MILAN MARATHON 2026 PREVIEW: ITALY'S FASTEST COURSE RETURNS ON APRIL 12

The Wizz Air Milano Marathon runs its 24th edition on April 12, starting and finishing at Piazza del Duomo with over 40,000 registered participants from more than 100 countries. The race holds the distinction as Italy's fastest marathon, and the field historically reflects that reputation.

The Course

The route is a loop through the center of Milan, flat and IAAF-certified. Runners pass the Arco della Pace, the Castello Sforzesco, the San Siro racetrack, and the G. Meazza stadium before returning to the Duomo. The course has produced times as fast as 2:03:55 — clocked by Kipyego Reuben Kiprop of Kenya in 2021 — though that stands as the legitimate men's benchmark after disqualifications from that edition.

Recent Form

The 2025 edition saw Leonard Langat of Kenya win the men's race in 2:08:38, with Isaac Kipkemboi Too second in 2:08:45. The women's race went to Shure Demise Ware of Ethiopia in 2:23:31, a time that stood as the best women's marathon performance on Italian soil that year.

In 2024, Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei won the men's race in 2:07:12, with Andrew Rotich Kwemoi of Uganda taking the final podium spot in 2:07:52. The 2024 women's title went to Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu of Ethiopia in 2:26:32.

What to Watch

No official elite start list has been released ahead of the April 12 race date. The field's shape will become clearer in the days before the event. Based on recent editions, Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes have dominated both the men's and women's races, and the flat loop course consistently draws athletes targeting personal bests rather than tactical racing.

The race expo and bib pickup runs at the Milano Running Festival from April 9 through April 11 at the Piazza del Duomo.

For historical context on the event, see the history of the Milan Marathon.