Piazza Kennedy serves as the starting point for the open, non-competitive races at Taranto nel Cuore, a race day held in Taranto, southern Italy. The program, organized by Taranto Sportiva with C.O.V.I. as part of the Joint Stars for Charity project, begins in the morning. It features road races of various distances: a certified 21.097 km Mediterranean Half Marathon, a 12 km competitive Mediterranean Race, a non-competitive 12 km Taranto nel Cuore Mediterranean Race, a 3.8 km Family Run, and Kids races of 500 m and 1000 m.
The half marathon is a national competitive race on an approved course connected to the CorriPuglia championship. The 12 km competitive race is a stage in the Gran Prix di Corsa Sulle Strade dello Jonio. The day is open to more than just licensed runners; walkers, free runners, families, children, and those preferring shorter non-competitive distances are all included. Now in its thirteenth edition, the event has established local traditions beyond a simple charity run.