VERTICAL & TROFEO NASEGO 2026 – Presentation at Lombardy Region Headquarters – July 21, 2026
NEW DATE FOR THE OPENING OF REGISTRATIONS TO NASEGO 2021: IT STARTS ON MAY 1
15 March 2021Milan, July 21, 2026 — The press conference presenting the 2026 edition of the Vertical and Trofeo Nasego, a double stage of the Mountain Running World Cup, was held in Milan at the Sala Gonfalone of the Palazzo della Regione Lombardia. Representatives from regional and local institutions, WMRA, national FIDAL, FIDAL Lombardia, and sponsors were in attendance.
The Trofeo and Vertical Nasego return to excite mountain running enthusiasts once again. From September 4 to 6, the giants of mountain running will converge in Valsabbia for the double stage of the WMRA World Cup.
In addition, “La Nasego” 2026 will feature the “Seven Nations” international match, where official national squads from Italy, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Switzerland will go head-to-head in an international competition dedicated to the memory of Silvestro Niboli.
Milan, July 21, 2026 — A small valley, the Savallese, stands as a symbol of industriousness and a synonym for community. These are the driving values of a territory and a population in this scenic corner of the Brescian Prealps, situated between Valsabbia and Valtrompia. For 25 years, it has hosted a mountain running event born to unite the local community in celebration, which today has evolved into a true tradition for fans of the discipline. The event attracts world-class champions and provides an exceptional showcase for the natural beauty of a region spanning from Corna di Savallo to Lake Idro.
Growing, reaching the pinnacle of international Mountain Running, and bringing the mountains of Lombardy onto a global stage has been made possible through a winning synergy among local volunteer associations, the municipal administration of Casto—a fully energy-self-sufficient municipality thanks to solar power—the Mountain Community of Valle Sabbia, the support of the Lombardy Region, and above all, the steadfast commitment of the Niboli family through main sponsor VALSIR.
TROFEO NASEGO: A STORY OF CONTINUOUS GROWTH
The Trofeo and Vertical Nasego are far more than mere competitions. Included for 6 years in the WMRA World Cup circuit, these races represent the apex of international mountain running, distinguished by the World Athletics label. The roll of honor features genuine legends of the sport: from 6-time world champion Marco De Gasperi from Bormio, to fellow Italian stars Xavier Chevrier and Cesare Maestri, Scottish athlete Andy Douglas, and French runner Sylvain Cachard, through to today’s dominant forces such as Kenya’s Patrick Kipngeno, course record holder (1h30’46”), and current defending world champion Philemon Kiriago, who also took victory at the last Trofeo Nasego.
The women’s competition tells the same illustrious story, having welcomed the world’s finest athletes: from the memorable performances of Valentina Belotti in the vertical race to the triumphs of Austria’s Andrea Mayr—arguably the greatest female athlete in mountain running history—alongside victories by Ireland’s Sarah McCormack, Kenya’s Lucy Murigi and Joyce Njeru, and the USA’s Grayson Murphy, holder of the women’s course record (1h45’56”), considered by many to be virtually unbreakable.
With this rich history, the present and immediate future bring intense excitement and anticipation as fans wait to discover the line-up of champions. They will compete alongside countless runners eager to race next to their idols in an atmosphere where festive spirit and hospitality create the perfect recipe for an extraordinary sports event.
ANDREA ELIA ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE: A DREAM VERTICAL AHEAD
As it does every year, Casto will become the capital of mountain running for two days, gathering the sport’s top elite. Italian fans dream of seeing an Italian athlete back on the top step of the podium. The Vertical race appears to be the most promising stage for such an achievement, with several top-tier Italian runners highly motivated for one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the calendar.
Representing the athletes at Palazzo Lombardia today was Andrea Elia from Como—defending three-time Italian vertical champion, top Italian finisher at the 2025 World Uphill Championships, recent European Uphill bronze medalist, and the top Italian athlete at Vertical Nasego 2025. Last year, Elia secured 3rd place overall while setting the fastest Italian time ever on this course at 34’52” (the overall course record belongs to Kenya’s Richard O. Atuya at 33’23”).
INTERNATIONAL MATCH: SEVEN NATIONS – SILVESTRO NIBOLI MEMORIAL
The “Seven Nations – Memorial Silvestro Niboli” adds further prestige and excitement to the event in Valsabbia.
The Nasego Mountain Running Nations initiative reaches its 3rd edition, expanding from three nations in 2024 to six in 2025, and now seven for 2026—a testament to the project’s growing success.
This race-within-a-race pits top national mountain running programs against one another, featuring official national teams from Italy, Wales, Scotland, England, France, Ireland, and Switzerland. Each nation will field four men and four women competing across both events (Vertical and Trofeo), with a dedicated points system and prize purse. The competition is held in honor and memory of Silvestro Niboli, founder of the SILMAR Group, of which main sponsor VALSIR is a part.
The Seven Nations match promises high-level athletic rivalry and drama, providing many emerging talents with the opportunity to don their national team singlet for the first time and gain invaluable international experience.
On the evening of Friday, September 4, 2026, the opening ceremony will see the flags of all seven nations raised at the ABCF sports complex in Famea. It is a contest between traditions and racing styles, offering an opportunity for intense athletic competition as well as international camaraderie.
Youth activities are also highlighted through the “Nasego Kids” event on Friday evening, opening the weekend’s festivities. Additionally, the “Super Team Memorial Damiano Guerra” trophy rewards FIDAL-affiliated clubs: the teams with the highest number of participating athletes earn cash prizes, providing direct organizational support to clubs nurturing the future of mountain running.
TRADITION AND CELEBRATION
The core pillars that make this community unique remain as strong as ever. Between Famea and Comero—the two hamlets of Casto serving as the event hub—stands the ABCF Sports Center. This modern facility features all necessary amenities, including a large marquee that hosts official ceremonies, prize presentations, and social gatherings alongside the athletic competitions.
This stage has welcomed mountain running’s greatest champions to public ovations, complemented by convivial gatherings showcasing traditional Brescian culinary specialties such as casoncelli pasta and the famous local spit-roast (spiedo), a hallmark of Trofeo Nasego since its inception.
NASEGO: THE TWO RACES, ROUTES, AND LOGISTICS
Vertical and Trofeo Nasego are international mountain running competitions registered on the WORLD ATHLETICS / WMRA international calendar and the FIDAL national calendar.
They have repeatedly been selected as official stages of the Mountain Running World Cup and, since 2023, have hosted an invitational national team competition.
Vertical Nasego Route: Starts in the center of Casto and ascends to the area’s iconic summit, Corna di Savallo (1,436 m above sea level), covering 1,000 meters of vertical gain over a 3.7 km course along roads, mule tracks, and mountain trails. High-altitude aid station, changing facilities, showers, lunch, and awards are located at the Famea Sports Center. A dedicated gear transportation service ensures athletes can send a small drop bag with dry clothes directly to the finish area.
Trofeo Nasego Route: Spans approximately 21.4 km with 1,330 meters of positive elevation gain. The start mirrors the Vertical course with a parade through Casto’s main street, followed by a fast section of rolling terrain along dirt roads and wide trails past Ferrate, Alone, and the Vrenda Bridge. At approximately km 10.6, the nature of the race changes dramatically as a long ascent begins through Valgrande and Piazze toward the Mountain Pass at Rifugio Nasego—the iconic midpoint of the event (where the finish line was situated in the original race format until 2014). From 1,300 meters at Nasego, runners undertake a demanding descent of less than 4 km leading directly to the finish line in Famea, where all event facilities and closing ceremonies are hosted.
“La Nasego” is a relatively young event compared to other classic Italian mountain races. However, through exceptional organizational standards and strong backing from the business community in Casto and surrounding areas, it has rapidly earned international prestige. Top athletes from across Europe and around the world aspire to compete here, while Italy’s finest runners test themselves on this course.
Nasego is more than a race; it is a sports spectacle with established traditions for both amateur runners challenging themselves alongside world champions, and spectators enjoying two days of athletics, culture, and community celebration.
| year | Men’s winner | time | Women’s winner | time |
| 2015 | Isaac Kiprop (UGA) | 1h31’03” | Francesca Iachemet (ITA) | 1h54’04” |
| 2016 | Xavier Chevrier (ITA) | 1h36’36” | Sara Bottarelli (ITA) | 1h54’44” |
| 2017 | Cesare Maestri (ITA) | 1h35’58” | Alice Gaggi (ITA) | 1h58’28” |
| 2018 | Alessandro Rambaldini (ITA) | 1h37’01” | Alice Gaggi (ITA) | 1h55’15” |
| 2019 | Andrew Douglas (SCO) | 1h35’37” | Lucy Wambui Murigi (KEN) | 1h52’23” |
| 2020 | Sylvain Cachard (FRA) | 1h34’11” | Sarah McCormack (IRL) | 1h52’32” |
| 2021 | Petro mamu Shaku (ERI) | 1H32’55” | Grayson Murphy (USA) *RECORD* | 1H45’56” |
| 2022 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) *RECORD* | 1H30’46” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 1H47’32” |
| 2023 | Philemon Kiriago (KEN) | 1H31’00” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 1H46’06” |
| 2024 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 1H31’26” | Joyce Njeru (KEN) | 1H51’33” |
| 2025 | Philemon Kiriago (KEN) | 1H31’43” | Philaries Kisang (KEN) | 1H46’16” |
| *The current official course format was introduced in 2016 | ||||
| year | Men’s winner | time | Women’s winner | time |
| 2016 | Nicola Pedergnana (ITA) | 34’45” | Valentina Belotti (ITA) | 39’23” |
| 2017 | Patrick Facchini (ITA) | 35’31” | Valentina Belotti (ITA) | 43’09” |
| 2018 | Patrick Facchini (ITA) | 36’14” | Denisa Dragomir (ROU) | 45’10” |
| 2019 | Davide Magnini (ITA) | 35’17” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 38’39” |
| 2020 | Henri Aymonod (ITA) | 35’47” | Valentina Belotti (ITA) | 43’12” |
| 2021 | Henri Aymonod (ITA) | 35’38” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 38’51” |
| 2022 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 33’47” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 38’48” |
| 2023 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 34’25” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) *RECORD* | 38’06” |
| 2024 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 34’28” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 40’51” |
| 2025 | Richard O. Atuya (KEN) *RECORD* | 33’23” | Philaries Kisang (KEN) | 38’55” |
| *The current official course format was introduced in 2017. |
Nasego : The Two Races, Courses and Logistics
Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego are international Mountain Running competitions included in the WORLD ATHLETICS/WMRA global calendar and in the national FIDAL calendar. They have been selected multiple times as official stages of the Mountain Running World Cup and, since 2023, they also host an invitational competition for national teams.
Vertical Nasego – Course Overview
The Vertical course starts in the centre of Casto and climbs to the iconic summit of Corna di Savallo at 1,436 metres above sea level, gaining 1,000 metres of elevation over 3.7 km on roads, mule tracks, and mountain trails. Refreshments at altitude, changing rooms, showers, lunch, and the awards ceremony are all located at the Famea Sports Centre. A dedicated clothing transport service allows athletes to send a small bag with spare gear directly to the finish area at the top.
Trofeo Nasego – Course Overview
The Trofeo Nasego course stretches for approximately 21.4 km with a total positive elevation gain of 1,330 metres. The start is identical to the Vertical, with the traditional parade along Casto’s main street before the athletes dive into a fast, undulating first section on forest roads and wide trails between the Ferrate area, the hamlet of Alone, and the Vrenda Bridge. Around kilometre 10.6, the race changes completely: a long climb begins, passing through Valgrande and Piazze and leading to the King of the Mountain prize at Rifugio Nasego, the symbolic heart of the entire event (and the former finish line until 2014). From the 1,300-metre altitude of Nasego, athletes face a demanding descent that brings them to the finish line in Famea in less than 4 km, where all services are available and the final ceremony takes place.
An Event with Rapidly Growing Prestige
“Nasego” is a relatively young event compared to other historic Italian mountain running races, yet in just a few years—thanks to exceptional organisational quality and significant investment from the entire community of Casto and its hamlets—it has risen to the status of an internationally renowned classic. Top athletes from across Europe and around the world dream of competing here, and the best Italians regularly battle for supremacy on these trails.
Nasego is more than a race: it is a true sporting spectacle with its own rituals and traditions, unmissable for both amateur runners seeking a challenging test alongside world-class champions and for spectators who, over two festive days, enjoy the competitions as well as cultural and social events hosted at the Famea Sports Centre.
A Modern History of Champions
The recent history of the event—since the introduction in 2016 of the Vertical and the looped course that brings athletes back to Famea after passing Rifugio Nasego—tells a story of champions, rivalries, and unforgettable moments in mountain running.
Our Roll of Honour:
| anno | vincitore | tempo | vincitrice | tempo |
| 2015 | Isaac Kiprop (UGA) | 1h31’03” | Francesca Iachemet (ITA) | 1h54’04” |
| 2016 | Xavier Chevrier (ITA) | 1h36’36” | Sara Bottarelli (ITA) | 1h54’44” |
| 2017 | Cesare Maestri (ITA) | 1h35’58” | Alice Gaggi (ITA) | 1h58’28” |
| 2018 | Alessandro Rambaldini (ITA) | 1h37’01” | Alice Gaggi (ITA) | 1h55’15” |
| 2019 | Andrew Douglas (SCO) | 1h35’37” | Lucy Wambui Murigi (KEN) | 1h52’23” |
| 2020 | Sylvain Cachard (FRA) | 1h34’11” | Sarah McCormack (IRL) | 1h52’32” |
| 2021 | Petro mamu Shaku (ERI) | 1H32’55” | Grayson Murphy (USA) *RECORD* | 1H45’56” |
| 2022 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) *RECORD* | 1H30’46” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 1H47’32” |
| 2023 | Philemon Kiriago (KEN) | 1H31’00” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 1H46’06” |
| 2024 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 1H31’26” | Joyce Njeru (KEN) | 1H51’33” |
| 2025 | Philemon Kiriago (KEN) | 1H31’43” | Philaries Kisang (KEN) | 1H46’16” |
| *il percorso ufficiale attuale è valido dall’edizione 2016 | ||||
| anno | vincitore | tempo | vincitrice | tempo |
| 2016 | Nicola Pedergnana (ITA) | 34’45” | Valentina Belotti (ITA) | 39’23” |
| 2017 | Patrick Facchini (ITA) | 35’31” | Valentina Belotti (ITA) | 43’09” |
| 2018 | Patrick Facchini (ITA) | 36’14” | Denisa Dragomir (ROU) | 45’10” |
| 2019 | Davide Magnini (ITA) | 35’17” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 38’39” |
| 2020 | Henri Aymonod (ITA) | 35’47” | Valentina Belotti (ITA) | 43’12” |
| 2021 | Henri Aymonod (ITA) | 35’38” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 38’51” |
| 2022 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 33’47” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 38’48” |
| 2023 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 34’25” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) *RECORD* | 38’06” |
| 2024 | Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) | 34’28” | Andrea Mayr (AUT) | 40’51” |
| 2025 | Richard O. Atuya (KEN) *RECORD* | 33’23” | Philaries Kisang (KEN) | 38’55” |
| *il percorso ufficiale attuale è valido dall’edizione 2017 |
