beautiful and faster with the retouching introduced for the 2019 edition, for an event that has become increasingly international.
The Padova Marathon did not stop even in 2020, a year marred by the pandemic, in which an innovative formula was studied: the “virtual edition”, capable of involving 16 nations across the world, such as Australia, Brazil, the United States and China.
The event returned to take place “in presence” in 2021, albeit in a reduced form, proposing the distance of half marathon and a new 10 km competitive race, held in compliance with safety measures but with the joy of being together. In 2022 the return to grade style, with the two classic distances reproposed in all their beauty and a participation that has become increasingly wide, until involving, in 2024, athletes from 62 different nations. Also thanks to a fast and attractive route: the record of the race, 2 hours 08’22”, made in that year by the Kenyan Kipchumba.