Rules 2026

ETNA MARATHON

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
XX Edition

  1. ORGANISATION

The event is organised under the umbrella of the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) in accordance with the ‘Executive Regulations’ issued for 2026 by the National Technical Off-road section.

  1. THE COURSE

MARATHON KM 63

GRAN FONDO/E-BIKE KM 42

  1. ELIGIBILITY AND CATEGORIES

All Italian citizens and foreigners, both male and female, in possession of a valid membership for both amateur and professional cycling for 2026 issued by the FCI or any foreign federation which adheres to the UCI or member of other sports promotion institutes who have signed the agreement for the year 2025 with the FCI  (UISP, AICS ENDAS, ACLI, CSI, etc).

All participants must have a medical certificate, which has to be valid on the day of the race. Non-competitive participants (excursionists) may also participate in the E-bike or Gran Fondo course, but they must present a medical certificate.

Marathon

Male Categories:

Open (Elite/Under23), Elite Sport (19/29), Master 1 (30/34), Master 2 (35/39), Master 3 (40/44), Master 4 (45/49), Master 5 (50/54), Master 6 (55/59), Master 7 (60/64), Master 8 (65/69), Master 9 (70/74), Master 10 (75 and above)

Female Categories:

Open (Elite/Under23) Elite Sport Woman (19/29), Master Woman 1 (30/34), Master Woman 2 (35/39), Master Woman 3 (40/44), Master Woman 4 (45/49), Master Woman 5 (50/54), Master Woman 6 (55/59), Master Woman 7 (60/64), Master Woman 8 (65/69), Master Woman 9 (70/74), Master Woman 10 (75 +)

Gran Fondo

Male Categories:

Men Junior (17/18)/Men Junior Sport (17/18), Elite Sport (19/29), Master 1 (30/34), Master 2 (35/39), Master 3 (40/44), Master 4 (45/49), Master 5 (50/54), Master 6 (55/59), Master 7 (60/64), Master 8 (65/69), Master 9 (70/74), Master 10 (75 and above), Male Hobby (not registered with sporting bodies, 18+)

Female Categories:

Junior W/Master WJ (17/18) Elite Sport Woman (19/29), Master Woman 1 (30/34), Master Woman 2 (35/39), Master Woman 3 (40/44), Master Woman 4 (45/49), Master Woman 5 (50/54), Master Woman 6 (55/59), Master Woman 7 (60/64), Master Woman 8 (65/69), Master Woman 9 (70/74), Master Woman 10 (75 +), Woman Hobby (not registered with sporting bodies, 17+)

E-BIKE

Men 1 (18/45 born between 1976 and 2002), Men 2 (46 and above)

Woman (18+)

  1. E-BIKE SPECIAL RULES

ELEGIBILITY AND CATEGORIES

The event will be organised under the aegis of the FCI with the ‘Pedalata Ecologica’ format (non-competitive event). All Italian citizens and foreigners, both male and female, in possession of a valid membership for amateur  cycling for 2026 issued by the FCI or any foreign federation which adheres to the UCI or member of other sports promotion institutes who have signed the agreement for the year 2026 with the FCI  (UISP, AICS ENDAS, ACLI, CSI, etc). All participants must have a medical certificate, which has to be valid on the day of the race. Non-competitive participants may also participate but they must present a medical certificate.

ADMITTED BIKES

The bikes used in this event are exclusively mountain bikes with pedal assistance. Other types of bike (e.g. hybrid e-bikes, city bikes or walking bikes) are not allowed in the event.

All industrially produced pedal-assisted E-BIKES, front or full bikes with 26″, 29″ or 650b wheels, with 250 watt motors and batteries that can be from 400 Wwh to 900 Wh are allowed

It is forbidden to have additional batteries unless they are original and approved by the manufacturer.

It is forbidden to change or charge the battery during the race.

The race organisation reserves the right not to admit participants with bikes not considered suitable for the event.

  1. START TIME

Start and Finish at Piazza Belvedere, Milo, Sicily

E-Bike: 8:25am

Marathon: 8:30am

Gran Fondo 8:40am

  1. STARTING BLOCKS

1st START: 8:25am

E-BIKE – red race numbers 2001 to 2100

2nd START: 8:30 am

MARATHON

1st grid Marathon white race numbers 1 to 200: Open category M/F UCI and FCI athletes, the top 3 riders in each category of the Coppa Sicilia MX/GF, the top 3 riders in each category of the Mediterranea MTB Challenge, all female riders, race organisation guests and the first 50 registered in chronological order.

2nd grid Marathon white race numbers 201 to 400: All FCI and other amateurs registered for the Marathon course (registration date chronological order)

3rd  grid Marathon white race numbers 401 to 600: All FCI and other amateurs registered for the Marathon course (registration date chronological order)

3rd START: 8:40am

GRANFONDO

1st grid Gran Fondo blue race numbers 1001 to 1200: Men/Women Junior, All female riders and the first 50 registered in chronological order, the top 3 riders in each category of the Mediterranea MTB Challenge

2nd grid Gran Fondo blue race numbers 1201 to 1400: All FCI and other amateurs registered for the Gran Fondo course (registration date chronological order)

3rd grid Gran Fondo blue race numbers 1401 to 1800: All FCI and other amateurs registered for the Gran Fondo course (registration date chronological order)

Entry to the grid will be allowed 20 minutes before departure

  1. TIMING AND CLASSIFICATION

The timing will be computerised and carried out by means of a transponder-chip to be placed on the bike. The chip will be given to riders together with the race number. A chip rental fee of €5 must be paid in addition to a €10 chip deposit at the time of collection. The deposit will be returned at the end of the race, when the chip is returned.

Race classification will be based on actual times detected by the chips.

  1. TIME LIMITS

Marathon:

Turn-off Marathon/Gran Fondo after 25.5 km – 11:30 am

Cerrita place after 51 km – 1:30 pm

Arrival at the finish in Milo km 63 – 2.30pm

If cyclists arrive at the gates after the maximum time allowed, their bib numbers will be removed. No exceptions will be made under any circumstances. Participants may continue by bike without a bib number or take a lift back to Milo.

  1. RACE REGISTRATION

Online registration is open on www.etnamarathonmtb.it website from 12.00pm 20th January 2026 to 6pm 25th  September 2026

Registration in Milo is open on Saturday, 26th September from 2pm – 7pm.

N.B.There will be no registration on Sunday.

Registrations will close as soon as 1,000 participants have registered.

  1. RACE REGISTRATION FORM

Online:  Registration form on www.etnamarathonmtb.it

Registration forms will only be considered valid after payment.

Participants must choose the course at the time of registration

Marathon – (FCI and UCI athletes and amateurs registered with FCI or other bodies)

Gran Fondo and E-Bike (amateurs registered with FCI and other bodies and not registered with sporting bodies, 17+)

E-bike (all bikers who are not registered with a cycling body such as FCI)

  1. ENTRY FEES

€ 35 for the first 100 entries

€ 40 registration deadline March 31st

€ 50 registration deadline August 31st

€ 60 registration deadline September 25th

€ 70 registration deadline September 26th in Milo

SPECIAL OFFERS (non-cumulable offers

PIRELLI Scorpion™ XC RC ProWALL Team Edition SPECIAL OFFER

Sign up for the 20th edition of the Etna Marathon, and you will have the opportunity to purchase two top-of-the-range Pirelli tyres with a discount of 50% off the list price. When you register, you can reserve two Pirelli Scorpion™ XC RC 29‘x 2.4’ or 2.2″ ProWALL Team Edition tyres, specially selected by Pirelli technicians for the Etna Marathon trails, at the extraordinary price of €80 instead of the normal price of €159.98.
But that’s not all: the tyres can be collected the day before the race (Saturday 6 June) at the Pirelli stand, together with a valuable Pirelli gadget!
The promotion is valid only for Etna Marathon participants in any route (also in combination with affiliated races) and while stocks last.

Combined entries (one ticket-two races)

– Etna Marathon + Aspromarathon (May 24th): €75

– Etna Marathon + Castro Legend Cup  (April 19th) €75

SPECIAL OFFER TEAMS

1 free entry every 6 entries and multiples (7 entries 6 paying, 14 entries 12 paying, etc.), for all teams or amateur groups. Payment by one single bank transfer.

The Team offer is valid for all teams or groups from the entry fee of €60.00, not valid with the first entry price (€35 for 100 bibs)

The categories Open and Junior Male/Female are exempt from paying entry fees and will not be entitled to the race goodie bag.

  1. PAYMENT
    • By credit card or Paypal: etnamarathonmtb.it/en/ (administration cost €3).
      At the time of registration or subsequently via the link in the confirmation of enrolment or through the entry form verification.
  • By bank transfer made to: ASD Mongibello Team

Banco Popolare – San Giovanni La Punta (CT)

IBAN:  IT45X0503484190000000004669

BIC/SWIFT: BAPPIT21019

  1. CANCELLATIONS

The cancellation of participation will be considered valid only if communicated via email to iscrizioni@etnamarathonmtb.it by 31/08/2026. In case of cancellation before the race, the entry fee will be valid for the year 2027. Cancellations will not be accepted after 31/08/2025. A refund of the entry fee will not be made under any circumstances. If a cyclist who has already registered is unable to attend Etna Marathon 2026 for any reason, there will be no refund of the registration fee and there will be no goodie bag given. It is possible to collect the goodie bag during the distribution hours, but in this case the automatic registration for the 2027 edition will be lost. Should the participant be unable to compete in the next edition, the fee is lost and will not be refunded.

  1. CHANGE OF COURSE AND REPLACEMENTS

Any registered participant who wants to change from Marathon/Gran Fondo/E-bike course or vice versa must communicate this by email to iscrizioni@etnamarathonmtb.it  by 10/09/2026. After 10/09/2026 a €10 fee will be requested for the administration cost.

You can replace a participant with another one. This must be communicated by email to iscrizioni@etnamarathonmtb.it by 10/09/2025. A €10 fee will be requested for the administration cost. After 10/09/2025 replacements won’t be possible, the entry fee will be valid for the year 2027, if the cancellations is communicated via email.

  1. DOCUMENT CHECK AND GOODIE BAG COLLECTION

Saturday 6/06: 2pm to 7pm

Sunday 7/06: 7am to 7:30am

in the service centre under Piazza Belvedere (main square), Milo.

  1. RACE SERVICES

Medical care (doctor and ambulance), mechanical assistance at the start and on the course, 4 feed zones on the Marathon course, 3 feed zones on the Gran Fondo course, 1 feed zone on the E-bike course. There will also be a final feed zone on arrival in Milo where there will also be a bike wash available.

  1. RACE KIT/GOODIE BAG

Every contestant will get a goodie bag containing various items such as typical products from the region, information and other merchandise. At the moment the final contents have yet to be confirmed.

The categories Open and Junior Male/Female are exempt from paying entry fees and will not be entitled to the race goodie bag + gift.

  1. FINISHER MEDAL

Each participant who completes the Etna Marathon 2026, on any route (Marathon, Gran Fondo, E-Bike) will win the exclusive “FINISHER” medal that will be given after crossing the finish line.

  1. RACE NUMBERS

Each participant will be given a number to attach to the front of the bike. Numbers must be clearly visible and legible at all times during the race. Any participant found tampering with the numbers will be disqualified.

  1. TEAM MANAGERS MEETING

TBC

  1. FEED ZONES

The following feed zones will be operating until the following times:

1° Località Cubania                          15 Km            2pm

2° Piano Provenzana                         30.8 Km      12:30pm

3° Chalet Clan dei Ragazzi                41 Km           1:30pm

4° Località Cubania                           55 Km          2:30pm

5° Milo ristoro finale                         76 Km         5pm

  1. MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE

Mechanical Assistance will be available at the following places at the following times:

Milo (start) 8am – 8:30 am

Clan dei Ragazzi 11:30am – 1:30 pm

Assistance and bike repairs can be carried out here however any spare parts or cost of materials shall be borne by the participants.

     23. PRIZES

Marathon

Top 5 men and Top 5 women overall: trophies.

Top 3 in each category (age groups): trophies

Gran Fondo

Top 5 men and Top 5 women overall: trophies.

Top 3 in each category (age groups): trophies

E-BIKE

Top 3 men and Top 3 women in each category (age groups): trophies.

The prizes will be awarded to the winners at the prize-giving ceremony. Prizes cannot be transferred or dispatched after the event.

  1. SAFETY MEASURES

Helmets are obligatory for the entire duration of the race for safety reasons. Riders who do not wear a helmet will be disqualified. The course partly includes public roads and therefore the Italian traffic code is to be observed as well as the general FCI rules for mountain bike competitions. Non-observance of these regulations will lead to disqualification

  1. EQUIPMENT

The race takes place on high mountain terrain where the weather conditions can change very quickly and unexpectedly. Each rider must be prepared for this and carry suitable clothing for cold weather, rain and possibly snow.

  1. NATURE CONSERVANCY

Littering and leaving behind waste along the course is not permitted. Waste bins will be placed next to the feed zones for all rubbish. Those who do not respect this rule shall be disqualified immediately.

  1. COMPLAINTS

Protests must be submitted to the jury in writing not later than 30 minutes after the race classification has been published accompanied by the protest fee (as per FCI regulations) which will be refunded should the protest be upheld.

  1. MODIFICATIONS

Amendments to the rules, route and vertical climb profile can be made by the race organizer at any time. All information will be made public through the website which is the official channel of communication of the event.

  1. CANCELLATION OF THE RACE

The event will take place in all weather conditions. In case of very bad weather the FCI Technical Delegate, in agreement with the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and the Head of the Organization, may decide to reduce the course length. If, for reasons of force majeure, the event does not take place, the registration fee, will neither be refunded nor transferred to the following year. All details, will be published on the internet or on-site during the race.

  1. GENERAL RULES

The FCI 2026 off-road regulations will cover any matters not covered by these rules and shall be subject to the implementation of the latter. Participation is at your own risk. By registering (even at the hands of third parties) competitors waive any rights, including third party rights, in relation to the race organizing association and all physical and legal persons of other organizations involved in the event.

  1. SIGNATURE

By signing and submitting the registration form, you declare to be in possession of a valid cycling membership card, that you have read the rules and consent to the use of data in accordance with the EU law General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679

Furthermore the participant agrees that pictures and shots taken of participants and kids during the race can be used by the organizing committee for marketing and publishing activities.

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