An event celebrating the Italian-British community in the United Kingdom through sport is returning to London.
Italy Run London will take place on 18 July, in the beautiful setting of Victoria Park, and combines sport, solidarity, networking and community spirit,
Organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in London, the event represents much more than a simple running race: it is a day dedicated to promoting wellbeing, a healthy lifestyle and the values of Made in Italy, with a strong social and business impact.
The event, now in its second edition, was born from an idea by the Consul General of Italy in London, Domenico Bellantoni, with the aim of creating a moment that brings together Italians and friends of Italy through the universal language of sport.
“The main goal is to bring the Italian community together,” explains Roberto Costa, president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom, who has closely followed the development of the initiative.
“We want to create a moment where people can meet, get to know each other and build connections outside their professional environments.
“Italy Run is an event where we can come together, share common values and strengthen the bond between people who live and work in the United Kingdom.”
For Costa, running is a powerful tool for social connection, capable of breaking down barriers and creating new relationships between professionals, families, young people and sports enthusiasts.
“Last year’s response was extremely positive and we are delighted to bring this initiative back. Our goal is to continue growing it and make it a regular event for the Italian community in London,” he said.
Italy Run London 2026 will welcome more than 1,000 participants, including professional runners, amateurs, families and members of the international community.
The programme includes different routes designed to welcome participants of all abilities: the 10km and 5km races for runners and enthusiasts, as well as the 2km race dedicated to children up to 11 years old, turning the day into a true celebration of sport for all generations.
Alongside the race, the heart of the event will be the Italian Village, an area dedicated to entertainment, Italian culture and the country’s outstanding traditions. The village will host family activities, Italian food and wine experiences, partner initiatives and networking opportunities for companies and professionals.
This aspect represents one of the event’s distinctive features: Italy Run is also an opportunity for companies within the Chamber’s network to meet in an informal and dynamic environment, creating new opportunities for collaboration between Italy and the United Kingdom.
An important role in promoting the initiative is entrusted to digital communication. Riccardo Segnalini is responsible for managing the event’s social media presence, sharing the preparation process, engaging the online community and giving visibility to the people and stories behind this major Italian event in London.
Representing the running world will be Italian Run Club London, the community founded by Gaia and Carlo, two Italians living in London who have transformed their passion for running into a project focused on bringing people together.
“Italian Run Club was born in the summer of 2025 from a very simple idea: combining running with the desire to create new friendships,” said Gaia.
“We wanted to create a space where Italians in London, and not only Italians, could train together while also rediscovering that sense of community that can sometimes be missing when living abroad.”
In just a few months, the club has grown organically, attracting more than 300 people on social media and building an increasingly active community of runners. Beyond training sessions, the group organises social events such as aperitifs, gatherings and collaborations with Italian organisations and businesses in the British capital.
The Italy Run London 2026, taking place on Saturday 18 July from 9am to 3pm at Victoria Park, will therefore be much more than a race: it will be an opportunity to connect, build new relationships and celebrate the energy of the Italian community in the United Kingdom, one kilometre at a time.
Featured image credit: Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom
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