Verbania – The 15th SPORTWAY Lake Maggiore Marathon is on track to set a new record for the number of participants. As the organizers from Sport PRO-MOTION A.S.D. announced at a press conference on October 21, the event scheduled for November 8, 2026, is already nearly sold out. The original participant limit of 3,500 has already been reached and has been expanded to 4,000 starting spots.
High demand spans all four distances offered. According to the organizers, more than 79 percent of the spots for the marathon have already been filled. For the 33-kilometer race, occupancy is over 69 percent; for the half marathon, it’s over 65 percent; and for the 10-kilometer race, it’s 68 percent. The organizers expect all spots to be sold out in the coming weeks.
International participation is particularly strong this year. So far, runners from 71 countries have registered, setting a new record for the event. Foreign participants account for about 50 percent of the total. The previous records—68 participating nations in 2024 and 2,964 total participants in 2025—are thus expected to be significantly surpassed.
What routes are available?
The program includes four different distances, each of which can be completed as a competitive race or a non-competitive run. The marathon (42.195 kilometers), the half-marathon (21.097 kilometers), and a 33-kilometer run all start in Arona. The 10-kilometer run begins in Fondotoce. The course takes athletes along the shores of Lake Maggiore.
While the half marathon finishes in Stresa, the marathon, 33-kilometer, and 10-kilometer races end in Verbania. The picturesque and fast course is considered one of the event’s main highlights. Paolo Ottone, president of the organizing committee, emphasized the importance of the more than 300 volunteers who ensure safety along the route.
What is the schedule for the race weekend?
Race bibs will be distributed at the Expo Village on the Lungolago in Arona. The opening hours are Friday, November 6, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and on race day itself from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. All participants will receive a lime-green technical performance shirt in their race kit.
On Sunday, November 8, the races will start in waves. At 9:00 a.m., the marathon and half-marathon runners will take to the course, followed by the participants in the 33-kilometer race at 9:30 a.m. The start of the 10-kilometer race in Fondotoce is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. All finishers will receive a medal at the finish line, featuring a design inspired by the race course.
According to the organizers, they place great emphasis on sustainability, as evidenced by their ISO 20121 certification. To reduce car traffic, boats will be provided for participants and their companions, running between the finish area in Verbania and the start in Arona. This is intended to prevent the environmental impact caused by approximately 2,000 vehicles.
Sources and Further Information
Dates, start times, and entry fees are subject to change. The information on the organizer's official website is authoritative.
