Trieste Running Festival – Half Marathon
With a course starting from the Karst highland, 140 metres above sea level near the main square in Aurisina and finish line by the sea in Trieste, the new “Trieste 21k” will be one of the fastest B-AISM international half marathons; a chance for all amateur and professional athletes to set their best ever time, beating their PB.
With 23 editions, besides being among the most longstanding Italian half marathons, the Trieste Halfmarathon is surely the most scenic race in Europe, confirming its course along the Coastal road, the new stretch along the Belvedere view point at the Costa dei Barbari and finish line in Piazza Unità.
From the Karst to the sea, from Aurisina – birthplace of Luciano Gigliotti, coach of Gelindo Bordin and Stefano Baldini – to the city centre in Piazza Unità d’Italia, featuring a unique course in a unique landscape… but let’s go into detail: the start is in the main square of Aurisina that can be reached with the shuttles available from Trieste Central Station (this year there will also be a shuttle taking participants back to Aurisina – there will be a bag service too).
After a flat 400-metre stretch along the Provincial Road n.1 runners will go down the steepest descent of the course consisting of 150 metres with 5% inclination and then another flat section, about 1 kilometre long, across the Aurisina Quarry zone; the course then leads to the railway bridge along the SP1, after another (3%) downhill stretch, about 3 km from the start, the course reaches the highway junction towards the Belvedere of the Costa dei Barbari; from this scenic point you can spot the finish area far away with a unique breathtaking views of the sea; you can admire the city and the Slovenian coast, the Friuli plane and the Dolomite mountains on the backdrop, this is the most scenic section of the race with slight descents; after 7 kilometres the course passes under the Natural Tunnel, then at km 10 there is the Tenda Rossa drink station, and at km 12 the course leads to the Castle of Miramare along the last descent, about 500 metres long with a 3/4 % inclination to be run naturally in order to avoid stiffness along the final flat section.
Picture Credit – http://ilpiccolo.gelocal.it/trieste/foto-e-video/2017/05/07/fotogalleria/la-partenza-della-half-marathon-e-spunta-il-centurione-1.15301801
From the Bivio di Miramare there are still 7 km to the finish line but the half marathon runners will meet the Family participants (running along a parallel course) who will cheer them up and help them improve their performance.
In Roiano the course leads to the last straight stretch before the Station where the 20-km drink station will be available, and then the last section along the waterfront will offer historical sights, a central European atmosphere blending with Mediterranean charm and finally lead to Piazza Unità…and it will be a great running festival once again.
Italian athletes who do not have a Fidal membership must show the Runcard Fidal or Asi, foreign athletes without Iaaf membership can sign up paying a 5 euros insurance and no further additional costs.
MIRAMAR EXPO
The Miramar Expo, at the Savoia Excelsior Palace, (Riva del Mandracchio, 4, 34124 Trieste), will open on 3 May. You will be able to enter for the race, collect T-shirts and race bags. The opening times will be:
Thursday 3 May: from 16 to 20
Friday 4 and Saturday 5 May: from 10 to 19
Registration will not be available on the race day.
Maximum number of participants: 2500
