5 Mila Marche 2026

The 5 Mila Marche begins and ends in Porto Recanati, on the Adriatic coast of Italy's Marche region. This Sunday morning road cycling race offers two route options: a 115 km course with 1,700 m of elevation gain and an 87 km medium course with 1,240 m of elevation gain. Both courses start with 10 flat kilometers along the coast to Porto Potenza Picena, providing a gentle opening before the hills. The initial challenge is a 6.5 km climb at an average gradient of 4.5%, followed by approximately 25 km of undulating terrain with ramps reaching 8%. The race is not a sustained mountain effort, but demands short bursts of power after the flat coastal start. The long route passes through Potenza Picena and Macerata, descends for 3 km toward Villa Potenza, then climbs through Montecassiano and Montefano before heading towards Appignano. From Appignano, it proceeds to Filottrano, a town with significant cycling history, via a stepped climb featuring alternating 6% and 7% gradients, concluding with a short 8-9% section near the summit towards Osimo. Later, the course undulates towards Recanati, the hometown of Giacomo Leopardi, including another 2 km climb at 6-7% and a final 2.5 km climb at 6% before the descent back to Porto Recanati. Aid stations are located around Montecassiano for food and drinks, Filottrano for drinks, and Recanati for food and drinks, aligning with the race's rhythm: refueling before and after the more demanding inland sections.