Italy·2026

Bologna

Bologna's running culture centers on the steep San Luca climb—the CASAGLIA - SAN LUCA race tackles the famous 666-step portico ascent (300m elevation gain over 2km)—and the flatter IX^ Trofeo Spazio Conad Vialarga route through the city streets. Cyclists have exceptional access to the northern Apennines: the Granfondo del Cimone rolls 121km into serious mountain terrain with multiple 1000m+ passes, while the shorter Sassorace offers rolling foothills and gravel sections within an hour's ride. The city itself is flat and compact with arcaded streets perfect for easy warm-ups; serious training happens in the hills immediately south and east.