Venice Marathon 40: Beyond Records and Finish Lines

The men’s race unfolded at a relentless pace from the opening kilometers, with a group of fifteen athletes reaching the halfway point together in 1:03:39. The decisive move came on the Ponte della Libertà, where Peter Kwemoi steadily increased the tempo and gradually reduced the leading pack. Only Ethiopia’s Yatede Tarto Berhanu managed to stay close as the race entered its most demanding phase. Once the pacemakers completed their task, the challenge shifted toward Venice’s historic center and its iconic bridges. Kwemoi found the decisive acceleration over the final kilometers, breaking away from Berhanu and crossing the finish line in a new course record of 2:07:31.

Authorities, organizers, and the Misses of the Wizz Air Venicemarathon in front of Villa Pisani in Stra.

The Ethiopian secured second place in 2:07:47, while Kenya’s Dikson Simba Nyakundi completed the podium in 2:07:56. Collins Kemboi Kipsang finished fourth in 2:08:06. Also among the leading runners were Evans Kipkorir in 2:08:41, Teresa Gela Nyakola in 2:08:50, Felix Kimutai in 2:09:00 and Wesley Ledama in 2:09:01. Among the Italian athletes, Umberto Persi produced the strongest performance, finishing fourteenth overall in 2:22:39. Roberto Graziotto followed in fifteenth place with a time of 2:23:07. Their results added to an exceptionally competitive men’s race that became one of the fastest editions ever staged.

With three runners breaking the 2:08 barrier, the 40th Wizz Air Venicemarathon confirmed its growing international prestige and its ability to attract elite competitors from some of the world’s strongest distance-running nations. The women’s race delivered just as much excitement. Five athletes passed the halfway mark together in 1:14:02, confirming the balanced and highly competitive nature of the contest. Once again, the Ponte della Libertà proved to be the strategic turning point of the race, as Kenya’s Jackline Jerono and Ethiopia’s Samuel Alemaz Teshale emerged as the strongest contenders heading toward Venice’s historic center and the final stretch of the course.

The Misses of the Wizz Air Venicemarathon posing in front of Villa Pisani in Stra.

A few kilometers before the finish, Jerono nearly compromised her race when her water bottle slipped from her hands. Forced to stop briefly and recover it, she lost valuable ground to her rival. However, the Kenyan quickly regained her rhythm, closed the gap and launched a decisive attack. Her determination paid off as she crossed the finish line in 2:26:16, recording the third-fastest women’s time in the history of the Venicemarathon and improving her personal best by more than five minutes. Teshale finished second in 2:26:23 in what was her marathon debut, while fellow Ethiopian Worknesh Alemu Mola secured third place in 2:28:46.

Fourth place went to Almaz Negede Fekade in 2:31:12, followed by Domtyla Lagat Chepkemboi in 2:33:34 and Ayele Webalem Basazew in 2:36:36. Italy’s Federica Moroni delivered an excellent performance to place seventh overall in 2:49:39, while Giorgia Bonci completed the top eight in 2:54:38. Alongside the main marathon, the fifth edition of the Wizz Air Venice Half Marathon attracted significant attention. Starting from Piazza Ferretto in Mestre, the race produced another outstanding performance as Hicham Boufars claimed victory while setting a new course record of 1:05:34. The result confirmed the steady growth of the event across the whole region.

Large Italian tricolor flags unfurled in front of Villa Pisani in Stra for the 40th Wizz Air Venicemarathon.

The Venice Half Marathon has become an increasingly important part of the Venicemarathon weekend and continues to draw talented runners from Italy and abroad. M'Barek Ourras secured second place in 1:05:38, while Enrico Maguolo completed the men’s podium with a time of 1:07:41. In the women’s race, Lucia Mitidieri crossed the finish line first in 1:20:24. Chiara Cavalli claimed second place in 1:23:13 and Martina Brustolon finished third in 1:27:14. The performances recorded in both competitions highlighted the growing quality of the event and its ability to attract competitive fields across every single distance staged.

Beyond the athletic results, the start area of the 40th Wizz Air Venicemarathon offered countless moments of participation and celebration. Athletes, volunteers, institutions and spectators gathered in an atmosphere that combined anticipation and enthusiasm, creating a memorable setting for this milestone edition. The event once again demonstrated its ability to unite sport, community spirit and hospitality, transforming the start area into a vibrant meeting point before the race began. GidiferroTeam closely documented the emotions of the official start through extensive video coverage and interviews conducted by Mario Bonesi and Giulia Urbinati.

Giulia, Beatriz, and Barbara on the microphone in front of Villa Pisani for the Wizz Air Venicemarathon.

From the earliest hours of the morning, the media team collected stories, impressions and testimonies from participants preparing for one of Europe’s most prestigious road races. Their work captured the atmosphere surrounding the event and offered a detailed look behind the scenes of the celebrations. Official race announcer Barbara Borella also played an important role throughout the morning. Thanks to her contribution, numerous interviews and meetings with athletes, guests and organizers were made possible in the start area. Her presence added value to the media activities and helped create opportunities for interaction between the protagonists.

Her presence enriched the experience for participants and visitors alike. Local institutions also contributed to the festive atmosphere. Among those present was the Mayor of Stra, Andrea Salmaso, who joined other representatives in greeting athletes, volunteers and race officials before the start. The participation of local authorities reflected the strong bond between the Venicemarathon and the communities located along the race route, highlighting the event’s role as an important showcase for the entire territory. The professionalism of the organization was evident throughout the morning during all phases of the event.

Peter Kwemoi Ndorobo crosses the finish line as the winner of the 40th Wizz Air Venicemarathon with a time of 2:07:30.

The event once again demonstrated its ability to coordinate every aspect of a major international competition while maintaining an efficient and welcoming environment for thousands of participants. Images and interviews collected during the day highlighted not only the sporting side of the marathon but also the commitment of the institutions, partners and volunteers who contribute to its success year after year. Adding further charm to the event was the presence of the finalists of Miss Riviera del Brenta 2026, accompanied by patron Renato Trincanato and Chiara Trincanato. They welcomed athletes, families and visitors with elegance.

The contestants welcomed everyone with enthusiasm, helping to create a festive atmosphere before the official start. Their participation strengthened the connection between the marathon and the local community, one of the distinctive features of the event. Special attention was drawn to reigning Miss Riviera del Brenta Sofia Beatriz Rizzioli, who was entrusted with holding the commemorative medal created for the 40th anniversary of the Venicemarathon. The medal symbolized four decades of sporting history and represented one of the most meaningful visual elements of the celebrations across the entire morning of the race.

Jackline Jerono wins the women's 40th Wizz Air Venicemarathon with a time of 2:26:16.

It served as a tribute to the event’s long tradition and to the thousands of runners who have taken part over the years. Joining Sofia Beatriz Rizzioli were Haley Jade Baggio, Miss Social Riviera del Brenta 2026, Elisa Carestiato, Miss Elegance 2026, Gioia Cavallari, Miss Serenissima 2026, Jessica Doglio, Miss Smile 2026, Sophia Toffanin, Miss Future, and Athena Canziani, Miss BF Stone 2026. Their presence was warmly appreciated by participants arriving from Italy and abroad, contributing to the welcoming atmosphere that characterized the entire event from the early morning until the start of the competition.

The Wizz Air VM 10K also delivered impressive performances. Starting from Parco San Giuliano and finishing at Riva Sette Martiri, the race saw Riccardo Mugnosso establish a new course record of exactly 32 minutes. The achievement improved the previous benchmark held by Yohannes Chiappinelli by more than one minute and thirty seconds. Francesco Agostini secured second place in 33:08, while Vittorio Bianchini completed the podium in 33:29. In the women’s race, Venice native Diletta Moressa celebrated her fourth consecutive victory with a winning time of 36:52, proving her dominant form on this special course.

The women's 21K podium at the 40th Wizz Air Venicemarathon.

Daniela Valgimigli finished second in 39:57, while Greta Pizzolato secured third place in 40:53. The quality of the performances once again confirmed the popularity and competitive level of the 10K event, which has become an important component of the Venicemarathon weekend. The 10-kilometer race also carried a strong social message thanks to the participation of four well-known figures in Italian marathon history: Danilo Goffi, Deborah Toniolo, Giovanni Ruggiero and Denis Curzi. The former elite athletes took part as ambassadors for the “Trees for People” initiative promoted by Afro Med Association.

This project is dedicated to regenerative agriculture and environmental sustainability. Their involvement reinforced the educational and ethical value of the event, demonstrating how major sporting competitions can also promote environmental awareness and social responsibility. Supported by sponsors, institutions and numerous partners, the 40th Wizz Air Venicemarathon successfully combined elite sport, community engagement and sustainability, delivering an edition that will be remembered among the most significant in the history of the race for all participants, organizers, and fans. Mario Bonesi and Giulia Urbinati created the Italian video coverage of the start, available at this link. https://youtu.be/8yP7FeidX84