Trieste – This coming Sunday, October 18, 2026, Trieste will host the 10th edition of the Corsa dei Castelli and the 4th International Road Race for U23 athletes. According to the organizer, ASD Promorun, the two 10-kilometer races were presented on Saturday in Piazza Unità d’Italia in the presence of prominent guests and the national teams.
In total, over 5,000 runners are expected to participate in the various races. The Corsa dei Castelli is held in memory of former City Councilor for Sports Giorgio Rossi, who founded the event. Also present at the presentation was reigning two-time European champion and Olympic medalist Nadia Battocletti, who won the 2025 race. However, she had to cancel her participation on Sunday due to the flu.
Battocletti explained that she had been determined to be there in Trieste to support the athletes. Events like these, she said, are important moments that put you to the test. Her journey now continues toward the European Cross Country Championships in December. She wished all participants good luck for the race and for their future.
Who are the favorites in the men's competition?
In the men’s race, the goal is to beat the course record of 27:50 minutes, set last year by South African Maxime Chaumeton. Ethiopian Gemechu Godana is one of the favorites heading into the race. He won the first edition of the Friuli DOC RUN in 2025 with a time of 28:56 minutes. From Kenya, Andrew Kiptoo—who has already run 27:45 minutes this year—as well as Naason Cheruiyot Kipkorir and Kelvin Kariuki Gachaga will be competing.
In the women’s race, hopes are pinned on Joyce Mattagliano of the Atl. Brugnera PN Friulintagli club. She won the Corsa dei Castelli back in 2019 and finished second last year. She improved her personal best in the 10-kilometer race to 32:30 minutes in March of this year in Vicenza.
Ten nations at the starting line for the U23 race
Held in parallel with the Corsa dei Castelli is the International Road Race, an U23 international competition sanctioned by World Athletics. Ten nations are sending their up-and-coming talents to Trieste: Armenia, Denmark, France, England, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and host country Italy.
Competing for the Italian men’s team are, among others, Amorin Gerbeti, last year’s champion, and Stefano Benzoni, who finished second in 2025. The women’s team is led by Laura Ribigini, who placed sixth last year. The Italian teams are tasked with defending their successes from previous years.
Social Responsibility and Sustainability
According to organizer Michele Gamba, the event emphasizes the unifying values of sports, especially during times of international turmoil. There is a special focus on the topic of inclusion, which is being promoted in collaboration with the National Institute for Insurance against Work-Related Accidents (INAIL). Three athletes supported by INAIL will be on site as ambassadors.
Environmental protection also plays an important role. In cooperation with AcegasApsAmga, measures to reduce and sort waste are being implemented. These include the use of environmentally friendly materials, a free shuttle service for athletes to reduce private vehicle traffic, and giving preference to local suppliers, as announced by the organizer.
Start Times on Sunday
The 4th International U23 Road Race will start on Sunday, October 18, at 9:50 a.m. The awards ceremony for the Corsa dei Castelli is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in Piazza Unità d’Italia, followed by the awards ceremony for the U23 athletes. Late registrations and pickup of race packets were accepted through Saturday evening.
Sources and Further Information
Dates, start times, and entry fees are subject to change. The information on the organizer's official website is authoritative.
