La Filippide

La Filippide begins in Chiaramonte Gulfi, Sicily, within the province of Ragusa, utilizing the Planata degli Iblei as its primary marathon path. This point-to-point road race commences in the highlands and descends towards the coast, tracing the SP n.10 along the former route of an old railway that connected mountain villages. The event also offers a 14 km road race and a 15 km walk, catering to participants beyond just marathon runners. The course features a gradual, largely straight descent of 1-2%, reaching Ragusa at approximately 620 meters elevation. Participants traverse the Hyblaean plateau, with dry stone walls, expansive tablelands, rocky canyons, and forested gorges. The route passes near Cava Volpe, Cava del Paradiso, Misericordia, and Cava Celone, with some segments coinciding with the Ragusa Marathon course. The descent includes short 50-100 meter ascents, known locally as “mangia e bevi,” which interrupt the flow. This race follows the tradition of Italian point-to-point marathons like Padua, Treviso, Carpi, and Collemarathon.