Ultra Marathon du Vésuve

The Ultra Marathon du Vésuve is a trail running event held in Ottaviano, within Italy’s Campania region, with races taking place in September on and around Mount Vesuvius. It offers multiple distances: shorter trail options of approximately 12 km and 21 km, a 43 km marathon-distance race, and the 65 km Vesuvio Ultra. The longest route includes around 4,000 metres of climbing, and the 43 km Vesuvio Marathon requires roughly 3,300 metres of ascent, indicating that even the intermediate distances are substantial mountain challenges. The course crosses the slopes of Vesuvius, an active volcano overlooking the Bay of Naples. Expect rocky terrain, forest paths, steep ascents, sharp descents, and protected natural areas, differing from smooth road running. The Spartacus Trail provides a 21 km option with approximately 1,300 metres of climbing, while the ultra distance is designed for trail and ultra runners seeking a long, technical course. The volcanic environment defines the race: Vesuvius is mainland Europe’s only active volcano to have erupted in the last century, lending the route significant geological and elevation challenges.