Last night in Venice, 6,000 runners took part in a spectacular edition of the world's most captivating night trail race.
Venice, March 29, 2026 – The first candles on the 10th anniversary celebration of the CMP Venice Night Trail were blown out by Giacomo Esposito and local favorite Diletta Moressa, winner of the world's most captivating Venetian night trail.
This is a significant anniversary for Venicemarathon SSD, which embarked on this new organizational adventure ten years ago, immediately predicting it would be a resounding success. Indeed, more than 6,000 runners from 55 countries lit up Venice last night, not only with headlamps but above all with sheer enthusiasm.
The magic of the CMP Venice Night Trail began at 8:45 PM at the Cruise Terminal (the hub that once hosted the docking of large cruise ships) with four starts staggered by five minutes to allow for better flow.
Like fireflies, the athletes began parading under the starting arch, creating a spectacle that lasted over a quarter of an hour and then gave rise to a huge snake of moving lights that crossed the Calatrava Bridge and then plunged into the streets of Venice for 16 kilometers and 51 bridges.
The crisp air made the initial aerobic show even more spectacular: the choreographed warm-up animated by Miki Barone and DJ Dacj. Half an hour before the start, thousands of people gathered under the starting arch, transforming the area into a sort of open-air disco, where energy and enthusiasm heated up the atmosphere.
The race report states that Giacomo Esposito, representing Atletica San Biagio in Montebelluna and winner in 2024, immediately took the lead, along with his teammate and training partner Matteo Muraro. The two ran side by side until the final kilometers, when Esposito pulled away to claim his second victory. His time was 57:12, eight hundredths of a second faster than the course record (57:04), which he always sets. Third place went to Vicenza Marathon runner Paolo Pellizzari.
“I'm very happy with this victory because I started training again in January after a long injury. I'm starting to race again to get some kilometers under my belt, and this victory was unexpected, because just two weeks ago, my training partner Matteo Muraro, in a ten-kilometer race, had beaten me by 30 seconds. This evening I had racing experience on my side, I knew the bridges, I tackled them with courage, and I'm happy to have won this time,” said Giacomo Esposito.
In the women's race, G.S Orecchiella Garfagnana athlete Diletta Moressa, making her trail debut, immediately took the lead, leaving a clear path behind her. The Venetian athlete set a new course best of 1:02:51 (previously 1:04:40 by Sharon Giammetta in 2021), placing her eleventh overall. Her closest competitor was German athlete Sophia Roppel, who clocked 1:06:37, but was registered for the recreational race and therefore not ranked. Completing the podium were teammates Arianna Lutteri and Laura Ferretto, both representing the Verona-based team ASD Team KM Sport.
"It's always a thrill for me to run in Venice and feel the warmth and encouragement of the crowd and volunteers. It was my first trail run, and I have to say the first 10 kilometers flew by. I felt a bit tired in the middle section of the course, but then the crowd and their cheering pushed me to the finish line. It was beautiful!" – said a beaming and ever-sweet Diletta Moressa at the finish line.
Another excellent performance was also made by Chiara Pavan, the Michelin-starred chef and fourth judge in the latest edition of Master Chef Italy, who completed her first trail run with her sister Marta in 1:46:48. Chiara, 41, from Verona, runs the Michelin-starred restaurant Venissa on the island of Mazzorbo (Venice) with chef Francesco Brutto. She recently started running, first testing herself with a half marathon and last night on the bridges of Venice... who knows, perhaps this is the beginning of a new running career beyond her cooking career.
After a long shift at her restaurant, upon arriving in the village, the chef was immediately recognized by the many food-loving runners and was quick to take selfies and autographs. "It was a beautiful race, and I had so much fun. The bridges didn't really scare me; in fact, they helped me catch my breath. Once we crossed the Accademia Bridge, I realized the hard part was done, and my sister and I had a blast!"
Also doing well was the Italian ultramarathon runner and ultra trail legend Marco Olmo (born in 1948), CMP testimonial, who finished his race in 1h36'41. For him, accustomed to running alone along the sen
Whether in the mountains or in the desert, as he stated at the start, the greatest challenge was running among 6,000 people.
Also competing was Fabio Campagnolo, CEO of Fratelli Campagnolo, the company that owns the CMP brand and has been the title sponsor of the event for the past eight years.
The Venicemarathon was delighted with its resounding success for its tenth edition. "We celebrated this tenth anniversary with enthusiasm, welcoming 1,000 more people than last year. We were able to manage this effort with utmost efficiency, ensuring the race's usual regularity and sustainability, while respecting the athletes and the city. We are increasingly convinced that our policy of gradual growth is the right path, even though we regret leaving hundreds of runners behind each year. Thanks to the commitment of so many, from the city administration to law enforcement, sponsors, and volunteers, Venice has once again proven itself to be a welcoming and ideal stage for this splendid event, and the enthusiasm of those who cross the finish line is always the greatest reward for us, the organizers.” – these are the words of Venicemarathon President Piero Rosa Salva.
Men's Standings
1. Giacomo Esposito - ASD Atletica San Biagio - 57:12
2. Matteo Muraro - ASD Atletica San Biagio - 57:27
3. Paolo Pellizzari - Vicenza Marathon – 58:40
Women's Standings
1. Diletta Moressa - G.S Orecchiella Garfagnana - 1:02:51
2. Arianna Lutteri - Team Km Sport - 1:11:26
3. Laura Ferretto - Team Km Sport - 1:12:26
Complete standings: www.venicenighttrail.it
Event sponsors: CMP (Title Sponsor), Alì (Official Sponsor), Hampton by Hilton (Official Hotel), Audi Motorclass (Official Car); lI Centro Commerciale Porte di Mestre (Official Partner), San Benedetto, Bavaria, Dole, I Bibanesi, Palmisano, Pasta Sgambaro, 1/6 H Sport, Gac Power & Events, Tronchetto Parking (Official Supplier), Tao-Scuola Nazionale di Massaggio (Massage Service), ProAction (Sport Nutrition Partner) and Il Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport (Media Partner).
Giacomo Esposito's victory at the 10th CMP Venice Night Trail between mascots Alì and Faro De Faris (Photo Today).
Diletta Moressa's victory at the 10th CMP Venice Night Trail, among mascots Alì and Faro De Faris. (Photo Today)
The men's podium of the 10th CMP Venice Night Trail: from left, Matteo Muraro, Giacomo Esposito, and Paolo Pellizzari. (Photo Today)
Chef Chiara Pavan makes her trail debut at the 10th CMP Venice Night Trail. (Press office photo)