Cagliari, Septembre 2nd, 2026 - Velatta calls, Abdelkader answers. With ten days to go until the event, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, the Cagliari Urban Trail start list is getting even more impressive with two prominent names who have repeatedly made their mark on the streets of the Sardinian capital.
Oualid Abdelkader, who will turn 44 in a few days, is the reigning champion of the 10 km competitive race, which he won for the fourth time last year. A member of Cagliari Marathon Club and a runner for the past quarter of a century, the athlete was born in Morocco but has long considered Sardinia home — he moved to Olbia in 2006. He previously triumphed in the 2018, 2019 and 2022 editions.
Among the leading contenders could be 50-year-old Stefano Velatta, a former cyclist and highly experienced, accomplished ultramarathon runner. At the 2022 Cagliari Urban Trail Run, Velatta delivered an excellent performance before making a wrong turn in the final kilometre, an error that compromised his chase of Abdelkader and his hopes of a podium finish. He eventually came fourth. Velatta’s impressive list of achievements includes victories at the 100 km delle Alpi (twice), the Sorrento Positano Ultramarathon, the IUTA Italian Ultra Trail Championship, and the Ragusa Marathon.
The entry list also includes Michele Cuccu, who finished fifth in the same edition, and Riccardo Pilloni, who came fourth last year. In the women’s race, Enrica Pintor will certainly be among the athletes to watch. A regular participant in the Urban Trail and a familiar presence on the podium, her record includes a victory in 2024 and three third-place finishes, in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
The runners will return to a course that has been further improved and which takes competitors through the centre of Cagliari at night. The programme includes a 10 km competitive race and a non-competitive walk over 6 km and, as a new addition this year, 3.5 km, all scheduled for September 12th.
The event is about much more than competition. The Cagliari Urban Trail is an opportunity to enjoy a different kind of evening: fun, outdoors and in good company. It is a chance to spend time together while doing something enjoyable and beneficial to health, such as walking.
It will also be an opportunity to discover — or rediscover — Cagliari, travelling through streets, gardens, stairways and off-road sections in the districts of Villanova, Stampace, Marina and Castello, exploring the historic city centre or even taking a dip in the waters of Poetto beach.
The event is organised by GLEsport under the auspices of UISP Comitato Territoriale di Cagliari APS, with the patronage and support of the Municipality of Cagliari, and with the backing of Despar Sardegna, Foniù Servizi per la Telefonia ed Energia, Special Car Group Cagliari, CHEMU craft brewery, Wall Street English School, Radio Sintony, Deriu Sport stores in Quartu Sant’Elena, The Runaway in Cagliari and the businesses of Piazza Garibaldi and the surrounding area.
Until September 6th, the entry fee for the Race is €22 for FIDAL-registered athletes / Runcard holders, athletes registered with EPS (Sports Promotion Organizations), and foreign athletes, while the entry fee for the Walk is €16. “Latecomers” will be able to purchase any remaining race bibs for €28 for the Race and €18 for the Walk, subject to availability.
Registration for the 12th edition of the Cagliari Urban Trail is open until Sunday, September 6th, 2026, both online and at the following Deriu Sport retail locations: Deriu Sport, Viale Colombo 290, Quartu Sant’Elena; The Runaway, Via Salvatore Farina 44, Cagliari; and Foniù, Via Sonnino 88, Cagliari.
Photos: 1) The start of the 2022 edition, with Stefano Velatta, in white, and Oualid Abdelkader to his right (Photo credit: Phototoday.it); 2) Abdelkader celebrating his fourth victory last year (Photo credit: Nicola Belillo); 3) Stefano Velatta in the action on the streets of Cagliari (Photo credit: Phototoday.it); 4) Enrica Pintor taking her maiden success in 2025 (Credits: Phototoday.it); 5) The Cagliari Urban Trail Walk is definitely a family event; 6) The race packs for the 12th edition. Free usage granted with credits. Click on the image to download.
