Less than a week remains until the start of Vivicittà 2025. This event, first launched in 1984, will bring runners of all ages to the streets of numerous Italian cities in the name of peace, environmental protection, rights, and Europe. The event is set for Sunday, April 6, at 9:30 AM, when the race will simultaneously begin in all participating locations.
Vivicittà is a race that breaks down barriers, just like the roads that connect places and people. It is an experience of discovery and encounter, symbolized by Piazza Transalpina in Gorizia, which links Italy and Slovenia, representing the end of all borders. This year, the event will also take place in several other countries: some races will be held in France and Bosnia, while the non-competitive version will even reach Japan, with events in Osaka and Yokohama.
Another distinctive aspect of Vivicittà is the connection between the inside and the outside, between the center and the outskirts. For this reason, the event will also take place within twenty penitentiary institutions, transforming these spaces into places of participation and inclusion. With the slogan “Open Doors,” Vivicittà promotes sports activities in prisons throughout the year, thanks to the commitment of Uisp territorial committees, which collaborate with prison administrations to organize disciplines such as volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, and dance.
This race is also a symbol of cultural integration because sports belong to everyone and are for everyone. There are no distinctions between professional athletes and enthusiasts—anyone can be a protagonist, regardless of age or ability. There are no exclusions, nor foreigners, because Vivicittà celebrates equality in sports. Thanks to a route compensation system, all participants are included in the rankings, reinforcing the idea of a competition that unites rather than divides. From large urban centers like Turin and Palermo to small villages full of history and charm, Vivicittà is a journey through landscapes and cultures.
Every participant can choose how to experience the event: there is a competitive 10 km race for the more trained runners, but also 3-4 km recreational walks for families and schools, bringing life to squares and parks with the colors of peace, represented by the multicolored official T-shirt. Last year, thousands chose the non-competitive version: 6,000 in Reggio Emilia, 5,000 in Bra, 1,600 in La Spezia, just to name a few.
Taking part in Vivicittà also means caring for the environment. In many cities, including Bari, Cagliari, Palermo, and Turin, awareness initiatives are planned for waste separation and proper plastic disposal, in collaboration with Uisp and Corepla, the National Consortium for the Recycling of Plastic Packaging.
“Vivicittà is like a relay race, a baton passed from hand to hand, reaching different cities and realities,” said Tiziano Pesce, Uisp national president. “It is a symbol of peace, inclusion, and environmental sustainability. This is the value of sports that we want to promote, together with the 40,000 participants expected this year. Once again, Vivicittà will connect historic centers and penitentiaries, disadvantaged neighborhoods and urban parks, demonstrating that sports can truly create connections and break down barriers.”
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