Villanova delle Grotte (Italy), Monday 15 August 2016

The Marcia ‘Camminiamo insieme’ is a non-competitive event without timekeeping.

Held in the densely-wooded karstic foothills of the Julian Alps in the far north-east of Italy, the event attracts around 500 runners and hikers every year.

Three hilly routes are on offer, approximately 7km, 14km and 19km long. All routes are a mix of roads and trails, some of them very steep and rocky.

The start and the finish are in the hamlet of Villanova delle Grotte which sits at an elevation of about 660 metres high up in the hills, more than 400 metres above the nearest town of any size, Tarcento.

The 14km and 19km routes visit the Forte di Monte Bernadia-Lonza, a perfectly-preserved fort, built in 1910 (pictured below). Situated at about 800m above sea level, the fort offers extensive views of the vast Friulian Plain.

Villanova is a popular destination for its visitor cave, the Grotta Nuova di Villanova. At the beginning of the event, participants get the opportunity to visit one of the caves that are usually not open to the public.

Country: Italy

Venue (Map): Villanova delle Grotte (Tarcento 9km, Gemona del Friuli 20km, Udine 28km)

Date: 15 August 2016 (Monday; Ferragosto - public holiday in Italy)

Routes: 7km, 14km, 19km

Start time: at any time between 8.30 and 9.30

Start and finish: at the church in the village of Villanova delle Grotte

Entries: in the start/finish area (on the day of the event)

Entry fees: ca. € 3 (€ 2.50 for FIASP members)

You get: snacks and drinks on the course and at the finish; free entry to a cave (before the run)

Showers and changing facilities: no

Prizes: to the largest groups

Number of participants 2015: ca. 250 (less than usual due to heavy rain during the night before the marcia)

Event information in Italian: www.fiaspudine.it/manifestazioni

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page! Please visit the official event website to verify the above information.