The city of Messina experienced a splendid day of sport and solidarity on the occasion of the Messina Half Marathon 2026. The event, organized by the Polisportiva Odysseus under the aegis of FIDAL, saw the participation of around 400 runners who competed on an evocative city circuit, with passages in Piazza Duomo and the finish line near Palazzo Zanca.
The protagonists of the Half Marathon
In the main test of 21.097 km, called “Eufemio da Messina”, the Messina Riccardo Pavone (GS Indomita Torregrotta) imposed an unsustainable pace for his opponents right from the start. Pavone closed in 1h13’09”repeating the recent successes achieved in Catania and the Nebrodi. Second place went to Emanuele Sesti (1h14’58”), followed by Andrea Meduri (1h16’14”).
Among the women, a surprise victory for Eleonora Salamonewho crossed the finish line in 1h52’24” his second experience on the distance. Also on the women’s podium were Valentina Catania (1h54’12”) and the American Svetlana Atwood (1h55’01”).
Shakespeare Run and solidarity
The 10.548 km “Shakespeare Run” was run in parallel with the half marathon. In the men’s field, Davide Currò (Atletica Villafranca) won in the sprint over Mattia Barbiglia by just two seconds. Among women, clear success for Ukraine Nadiya Sukharyna (White Tower) with a time of 43’11”.
The event was not just a competition: the partnership between the Odysseus Sports Club and the White Tower made it possible to raise funds to support two NGOs in Honduras committed to the fight against cancer.
The results of the Half Marathon
| Position | Men (Time) | Women (Time) |
| 1st | Riccardo Pavone (1h13’09”) | Eleonora Salamone (1h52’24”) |
| 2nd | Emanuele Sesti (1h14’58”) | Valentina Catania (1h54’12”) |
| 3rd | Andrea Meduri (1h16’14”) | Svetlana Atwood (1h55’01”) |