History
From the 1972 walk to the modern race:
over 50 years of running tradition in the Val di Non.
1972
Origins
300+
Entries today
5.3 km
Current course
15
Modern editions
1972
The origins
The first Ciaminada Nonesa takes place on 5 November 1972 in Ronzone as a "long walk" of 30 km through the Val di Non. With 906 participants at the start, this inaugural edition begins a tradition that would stay in the valley's heart for decades. The historic medals from these early editions are still preserved in the Ronzone museum.
2010
The zero edition
Before the official revival, a dress rehearsal takes place on 30 October 2010: 23 athletes cover 19.33 km in a non-competitive demonstrative format, passing through Ronzone, Cavareno, Romeno, Sarnonico, Fondo and Malosco. The date is moved from Sunday to Saturday due to forecast bad weather. The race ends in a tied finish, a result picked up by the Alto Adige newspaper. A successful test that paves the way for the 2011 edition.
2011
The official revival
Almost forty years later, the Ciaminada Nonesa is reborn in its modern form. The first contemporary edition is run on 16 October 2011 over a course of 21.097 km (exactly a half marathon) through the villages and forests around Ronzone. The race is broadcast live on local television TCA Trentino, immediately confirming its status as a significant regional event.
2012
The record and the first TV broadcast
The second edition delivers two firsts at once. Giuliano Battocletti, an athlete of the organizing Sci Club Fondisti itself, covers the 21 km in 1:15:18, lowering the course record by nearly three minutes. For the first time TCA Trentino TV follows the race with two cameras and an on-site reporter: the Ciaminada is starting to exist beyond the valley. The 210 starters, a participation record, confirm that the 2011 revival was no flash in the pan.
2015
A new home in Sarnonico
The 5th edition marks an important change: start and finish move from the historic centre of Ronzone to the Sarnonico sports field, which offers parking, changing rooms and more space for a growing event. At the same time, the race is recognized as the CSI Provincial Half Marathon Championship, strengthening its competitive profile.
2016
Something had to go wrong eventually
Five editions in a row without a hitch, then the sixth decided to make up for lost time. On race morning, during the organizers' routine bike check of the course, they found the marker ribbons had been moved at two points on the route. They put everything back in place, and the race went ahead without a problem. Meanwhile, Don Franco Torresani - who had arrived at the start line right after celebrating the 9am mass - was making his way up through the field. He finished second overall in 1:20:01. PegasoMedia and Mountain Way documented an edition that, in its own way, is hard to forget.
2018
The VSS Raiffeisen circuit
With the 8th edition, the Ciaminada officially enters the VSS Raiffeisen Stadt- und Dorfläufe circuit, the main road running circuit of South Tyrol. This step strengthens the bond between the Trentino Val di Non and the South Tyrolean sports world, bringing new athletes from across the border and consolidating the race as a bilingual, cross-border event.
2019
A new distance
The 9th edition brings two changes: the date moves forward to 1 September, leaving behind the traditional October appointment, and the adult distance is reduced from 21.1 km to 10 km. The course remains spectacular, with the same forests and meadows of the Val di Non, but in a more accessible format suited to the youth categories of the CSI-VSS circuit.
2020-2021
The forced pause
The COVID-19 pandemic forces the cancellation of the 2020 edition. In 2021 the race returns, but in a reduced format: only CSI Trento and VSS Bozen registered athletes, mandatory pre-registration, temperature checks, social distancing and staggered starting zones. Despite the restrictions, the determination to continue is a strong signal from the organizing community.
2022
The current format: 5.3 km
With the 11th edition the Ciaminada takes on its definitive form. The course is shortened to 5.3 km with 150 m of elevation, designed to showcase speed and technique against a backdrop of outstanding natural beauty. The program expands to 28 categories for young and adult athletes, welcoming competitors from age 5 upwards. The race surpasses 250 entries and becomes the Regional EPS Road Running Championship.