A lakeside panorama

This was duly realised in 2011 using a lakeside course starting from the southern part of the lake, Arona, and ending in the northern part in Verbania. Apart from the Marathon there are race distances of 33km, Half Marathon and 10km, all of them on lakeside roads. The Marathon and 33km race both start in Arona and finish in Verbania Pallanza; the Half Marathon starts in Arona and finishes in Stresa; and the 10km starts in Verbania Fondotoce and finishes in Verbania Pallanza.

The course
The course is promoted as the “most panoramic course in Italy” thanks to the lakeside route and the Alpine backdrop, with the lake surrounded by the mountain chains which stretch across Italy and Switzerland.

The marathon course passes by nine towns overlooking the lake; the half marathon part of the event ends in Stresa, facing across to the Borromean islands. The second half of the Marathon takes in the world renowned “Borromean Gulf” from Stresa to Verbania with an unforgettable view of the islands – recently chosen by fashion icon Louis Vuitton to present the 2024 collection.

Unique feature
Connections between all areas of the event are via panoramic boats that certainly add value to the race experience. Runners reach the start by a comfortable panoramic boat ride overlooking the Borromean Islands and surrounded by the Alps.

History
Lake Maggiore was often visited by well-known writers such as Ernest Hemingway, actors and fashion icons.
This destination represents the most beautiful jewel of Piedmont region in northern Italy, and it’s the second largest lake in Italy. Here you have a chance to enjoy the artistic landscapes that everyone should see at least once in a lifetime. Between the emerald green vegetation and the shining blue sky stand numerous castles, sumptuous palaces and prestigious Italian gardens. These monuments testify to the link between the two noble families which for years marked the history of the lake – the families Visconti and Borromeo.

We would recommend starting your tour from Stresa, located on the Piedmonte shore facing three amazing Borromeo Islands. From Stresa, you can take a boat tour to visit the islands: Island Bella with Palace Borromeo; Island Madre with its stunning vegetation; and Fishermen’s island hosting an authentic 15th century village.

To do
Before you dive into the panoramic course of this amazing race be sure not to miss the Borromean Islands, the Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens, close by lakes Mergozzo and Orta and a day in Milan, the city of fashion. The view of the marathon course from the “Alpinia Gardens” on the way to Mount Mottarone is absolutely worth it.

Sustainability
Since 2020 LMM has held the ISO 20121 certification for “Sustainable Events”.

From the first edition LMM followed many good practices to reduce the impact of the event on the environment.
Below are the three main areas of ambition for the development of the event:

• Economic: to create direct value for the local realities involved and indirect value for the promotion of the territory
• Social: to promote sport as a lifestyle and a tool for psychophysical well-being.
• Environmental: to monitor environmental impacts, reducing the negatives and optimising the positives.