Elba Island Marathon: French Runner Gueydon and Italian Athlete Giomi Win the 10th Edition

In the marquee 42.195 km race, victories went to Julien Gueydon and Sarah Giomi, who excelled on a course alternating scenic coastal stretches with rolling inland sections. In the half marathon, wins went to Anita Martinelli and Andrea Todisco, while the 10 km titles were claimed by Federico Rondoni and Annalaura Bravetti.

The 10th edition of the Elba Island Marathon concluded with outstanding participation after a full weekend devoted to running. On Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, Marina di Campo and its surroundings provided the backdrop for a rich program of events and activities designed to engage participants of all ages, set among the sea, hills and Mediterranean landscapes. 

Reaching its tenth edition, the Elba Island Marathon confirms its steady growth, establishing itself as an increasingly anticipated event in the national and international running scene. A race capable of combining sport, nature and active tourism, as shown by the 2,000 runners (with sold-out entries achieved in the final week) from 23 nations. 

In the men’s race, a standout performance by winner Julien Gueydon, who is regarded as a true veteran here at the Isola d’Elba after his victories in the previous two editions. The French athlete met expectations, securing a third consecutive win and further improving his performance on the course, stopping the clock at 2:27’25’’, three minutes faster than last year.

"Today was not an easy race due to the heavy rain and strong winds in the most exposed sections, but I’m happy with how I managed it under such difficult conditions," said Julien Gueydon. "I ran without focusing on pace, just following my sensations, but when I saw the halfway split of 1:12’04" I knew I was running a very strong race.”

The men’s marathon saw the French runner take the lead from the early stages, maintaining control of the race all the way to the finish. “It was tough not only physically but also mentally, but my body always responded well”, added the 32-year-old from Menton, of Italian origin, who works as a lifeguard along the Mediterranean coast and combines intense running training with long cycling sessions in the French Alps.

Behind him, Alessio Milani (Atletica Monfalcone) finished second, 7’21’’ behind, while Giuseppe Bonsi (Corrintime) completed the podium in third place, 15’26’’ adrift of the winner.

In the women’s race, victory went to Sarah Giomi (Atletica Castello), who completed the 42 km in 2:53’50’’. “It was my first race here on Elba and it was a wonderful experience: very tough due to the winds along the coast, while the rain didn’t bother me. I’m really happy with my performance,” said the winner. “And I’d like to congratulate the organizers for such a great race. I will definitely come back, maybe to run it in the sunshine.”

A psychology graduate, Giomi works as a mental coach, helping athletes and non-athletes improve their performance. Today she herself became the best example of how focus and determination can make the difference in sport.

Behind her, Ilaria Bergaglio (Atletica Novese), winner of the 2025 Passatore 100K, finished in second place, while 21-year-old Austrian athlete Marie Spielhofer completed the podium in third.

A strong turnout also marked the half marathon, confirming it as one of the most popular distances among runners.

In the women’s race, victory went to Anita Martinelli (ASD Imperiali Atletica), who stopped the clock at 1:25’26’’, ahead of Cristina Seeberger and Elena Portioli.

In the men’s race, the win went to the runner from Ciociaria Andrea Todisco, who crossed the finish line in 1:11’37’’, followed by Antonello Di Cicco (Polisportiva Atletica Ceprano) and Swedish athlete Albin Landers. 

The 10 km race

A large number of runners also took part in the 10 km race. In the men’s event, Federico Rondoni took the win in 34’34’’, while in the women’s race Annalaura Bravetti claimed victory in 44’02’’. 

The organizers speak

Born in 2017 from an idea by Damiano Di Cicco, originally from Ciociaria and now long based on the Elba Island, the event has grown over the years to become one of the leading running races in Italy.

“Ten editions are an important milestone, but what truly moves us is seeing the island transformed for an entire weekend: athletes, families and enthusiasts running, walking and experiencing Elba together,” says Damiano Di Cicco, race director. “It has been two intense and emotional days that confirmed once again how special this event has become. We are already working to make the 11th edition even better: see you in May 2027, with some new features already in the pipeline."

Further updates will follow soon regarding changes to the race branding and format, so stay tuned. 

More than competition

The event once again proved to be a major attraction not only for sport, but also for tourism. A significant number of international participants joined the race while studying or working in Europe: among them numerous Erasmus students, including 6 participants from Taiwan and 3 from Australia.

The event also welcomed several managers from multinational companies based in Italy, who took the opportunity to combine the race with a short holiday on the island, supported by a rich parallel program. Alongside the competitions, the organizers offered a wide calendar of side events: from Saturday’s Kids Run to Sunday’s Nordic Walking, Trekking and Family Run.

All participants were invited to the Pasta Party and to enjoy the entertainment provided by Radio Bruno, which helped create an even more engaging and festive atmosphere throughout the weekend.

INFO: Maratona dell Isola dElba