Marcialonga: the awaited event is back
On December 26, 2022, the 42nd edition of the Marcialonga will be held in Massa Lubrense.
The Marcialonga is an amateur free paced race through the streets of Massa Lubrense, discovering the most evocative corners of the area. It is an event organized by the parish community on the occasion of Christmas, which attracts hundreds of participants every year.
More then a competition, it is actually a pleasant walk through the hamlets and natural beauties of the place. For the residents, taking part in it is a way to spend cheerful time in company, in the spirit of the holidays.
The first edition was held on December 26, 1978, involving the entire town. From then on the Marcialonga became a real recurrence. In 2019, 2508 people of all ages took part in it, breaking all records. In 2020 and last year, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the event could not take place.
How to participate
Like every year, the event begins on St. Stephen day at 2 p.m. You can register on the same day from 9 a.m. until 10 minutes before the start at the stands in Piazza Vescovado (Vescovado Square), where the start is also scheduled. The rules of participation will be specified at the time of registration by handing over the regulations.
The route
Three refreshment points are included, two along the way and one at the end. It is possible to taste typical Christmas sweets, such as roccocò, panettone or fried zeppole prepared by the organizers, as well as the inevitable sausage sandwich.
From the square, the walk continues towards Via Roma, Via Rivo a Casa, via IV Novembre and via Nastro d’Oro, before reaching the crossroads for Santa Maria, the first refreshment point. The walk resumes along via Caselle, via Annunziata, arriving at the square of Santa Maria, where a second stop is planned. The longest part of the route then begins from via Padre Rocco, following the rotabile Massa Turro, deviating for via Mortella, crossing via Rachione, G. Marconi square and viale Filangieri. The event ends in Piazza Vescovado, where there will be one last refreshment, usually based on brioche and hot chocolate, served by the staff.
The first 100 drawn numbers will receive prizes offered by the local commercial activities. At the end of the walk, celebrations for young and old will continue.
As in the last edition, the event will be completely plastic free: respecting the environment only biodegradable disposable material will be used.
Every year many people work behind the scenes, with passion and dedication, to provide moments of joy and lightheartedness. Among the organizers there are those who make the desserts or other gastronomic delights, those who take care of setting up the stands or taking the registrations, but many more are the activities that make the event a success, which would be impossible without everyone’s cooperation!
