On the Jesolo coast, a huge celebration for over 8,000 runners.
At the start, Italian marathon runner Yeman Crippa greeted the athletes.
Venice, May 16, 2026 - The 15th Longato Jesolo Moonlight Half Marathon was won by Kenyans Kipkurui Mutai, making his half marathon debut, and Nyabochoa Nyaboke, who ran a perfect race, starting promptly at 7:30 pm with the colors of the sunset and finishing with the lights of the night and the great support of the crowd in Piazza Milano in Jesolo.
In the men's race, after a relatively controlled start, Mutai (27) of the Run2gether team, who was running his first half marathon today, decided to break away around the 5th kilometer and rode solo to the finish line, finishing in 1:04:36. Behind him, Kenyans Vincent Momanyi and Sankei Lemayian posted the same time: 1:04:58. In the women's race, Kenyan Nyabochoa (31) also took the lead almost immediately, clearing the field behind her and crossing the finish line in 1:15:04.
Welcoming the athletes and officially starting the race was Jesolo City Councilor for Sport Martina Borin. There were moments of amazement at the start, when the athletes were pleasantly surprised to hear Yeman Crippa, the talented Italian middle-distance and marathon runner, wish them a "good race." Born in Ethiopia but now living in Italy, Crippa is a three-time European Championships gold medalist in the 10,000 meters and the first Italian to win the Paris Marathon, a feat he achieved on April 12th.
Mutai and Nyaboke were the icing on the cake of a hugely successful edition, which began at 5:15 PM with the start and finish of the competitors of the 6th Alì Family Run, the 10K, the 2nd Rollerblade® Moonlight Half Marathon, and the half marathon, concluding with the huge Pasta & Music Party that lasted well into the night. Piazza Milano was the scene of a nonstop carousel of races that lasted over five hours, with over 8,000 people crossing the finish line, over 20% of whom were foreigners and 50% from outside the region.
10K - In the 10K (9,930 to be precise), the fastest runner was Enrico Maguolo of Atl. Audace Noale, who ran 31:21. In the women's race, victory went to Martina Saccol (Atl. San Biagio), who won in 38:26. Also competing was Salvatore Bettiol, the former Italian marathon runner and winner of two consecutive editions of the Venice Marathon (1986 and 1987), who ran 49:14, along with entrepreneur Alessandro Benetton (49:14).
ROLLERBLADE - In the 2nd Rollerblade® Moonlight Half Marathon, the intermediate finish line was located in Viale Oriente (approximately 16 kilometers into the race) for organizational and safety reasons. Mattia Selan (32:25) and Dutchman Berber Vonk Noraly crossed the finish line with the same time.
ALì FAMILY RUN - The other stars of the day were local middle-distance runner Anna Facchin (14) and Liam Lombardi (11), who were the first to cross the finish line in the Alì Family Run. Skaters also participated in this race, with the fastest finisher being 9-year-old Antonio Piazza from Vicenza.
SOLIDARITY - During the village inauguration, the organizers presented Don Gianni Fassina, parish priest of the Church of San Giovanni Battista and headquarters of Caritas Jesolo, with a check for €2,000, the proceeds of the Alì Family Run 2025.
"We are very satisfied with the excellent success of this fifteenth edition, which set a new record for registrations and provided an intense afternoon of sport for everyone, young and old, and a different kind of Saturday for the people of Jesolo. On behalf of the entire organizing committee, I would also like to thank the Municipal Administration for their tremendous support over the years, as well as everyone who ensured safety along the route, including the Police, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, Civil Protection, and Croce Verde, and finally all the volunteers who assisted the more than 8,000 athletes. – these are the words of Piero Rosa Salva, president of Venicemarathon.
Men's Half Marathon Standings
Mutai Kipkurui (Ken) 1:04:36
Vincent Ntabo Momanyi (Ken) 1:04:58
Sankei Lemayian (Ken) 1:04:58
Women's Half Marathon Standings
Nyabochoa Ronah Nyaboke (Ken) 1:15:04
Betelhem Tenaw (Eth) 1:17:27
Claudia Andrighettoni (Ita) 1:21:06
Men's 10K Standings
Enrico Maguolo (Atl. Audace Noale) 31:21
Vittorio Bianchini (Liger Team Running) 32:28
Alessandro Sbrissa (Atl. Audace Noale) 33:25
Women's 10K Standings
Martina Saccol (Atl. San Biagio) 38:26
Paola Battaglia (Atl. Gavardo) 38:54
Genny De Simoi (Atl. Feltre) 40:35
Rollerblade® Moonlight Half Marathon (16 km) Finish Line
Men's
Mattia Selan 32:35
Andrea Zanetti 32:26
Jacopo Tonon 32:26
Women's
Noraly Berber Vonk 32:25
Marta Sanna 32:25
Gioia Salviato 32:31
The event sponsors were: Longato Serramenti (Title Sponsor), Alì (Official Sponsor), Audi Motorclass (Official Car), San Benedetto, Palmisano, Bavaria, Dole, I Bibanesi, Madi Ventura, Tronchetto Parking, Pasta Sgambaro, 1/6H Sport, Gac Power&Events, KC4 Saving and Improving Lives (Official Supplier), Evolution Academy (Massage Service), ProAction (Sports Nutrition Partner), Porte di Mestre Shopping Center and Rollerblade® (Official Partner), Radio Bellla & Monella and Radio Piterpan (Official Radio), and Corriere dello Sport & Tuttosport (Media Partner).
In the photos: the winners of the 15th Longato Jesolo Moonlight Half Marathon and the four start lines. Credits: PhotoToday
