Photo: Organisation Ronda Ghibellina (opens in a new tab) / Source (opens in a new tab)Castiglion Fiorentino
Ronda Ghibellina
Saturday, 30 January 2027
Ronda Ghibellina PLUS
70km D+ 3100m
Ronda Ghibellina
46.4km D+ 2500m
Ronda Assassina
24km D+ 1200m
Ronda Minima
15.7km D+ 700m
Your checklist for Ronda Ghibellina
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
Swipe to see all 7 categories
Swipe to see all 7 categories
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Garmin Forerunner 265
Highly accurate dual-frequency multi-band GPS
Downside: No onboard topo maps
Gear
Two pairs of gloves
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Hoka Speedgoat 7
Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances
Downside: High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel
Nutrition
Warm food at checkpoints
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Maurten Gel 100
Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance
Downside: High price compared to other gels
Sun Protection
Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Julbo Aerospeed
Photochromic lenses: adapt from forest to summits
Downside: Higher price compared to non-photochromic glasses
Car Rental
Book in advance and check the mileage policy
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus
Trip logistics
Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.
Affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Seasonal kit
Ronda Ghibellina runs into the night: low-light kit
Main and backup headlamp, battery, pre-dawn layers and night-time fuelling.
See the full kit : Night Trail Running Kit: What to Carry in Autumn and Winter Races With Short DaylightYou may also need: What to Wear for Cold-Weather Trail Running 2026: The Complete Layering Kit
Race data
Terrain
Trail
Difficulty
Advanced
Distance
4 modalities
Ronda Ghibellina PLUS
- Distance
- 70 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 3100m
- Max Time
- -
Ronda Ghibellina
- Distance
- 46.4 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 2500m
- Max Time
- -
Ronda Assassina
- Distance
- 24 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1200m
- Max Time
- -
Ronda Minima
- Distance
- 15.7 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 700m
- Max Time
- -
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronda Ghibellina PLUS | 70 km | D+ 3100m | - |
| Ronda Ghibellina | 46.4 km | D+ 2500m | - |
| Ronda Assassina | 24 km | D+ 1200m | - |
| Ronda Minima | 15.7 km | D+ 700m | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~15 h of Ronda Ghibellina?Worked out for the longest course (70 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchGear up for Ronda Ghibellina
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
See comparison
Best Trail Running Headlamps 2026: 12 Models Compared
See comparison
Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
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Best Trail Running Hydration Vests 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
See comparison
Historical weather
What to wear at 5 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
1°C – 10°C
Average 6°C
Rain
23%
1.3 mm avg
Wind
13 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
6h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Bring thermal layers (low of 1°C)
Buff
Buff Thermonet
Thermal tubular Buff with Primaloft technology. Traps body heat, ultralight and versatile: hat, neck gaiter, headband. Ideal for high mountain.
Craft
Craft Pro Hypervent LS Wind Top
Thermal top with a windproof ripstop panel on the chest and a highly ventilated soft jersey back. Built for high-intensity sessions in cold, windy conditions, with long cuffs and thumb loops.
HANKER
HANKER Thermal Neck Gaiter
Unisex thermal seamless neck gaiter in Soft Air Plus fabric (97% polyester). Seamless fit designed for trail running, cycling, motorcycling and outdoor sports. A budget alternative to Buff for moderate cold.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe
Long-sleeve thermal top in 100% merino wool (200g). Natural temperature regulation, genuine multi-day odor resistance and a soft, non-itch handfeel from the fine merino yarn.
Odlo
Odlo Active Warm Eco
Long-sleeve thermal base layer made from recycled fabric with anti-odour treatment. Active thermal regulation, ideal as a base layer in the mountains.
Odlo
Odlo I-Thermic Women's Longsleeve
Women's long-sleeve thermal top with insulating panels placed over cold-sensitive areas (lower back and kidneys). A mid-layer built for genuinely cold winter conditions, mountain outings or cross-country-style trail sessions.
ROCKBROS
ROCKBROS Thermal Windproof Balaclava
Thermal windproof balaclava covering head, ears, cheeks and neck. Designed for cycling and motorcycling, it works just as well on windy, freezing trail runs.
Salomon
Salomon Agile LS Tee
Lightweight quick-dry polyester long-sleeve tee with underarm mesh, a side pocket and reflective details. Works as a standalone layer in mild cold or as a base layer under a windbreaker on colder days.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Run Tight
Long trail tights with stretchy, breathable fabric. Adjustable waist, zipped back pocket. Protection from cold and vegetation.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Warm Glove
Thermal running gloves with a non-slip palm and touchscreen fingertips. Light, warm and compatible with poles.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock
Compression thermal top with a dual-layer fabric: ultra-warm brushed interior and quick-dry exterior. Second-skin compression fit with stretch mesh panels at the back and underarms for ventilation without losing warmth.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock (Men's)
Men's high-neck thermal compression top: brushed interior that holds heat and a quick-dry outer. Base layer for cold-weather runs.
Bring thermal gloves (low of 1°C)
Gore Wear
Gore Wear C5 GORE-TEX Glove
Glove with a fully waterproof, windproof GORE-TEX membrane and light insulation. The pick for running in snow, sleet or heavy rain while keeping your hand dry.
Gore Wear
Gore Wear M GORE-TEX Thermo Glove
Warmer variant of the Gore Wear C5 GORE-TEX: the same fully waterproof, windproof membrane, with extra thermal lining for intense cold on top of snow or rain. The pick when the problem isn't just water, but water AND hard cold at once.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Oasis Liners
Thin merino wool glove, lightweight and breathable, with good moisture management and none of the overheating of a thick technical glove. Ideal as a liner layer or for mild winter temperatures.
LEKI
LEKI Ultra Trail Storm Shark
Glove for pole runners with the Shark system: clips straight into the grip of compatible LEKI poles, transferring force without closing your hand. Windproof and water-repellent.
Ronhill
Ronhill GORE-TEX Windstopper Glove
Running glove with GORE-TEX Windstopper fabric: blocks wind and repels light rain without the bulk of an insulated glove. Thin, close-fitting and dexterous.
Salomon
Salomon Bonatti Pro Waterproof Glove
Lightweight waterproof glove built for running, not just standing still in the snow: a waterproof membrane with more dexterity and less bulk than a thick membrane glove, for sustained rain without giving up handling gels or poles.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Warm Glove
Thermal running gloves with a non-slip palm and touchscreen fingertips. Light, warm and compatible with poles.
Salomon
Salomon Fast Wing Winter Glove
Technical winter trail running glove with a windproof outer shell and warm lining. Built for long outings in intense cold, wind and some moisture in the mountains.
Sealskinz
Sealskinz Waterproof Lightweight Glove
Lightweight waterproof glove from a brand that specializes in outdoor sport waterproofing. A solid middle ground between a thin windproof glove and a thick membrane glove: genuinely waterproof without the bulk or price of the Gore C5.
Consider long tights for nighttime cold
Amazon Essentials
Amazon Essentials Active Sculpt Plus-Size Leggings
High-waisted leggings with Active Sculpt compression fabric, available in plus sizes. Wide waistband that doesn't roll down or over-compress during long mountain outings.
HANKER
HANKER Women's Cropped Compression Leggings with Pockets
Compression capri tights with high waist and phone pockets. Quick-drying, suitable for running and trail.
Izas
Izas Olimpia Women's Long Tights
Women's long leggings with a shaping, push-up compression effect, stretch breathable fabric and reflective details. Originally designed for gym and yoga, but the compression and reflective details also make it usable for low-light running.
Joma
Joma Academy Knight Men's Thermal Tights
Men's thermal pants with a brushed inner lining, built for training and running in cold weather. Elastic drawstring waist and heat-retaining fabric for winter outings or cold early mornings.
Joma
Joma Vela II Women's Shorts
Lightweight, stretch women's running shorts with a wide size range (4XS to 2XL). Breathable fabric built for training and running in summer without overheating.
Salomon
Salomon Comet Warm Tight W
Salomon women's thermal long tights for training and racing in the cold. A warm layer for autumn and winter.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Run Tight
Long trail tights with stretchy, breathable fabric. Adjustable waist, zipped back pocket. Protection from cold and vegetation.
Forecast for 30 January
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
The Tuscany that never makes the postcards
Ronda Ghibellina is the winter race of the Val di Chio, starting and finishing in Castiglion Fiorentino with four distances on 30-31 January 2027. The long race is 70 km and 3,100 m of climbing on Etruscan tracks, olive grove paths and holm oak woods.
The rest of the programme lets you build up: 46.4 km with 2,500 m, 24 km with 1,200 m and 15.7 km with 700 m. All share the same kind of ground, twisting and sticky when it rains.
A course of olives, castles and mud
The route passes Cortona, medieval castles and Etruscan walls, with farm tracks where mud becomes the real enemy. There is no alpine climbing, but a constant sum of short hills that wears you down.
Weather and strategy
Late January in Tuscany means damp cold: 2-10 °C, frozen dawns and guaranteed mud. The 70 km starts in the dark and needs a headlamp and warm layers you can shed.
It is an ideal race to open the season and measure form without destroying yourself. More winter trails at /en/races/italia/toscana/ and kit at /en/planner/.
360Complete Pack
Ronda entry
RegistrationAn early-season race with capped bibs and a reduced fee until December.
Tips
- •Enter in December
- •Show experience for the 70 km
Staying in Castiglion Fiorentino
AccommodationThe town is small: Cortona and Arezzo, 20-30 minutes away, have far more beds.
Tips
- •Cortona 15 minutes away
- •Book somewhere with early breakfast
Mud and cold kit
GearJanuary in Val di Chio: mud, ice and damp. Grippy shoes and a waterproof shell.
Tips
- •Two pairs of gloves
- •Waterproof socks if it rains
Which shoes for Ronda Ghibellina?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Ronda Ghibellina?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
Comparison of the best neck gaiters for trail running in 2026: Buff Original, Midweight, Windproof, DryFlx, CoolNet UV+, Thermonet, HANKER and Salomon Merino. Which to pick based on sun, wind, cold or budget.
Best Thermal Base Layer for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
The best thermal base layers for trail running in 2026: Odlo Active Warm Eco, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis, Craft Pro Hypervent, Under Armour ColdGear, Salomon Agile LS Tee and Odlo I-Thermic. Which to pick based on cold, sweat management, merino wool, compression or built-in wind protection.
Best Trail Running Gaiters 2026: 3-Way Comparison
Comparing the 3 best trail running gaiters in 2026: Salomon Trail Gaiters High, Salomon Trail Gaiters Low and TRIWONDER waterproof gaiters. Which to pick by terrain and budget.
Race fuel
NutritionThe 70 km piles up 3,100 m without respite: eat every 40 minutes and save gels for the night.
Tips
- •Warm food at checkpoints
- •Salt to avoid cramps
Getting there
TransportCastiglion Fiorentino has a station on the Florence-Rome line, 1 h 30 from Florence.
Tips
- •Regional train from Florence
- •Parking near the centre
Car rental for Ronda Ghibellina
Car RentalA car makes it easier to reach the start and get around before and after the race.
Tips
- •Book in advance and check the mileage policy
- •Useful if your accommodation is far from the start
Sports insurance for Ronda Ghibellina
InsuranceCover your participation with insurance that includes medical assistance and mountain rescue.
Tips
- •Check that it covers the race format and elevation gain
- •Review rescue cover if the race is in the mountains
Sun protection for Ronda Ghibellina
Sun ProtectionSun exposure takes its toll on long races, especially on exposed sections and at midday.
Tips
- •Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
- •Protect lips, ears and neck
Body care for Ronda Ghibellina
Body CareKilometres and descents punish feet and skin: anti-chafe balm and blister patches prevent DNFs.
Tips
- •Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
- •Blister patches in your pocket
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Ronda Ghibellina 2027?
- From Saturday 30 to Sunday 31 January 2027, starting and finishing in Castiglion Fiorentino.
- Is it a winter race?
- Yes: it runs in late January with mud, morning ice and 2-10 °C.
- How many distances?
- Four: 70 km, 46.4 km, 24 km and 15.7 km, all on the Val di Chio tracks.
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