Bologna Marathon: A Run to Savor

March 2, 2025, Bologna Marathon: A Run to Savor

“Taste the Run” is the slogan of the fourth edition of the Bologna Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025, with 10,000 participants expected to enjoy both running and gastronomic tradition.

BOLOGNA – Sunday, March 2, 2025, is the date to mark with a red circle on your calendar for the Bologna Marathon.
This fourth edition will be one to ‘savor,’ with the slogan “Taste the Run,” meaning ‘savor your race,’ but also with the dual meaning of ‘taste the flavors and dishes of Bologna,’ as the city is famously known as “La Grassa” (The Fat One), boasting a centuries-old culinary tradition.

Every year, the Bologna Marathon focuses on a theme related to the city, which is explored from different perspectives by the thousands of athletes from all over Italy and many other countries. The first edition highlighted the UNESCO World Heritage Porticoes, 2023 celebrated Music and the birthday of the legendary Lucio Dalla, and in 2024, the theme was “Bologna la Turrita” (Bologna of the Towers) and its secrets.

THE EVENT
The competitive Fidal races include the marathon with its 42.195 km, the 30 km of the Porticoes, and the Run Tune Up, the historic half marathon of 21.097 km, now in its 21st edition.
For walkers and less trained runners, there is a 5 km non-competitive race, the Tecnocasa City Run, while children can take part in the Tigotà Kids Marathon on Saturday.

7,000 participants are expected across the three competitive races, with another 3,000 for the non-competitive ones. Adding spectators and companions, the total attendance over the three-day event is estimated to exceed 40,000 people.

Piazza Maggiore, where all the races finish and the marathon village is located, will be the beating heart of the event. The weekend, from February 28 to March 2, will be filled with various side events, meetings, presentations, and music. Naturally, there will be gastronomic stands offering traditional products, tasting events, and moments dedicated to food.

TASTE THE RUN
In 2025, Bologna, “La Grassa,” will be presented to runners as the ultimate Italian gastronomic city, with a long-standing tradition boasting centuries of culinary history and culture. Its flavorful and traditional dishes have won over millions of people throughout the years.

Taste the Run is an invitation to experience a true celebration of both “taste” and sport, to savor the Bologna Marathon event while also discovering the unique flavors of a city like no other.

BOLOGNA’S GASTRONOMIC TRADITION
When we think of tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, lasagna, tigelle, or mortadella, it’s easy to immediately associate these dishes with Bologna. They represent a symbol of the city’s cultural identity, and food, as in many cities worldwide, is a way for the community to express its culture.

Some honorary titles have been granted to Bologna’s culinary tradition, attesting to the central role of good food as an icon of local culture passed down through generations.
Beyond the Tagliatella d’Oro, registered in 1972 by the Italian Academy of Cuisine at the Palazzo della Mercanzia (home of the Bologna Chamber of Commerce), there is also a notarial deposit for tortellini (1974), one for Bolognese ragù (1982), and even one for certosino, a traditional Christmas dessert (2001).

Bologna’s gastronomic tradition is also linked to the presence of Europe’s oldest university. With students and professors of various nationalities, the cuisine has evolved over time, requiring a well-organized food supply system.

Bologna, a welcoming and open city, has a cuisine that reflects this culture, capable of enhancing local resources while embracing influences from all over the world.

As the great Pellegrino Artusi, a 19th-century gastronome, once said: “When you hear of Bolognese cuisine, bow to it, for it is deserving.”