PEAK LAKE GARDA 42 – FIfth Edition 2026

After attracting yet another strong turnout, the 2026 edition of the PEAK LAKE GARDA 42 has drawn to a close, rounding off a fantastic weekend of running. Since Friday 10 April, the northern shores of Lake Garda have played host to a packed programme of events and activities, bringing together runners of all ages from right across the world.
Now in its fifth year, the PEAK LAKE GARDA 42 continues to go from strength to strength: a weekend entirely dedicated to running that has quickly won over athletes and enthusiasts worldwide, and is now a firmly established and highly anticipated date in the sporting calendar.

This success is underlined by the fact that both the LG42 marathon and LG21 half marathon reached their combined capacity of 5,000 runners, coming from an incredible 72 countries, with entries selling out even before Christmas.

Adding to the event experience, the organising team, led by Communico, curated a programme of side events that brought the weekend to life, from Friday’s Oxyburn Trail Run to Saturday’s PEAK Morning Run and the Kids Run for budding young athletes.

LG42 – THE MARATHON
For the PEAK LAKE GARDA 42, victory in the 42.195 kilometre men’s race, which started in Limone sul Garda and finished in Malcesine, went to the Italian Matteo Vecchietti of Atletica Val di Cembra in a time of 2:36’20”. “We started at a steady pace, then when I realised I was feeling good, I decided to pick it up and I made the difference by going clear on my own, despite the wind,” the winner said immediately after the finish. “It’s a special victory in a race I’m particularly attached to. After three previous attempts that didn’t work out, even though I still made it onto the podium, I was really hoping to finally take first place. On the finish line I shouted ‘Finally!’—it was a moment I had been waiting for for years”.
Matteo Vecchietti finished ahead of the Brasilian Moises Caique Da Silva Pereira Silva by 3’8”, while German Patrick Spaun placed third, 3’15” behind the winner.

In the women’s race, the Italian Sofia Toniolo was first across the line in a time of 3:00’17”
“It was my first marathon, and I spent a lot of time unsure about how to approach my race strategy. In reality, I saw the birth of the LAKE GARDA 42, because five years ago I took part in the inaugural edition with a really special group,” she said. “I’m incredibly happy that my first marathon was this one. To run it—and even win it—is something truly incredible”. The German Linda Bühner took second place, while the Norwegian Gina Elisabeth Mathisen finished third, with times of 3:01’52” and 3:12’30”respectively.

LG21 – THE HALF MARATHON
Once again, this distance proved especially popular with female runners, accounting for 60% of participants.

The women’s race was won by the Italian Alessia Scaini, who stopped the clock at 1:19’14”. “For me, this is a home race, where the wind is always an unpredictable factor and once again today it played a key role,” she said. “I found myself on my own from the opening kilometres, and it was challenging to manage the race also from a mental standpoint. This is my second consecutive victory at the LAKE GARDA 42 and I’m very happy to close this spring road-racing block on such a positive note: now my trail running season in the mountains begins”.
Completing the podium were the Italians Lia Visintin and Laura Neulichedl, finishing in 1:25’49” and 1:31’14”.
In the men’s race, victory went to the brasilian Renato Silva Dos Santos José, crossing the line in 1:13’49”.
“It was a real pleasure to take part in such a beautiful race,” he said. “I’d like to thank PEAK Sport and, in particular, everyone who cheered us on and supported us along the course. I was able to hold a strong race pace, building a solid lead from the very beginning, which I then managed all the way to the finish line. Thank you all—running in Italy is truly wonderful”.

The Italian Simone Tola finished second in 1:14’33”, while the German Michael Schmitz placed third with a time of 1:16:18”.

Did you miss the fifth edition of PEAK LAKE GARDA 42? Don’t worry – you can catch up on the highlights at any time on our social media channels. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss out on any news from now on.