I Sassi di Matera takes place on Fri, Oct 23, 2026 in Matera, Italy. The main route is 144 km.
- Date
- Fri, Oct 23, 2026
- Start
- Matera 🇮🇹
- Distance
- 144 km
- Climbing
- 3,800 m
- Level
- Open to all
Your 3-week plan to I Sassi di Matera
The Taper phase starts this week. Built around your fitness and adjusted every day as your form changes; attach the course and it prepares for the climbs too.
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I Sassi di Matera is a 144 km trail ultramarathon with 3,800 metres of elevation gain that starts from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera and finishes on the beach of Castellaneta Marina along the Ionian coast.
What this race demands
I Sassi di Matera demands sustained endurance across a 144 km trail ultramarathon with 3,800 metres of climbing, culminating in a descent to the Ionian coast in late October.
Ultra-Distance Endurance
Covering 144 km requires immense physiological and psychological resilience to manage severe muscular breakdown and fatigue over an extended duration.
Climbing and Descending
Accumulating 3,800 metres of elevation gain across a trail route demands strong eccentric leg strength to protect the musculature during sustained descents and power output on climbs.
Late-Stage Pace Management
Sustaining forward motion over a multi-hour ultramarathon format requires strict discipline in pacing and consistent execution of movement economy from start to finish.
Given the extended duration well beyond 2.5 hours, athletes should target an intake of 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour to sustain energy levels.
Estimated finish times
Estimates by level, not promises. Your own number depends on your fitness on the day.
Your road to race day
Race day at I Sassi di Matera is 3 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Taper2 weeks · Oct 3, 2026 – Oct 16, 2026
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
02Race week1 week · Oct 17, 2026 – Oct 23, 2026
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
Frequently asked questions
When is I Sassi di Matera?
I Sassi di Matera takes place on Fri, Oct 23, 2026 in Matera, Italy.
How long is I Sassi di Matera?
The main route is 144 km.
What does I Sassi di Matera demand?
I Sassi di Matera demands sustained endurance across a 144 km trail ultramarathon with 3,800 metres of climbing, culminating in a descent to the Ionian coast in late October.
How much climbing does I Sassi di Matera have?
I Sassi di Matera has 3,800 m of climbing.
Who is I Sassi di Matera for?
I Sassi di Matera is open to all participants.
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