Naturosa Catania Marathon.
The Naturosa Catania Marathon runs the same 10.5-kilometre lap four times on the Playa, the sandy coastal strip south of Catania. Twenty-eight metres of climbing over 42 kilometres on a course that never leaves a band between five and eight metres above the sea: Italy does not offer flatter, and Etna stands behind the city as you run it. Also known as Catania Marathon.
Naturosa Catania Marathon 2026: Course, Route Profile & Map
The gun goes at 09:00 on Viale Kennedy at the Lido Verde, on the edge of the Playa di Catania. From there the lap runs along the coast towards Siracusa and back to the start: 10.548 kilometres, which the marathon covers four times, the half twice and the short race once.
The Playa is the long sandy stretch south of the city, and the course stays entirely on it: shore road, beach clubs, pines and the open sea alongside, with Etna behind the city. Unlike most Italian city marathons there is no old town here, no cobbled section and no narrow lanes, just one wide, flat axis.
The profile confirms that without compromise: 28 metres of ascent over the measured 42.3 kilometres, an elevation band between 5.4 and 7.6 metres above the sea, and a flat classification. This is the eighth edition; the limit is six hours, and everyone who finishes the distance receives a bronze medal cast with material from Etna's 2021 eruption.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Naturosa Catania Marathon.
Start under control
Four identical laps are the best pacing tool a marathon can give you: from kilometre 11 you know every metre, every aid station and every wind direction. Use it and plan a deliberately negative split, with the first lap as calibration and the last on feel.
Hold your rhythm
The trap is exactly that uniformity. There is no climb to correct you, no corner to slow you and no change of scene to distract you, so a fast start only shows in the third lap. Run the first ten kilometres at the easy end of your range and resist the temptation of the flat profile.
Spend what is left
Wind decides the race. An out-and-back lap on an open coast means you run every wind direction eight times, and your splits will swing accordingly while your effort does not. Judge the wind by effort, not by the watch. The second point is psychological: from the third lap on you pass a finish line that is not yet yours. Break the lap mentally into the segments between aid stations and do not think in laps.
Training plan for Naturosa Catania Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
For age-group runners the Catania Marathon means roughly three and a half to six hours on the road, against a six-hour limit. The demand is about as uniform as a marathon can be: 28 metres of ascent over 42 kilometres, no categorised climb and no section that breaks your rhythm from outside. Your whole preparation therefore aims at pace tolerance and running economy.
Train race pace
Build your long runs to 30-35 km and place 12-15 km at marathon race pace at the end rather than the start. Add threshold runs of 12 to 18 kilometres, because on a course that gives you no terrain excuse your threshold performance decides the finishing time almost on its own.
Rehearse the course
Two things need training course-specifically, and both are as much mental as physical. First the lap structure: put a few long runs deliberately on a short loop you repeat several times, so that passing the finish four times is not a surprise on race day. Second the wind: run some tempo sessions on open waterfronts and practise accepting slower splits at unchanged effort.
Arrive fresh
On conditions: mid-December in Sicily is mild, appreciably milder than mainland Italy at the same time of year, and the Playa lies open and unshaded on the coast. Plan your drinking for mild rather than wintry conditions, and expect the sun on the open shore road to become noticeable from midday. The surface is hard road asphalt throughout with no soft section, so put your key sessions there too.
Courses
Download the Naturosa Catania Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Naturosa Catania Marathon dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Naturosa Catania Marathon.
How long is Naturosa Catania Marathon?
Naturosa Catania Marathon is 42.2 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Naturosa Catania Marathon have?
Naturosa Catania Marathon has around 28 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Naturosa Catania Marathon?
Naturosa Catania Marathon is classified as Flat, averaging 0.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 100% of the route is flat, 0% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
Is Naturosa Catania Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Naturosa Catania Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Naturosa Catania Marathon course?
Yes. The Naturosa Catania Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Naturosa Catania Marathon?
Preparation for Naturosa Catania Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 28 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Naturosa Catania Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Naturosa Catania Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 28 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Naturosa Catania Marathon take place?
Naturosa Catania Marathon takes place on December 13, 2026.
Where does Naturosa Catania Marathon take place?
Naturosa Catania Marathon takes place in Catania, Italy.
Which distances does Naturosa Catania Marathon offer?
Naturosa Catania Marathon offers 3 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; Half Marathon: 21.1 km; 10.5 km: 10.55 km.
How do I register for Naturosa Catania Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: maratonadicatania.it. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
