Mangia’s Running Event (Road Race) 2026

Sicily’s 2026 running calendar opens in style with Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa, a uniquely scenic road race that combines serious distance running with the beauty of a UNESCO‑listed Baroque cityscape. Scheduled for Sunday, 18 January 2026, this Mangia’s running event takes place in Ragusa, in the southeast of Sicily, and offers both a full marathon and associated races across rural plateaus and historic streets. For runners who love island destinations, Mangia’s Ragusa Marathon 2026 is a chance to start the year with a challenging but rewarding road race framed by dry‑stone walls, Iblean countryside, and views toward Ragusa Ibla, one of Sicily’s Baroque jewels.​

What Is Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa 2026?

Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa is a road running event held in the provincial capital of Ragusa on the island of Sicily. The 21st edition is listed in race calendars as “21° Mangia’s Maratona Di Ragusa 2026,” confirming its long history on the Sicilian running scene.​

Race listings describe it as:

• A road marathon event with 42.195 km distance, accompanied by shorter races such as the StraRagusa and a half marathon in some editions.​
• An event that mixes urban running through Ragusa’s outskirts with long sections in the surrounding countryside on the Iblean plateau, characterized by rural hamlets and iconic dry‑stone walls.​
• A winter race that typically attracts both local Sicilian runners and visitors from mainland Italy and abroad who want to combine competition with cultural tourism in the Val di Noto.​

The event is now sponsored under the Mangia’s brand, a hospitality group that also lends its name to other endurance events such as Mangia’s Triathlon Sicily, reinforcing its connection to sports tourism on the island.​

Date, Start Time, and Location for 2026

Official race calendars give clear details for the 2026 edition:

• Event Name: 21° Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa 2026
• Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026​
• Main Start Time: Around 8:00 AM (Ragusa)​

Two different descriptions help clarify the start area:

• One calendar notes that the races will start at 8 AM from Via Feliciano Rossitto, in the upper town center of Ragusa, near the E. Fermi Scientific High School.​
• A detailed course description on a marathon platform lists the start address as Viale Europa, Ragusa, with a finish in Via G. B. Odierna 5, 97100 Ragusa.​

These addresses sit in the higher, modern part of Ragusa (Ragusa Superiore), from which the route heads out toward the Iblean countryside before skirting the western edge of the city and eventually returning toward the finish.​

The Course: From Baroque City to Sicilian Countryside

The Mangia’s Ragusa Marathon stands out from many urban races by mixing city sections with significant stretches of rural landscape. According to official course information:

• The marathon presents the first 5 km within the city, between the outskirts of Ragusa Ovest, giving runners an initial urban segment to settle into rhythm.​
• The next 32 km unfold primarily in the countryside on the plateau, passing through rural hamlets and villages such as Cilone and Tre Casuzze.​
• Along this central section, runners are surrounded by classic Iblean scenery, including the region’s famous dry‑stone walls, which race organizers describe as “true rural landscape icons”.​

This combination offers a powerful sense of place. You are not just running in Sicily; you are running through the landscapes that helped earn the Val di Noto UNESCO World Heritage status, though the marathon route itself focuses more on plateau villages and western Ragusa than on Ragusa Ibla’s narrow lanes.​

Surface and Elevation

While Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa is defined as a road marathon, the official course description notes that in the first 21 km there are several short dirt sections between 50 and 300 meters each. These unpaved stretches break up the asphalt and add a bit of variety underfoot, so:​

• Road shoes remain appropriate, but runners should be prepared for brief packed‑dirt or gravel portions.
• Weather in mid‑January can affect these segments; wet conditions may make them slightly softer, though overall the course remains primarily road‑based.

The overall profile is described on marathon platforms as hilly but manageable, typical of a plateau city rather than a flat coastal course. Expect rolling terrain rather than steep mountain climbs, with enough variation to keep the race technically interesting without becoming a trail challenge.​

The Finish and Connection to StraRagusa

Around the 24th kilometer, the marathon route merges with that of the StraRagusa, a shorter associated race, and begins to skirt the western outskirts of Ragusa, including the large Viale delle Americhe roundabout. From here, the route leads back toward the city, finishing at Via G. B. Odierna, a central street in upper Ragusa.​

For many runners, this section offers:

• A psychological lift as the city reappears after long rural kilometers.
• Potential support from spectators lining parts of the shared marathon and StraRagusa route.
• The emotional reward of finishing in the city after exploring its surrounding countryside.

The combination of separate and shared sections allows both marathoners and shorter‑distance participants to enjoy the event, making Mangia’s road running event a genuine festival of running rather than a single‑distance race.​

Weather and Conditions: Running a Sicilian Winter Marathon

January in Ragusa means cool, often ideal running temperatures compared with summer heat. Sicily’s southeast enjoys relatively mild winters, and January daytime highs around Ragusa typically sit in the low teens Celsius, with cooler early‑morning starts. Travel guides for Sicily in winter note:

• Comfortable conditions for endurance sports, especially for athletes used to colder northern climates.
• Potential for rain or overcast skies, but also many bright, crisp winter days.

Runners should plan:

• A layered race kit, possibly with arm warmers or a light shell to remove as the sun rises.
• A hat or buff for early wind, especially in the open plateau sections.

Hydration and sun exposure remain important, but heat stress is far less of an issue than in spring or autumn Sicilian races.

Registration, Pricing, and Entry Info

While detailed 2026 entry fees for Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa are published closer to race day on the official event site and partner registration platforms, race calendars confirm that:

• The event is listed on platforms like ENDU and Finishers, which provide centralized registration, rules, and program information.​
• Categories typically include the full marathon and at least one shorter associated race (StraRagusa, sometimes a half marathon or 10 km), each with its own bib and fee structure.​

Historically, Italian marathons of this scale offer:

• Lower entry fees than major world majors, especially for early bird registrations.
• Tiered pricing that increases as race day approaches.

Prospective runners should:

• Monitor ENDU and the official Maratona di Ragusa or Mangia’s branding pages in mid‑ to late‑2025 for 2026 registration opening and fee announcements.​
• Check documentation requirements, as FIDAL rules may require a medical certificate or membership in an athletics federation for competitive categories in Italy.

Travel Tips: Turning Mangia’s Road Race into a Sicilian Island Adventure

Getting to Ragusa

Ragusa lies in southeast Sicily, within reach of:

• Comiso Airport (CIY): The nearest airport, served by regional and low‑cost flights from parts of Italy and Europe.
• Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA): The island’s major eastern gateway, with bus and car‑rental options to Ragusa (roughly 1.5–2 hours by road).

Arriving a day or two before the race gives time to pick up bibs, explore the city, and recover from travel.

Where to Stay

Consider basing yourself in:

• Ragusa Superiore: Convenient for the start area and modern services, with easier access to main roads and race logistics.
• Ragusa Ibla: The Baroque lower town, a UNESCO‑listed jewel with narrow lanes, churches, and piazzas. Staying here offers a more atmospheric experience, though you will need to climb or drive up to the start on race morning.​

Some runners choose accommodation that partners with the event or with Mangia’s hospitality brand, potentially offering discounts or shuttle options, so checking official race communications can provide added value.​

What to Do Before and After the Race

Make the most of your trip by exploring:

• Ragusa Ibla: Baroque architecture, the Duomo di San Giorgio, and scenic viewpoints over the valley.
• Modica and Scicli: Nearby Baroque towns, also UNESCO‑listed, accessible as day trips and often linked with other running events like the Barocco Race.​
• Local cuisine: Reward yourself with dishes like scacce ragusane (stuffed flatbreads), cavatelli or ravioli with ricotta, and chocolate from Modica, paired with Sicilian wines.

January crowds are far lighter than in summer, offering a calmer, more local feel while you explore.

Why Mangia’s Road Race in Sicily Belongs in Your 2026 Plans

For island‑focused runners, Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa 2026 delivers a rare combination:

• A bona fide road marathon with professional organization.
• A route that immerses you in one of Sicily’s most distinctive landscapes, from city edges to stone‑walled countryside.
• A start‑of‑year race that doubles as a winter escape to a Mediterranean island full of culture and food.

Instead of pounding anonymous city streets, you will run through villages like Tre Casuzze, along lanes bordered by dry‑stone walls, and back toward a Baroque hilltown that has seen centuries of history. The Mangia’s branding underscores the event’s connection to hospitality and tourism, making it ideal for runners who want a complete travel experience rather than just a number on their race log.​

Mark Sunday, 18 January 2026 on your training calendar. Build your winter plan around Ragusa’s roads. Then book your flight to Sicily, lace up on Viale Europa or Via Feliciano Rossitto, and let Mangia’s road running event carry you through the Iblean plateau and into the new year.

Sicily’s streets, villages, and Baroque skyline will be waiting. So will the starting gun. The only question is whether you will be on that start line when it sounds.

Verified Information at glance

Event Category: Road running event / Marathon (with associated shorter races)​

Official Event Name: 21° Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa 2026

Island / Region: Sicily (Sicilia), Italy – City of Ragusa

Confirmed Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026​

Main Start Time: Around 8:00 AM​

Start Area (described in race listings):

• Via Feliciano Rossitto, upper town center of Ragusa, near E. Fermi Scientific High School​
• Viale Europa, Ragusa (start address given on course description)​

Finish Address: Via G. B. Odierna, 5, 97100 Ragusa, Italy​

Course Highlights:

• First ~5 km in the city between outskirts of Ragusa Ovest​
• Next ~32 km in the countryside on the plateau, through villages and rural hamlets such as Cilone and Tre Casuzze​
• Route characterized by iconic dry‑stone walls of the Iblean countryside​
• Around km 24, marathon route merges with StraRagusa course and skirts western outskirts of Ragusa, including Viale delle Americhe roundabout​

Surface Details:

• Predominantly road, with short dirt sections (50–300 m) in the first 21 km​

Related Listings:

• Featured as “21° Mangia’s Maratona Di Ragusa 2026” in Sicily race calendars​
• Listed among featured Sicilian running events with both full and half marathon starting around 8 AM in Ragusa on 18 January 2026​

Registration / Info Platforms:

• ENDU event page for Mangia’s Maratona di Ragusa with program, regulations, registration, and route details​
• Finishers and other international race calendars offering overview and links​

Travel Context:

• Ragusa is part of the Val di Noto Baroque towns, a UNESCO World Heritage area​
• Event offers combination of sports tourism and cultural exploration in southeast Sicily​