Cagliari, September 10th, 2026 - Fluorescent T-shirt and wristband, a torch at the ready and a great desire to have fun. Running or walking, everyone can take part at their own pace. Enjoying the city lights and the charm of its historic districts: Castello, Marina, Stampace and Villanova. The Cagliari Urban Trail is back the day after tomorrow, Saturday, September 12, a night-time running event that every year attracts more than a thousand enthusiasts, whatever their pace. For the 12th edition, as usual, the start is scheduled for 9:30 p.m., but the festivities will begin much earlier. For the third time, and for the second consecutive year, the start and finish will be located in Piazza Garibaldi. Organizers have planned three courses: 10 km for runners, and 7 km and 3 km for walkers.
Elite race: Abdelkader the man to beat
In the fight for overall victory in the competitive race, defending champion Oualid Abdelkader, 44, is the clear favorite, having won the Urban Trail four times between 2018 and 2025. However, the presence of 50-year-old Stefano Velatta from Piedmont adds an element of uncertainty, given the former cyclist’s impressive career and his outstanding performance on the streets of Cagliari four years ago.
Velatta is not the only one looking to challenge Abdelkader’s dominance. The 12th edition will also feature two other regulars at Cagliari’s spectacular running event, both of whom have previously finished on the podium. They are Maurizio Cocco (ASD Cagliari Atletica Leggera) and Pierfrancesco Aru (Olympia Villacidro), who finished second and third respectively last year and have also claimed podium places in previous editions.
Marco Mattu (Cagliari Marathon Club) is another name to watch, having repeatedly impressed over this distance. Michele Cuccu and Riccardo Pilloni are also among the entries and could contend for a Top 5 finish.
Women’s race: Frongia and Pintor ready for another duel
In the women’s field, Enrica Pintor (Isolarun) will once again be among the leading contenders. A regular and prominent presence at the Urban Trail, Pintor has one victory, in 2024, as well as three third-place finishes (2022, 2023 and 2025) on her record.
She will once again face Federica Frongia (ASD Cagliari Atletica Leggera), setting the stage for another closely fought duel. Frongia finished second last year, just 14 seconds behind Benedetta Ferri, and was third two years ago, in the 10th-anniversary edition won by Pintor. Michela Salis (Runcard), who finished fifth in both 2023 and 2024, will also be on the starting line.
Sport, culture and tourism under the lights of Cagliari
Organized by GLEsport, the Urban Trail is a format that originated in Lisbon and is now known throughout Europe. The Sardinian event is the only edition held in Italy, under the aegis of the UISP Cagliari Territorial Committee APS, with the patronage and support of the Municipality of Cagliari.
The event combines sport, culture and tourism and is aimed at participants of all ages, runners and outdoor sports enthusiasts who want to take on an urban course. All participants in the competitive race will receive a finisher’s medal. Registration for both the race and the recreational walking event remains open until immediately before race day.
Health and prevention also take center stage
On the health and prevention front, the Cagliari Urban Trail can also count on a valuable partnership with the Italian Red Cross, Cagliari Committee.
On Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the mobile medical clinic will offer free breast cancer screening in collaboration with Dr. Carola Politi. The Italian Army will also be present in Piazza Garibaldi with an information stand.
The race will start at 9:30 p.m., but the event presentation, hosted by Valentina Caruso and joined by Davide Camboli, will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by entertainment from DJ Simon Luca at 8 p.m.
The event is organized by GLEsport under the aegis of the UISP Cagliari Territorial Committee APS, with the patronage and support of the Municipality of Cagliari, and with the support of Despar Sardegna, Foniù Servizi per la Telefonia ed Energia, Urbanchallenges Sports Events, Special Car Group Cagliari, CHEMU craft beer, Wall Street English School, Radio Sintony, Deriu Sport stores in Quartu Sant’Elena, The Runaway in Cagliari, Otto Cagliari Cocktail Bar, the businesses in and around Piazza Garibaldi, the Italian Red Cross – Cagliari Committee, and the Ma-Si-Se Civil Protection Association ONLUS of Sinnai.
PROGRAMME
Friday, September 11
4:00–8:00 p.m. — Bib, race pack collection and last-minute registration at Piazza Garibaldi
Saturday, September 12
10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. — Bib, race pack collection and last-minute registration at Piazza Garibaldi
10:30 a.m. — “Village” opens
7:30 p.m. — Presentation hosted by Valentina Caruso and Davide Camboli
Institutional greetings
8:00 p.m. — Bag drop opens (only race)
8:00 p.m. — Performance by the Fanfare Band of the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment
8:20 p.m. — Entertainment with DJ Simon Luca
8:30 p.m. — Guest interviews
8:45 p.m. — Choreography by Gabi Oliveira and her students
9:00 p.m. — Runners line up in the starting area
9:30 p.m. — Urban Trail Race start
9:35 p.m. — Urban Trail Walk start
10:10 p.m. — First competitors finish
10:45 p.m. — Urban Trail FINISH
11:10 p.m. — AWARDS CEREMONY
12:00 midnight — Village closes
