Florence will turn cyclamen pink on Sunday, September 27, for the 24th edition of Corri la Vita, the annual charity event combining a run and walk through the city with fundraising for breast cancer prevention, early diagnosis and care.
The event will start at 9:15 a.m. from Viale Lincoln in the Parco delle Cascine, Florence’s largest public park, and finish in Piazza della Signoria, in the historic centre. Participants can choose between a short route of about 6.1 kilometres and a longer route of about 13.3 kilometres. Both routes are due to close at 12:30 p.m.
More than 40,000 people took part in the 2025 edition, according to the organisers. Corri la Vita was founded in 2003 and has raised and distributed more than €10.2 million over its first 23 editions, while attracting more than 580,000 participants. The funds support projects connected with breast cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, psycho-oncology and rehabilitation.
Two routes through Florence
Both routes begin on the western side of central Florence before crossing the Arno and heading into the Oltrarno district.
The shorter route passes through areas including Porta Romana, Via San Leonardo and Costa San Giorgio before crossing Ponte Vecchio and finishing in Piazza della Signoria.
The longer course continues towards Piazzale Michelangelo before returning to the city centre via Ponte alle Grazie. It then passes Florence Cathedral, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Tornabuoni and Santa Maria Novella before reaching Piazza della Signoria.
Corri la Vita is not limited to competitive running. Participants can walk the route, and the shorter itinerary has been designed to include a series of cultural stops.
Museums and normally inaccessible places open their doors
One of the distinguishing features of Corri la Vita is its cultural programme. The official event T-shirt, a donation receipt of at least €10 or a valid registration certificate gives participants free access to a large programme of museums, churches, historic buildings and other sites on September 27. Some require advance booking.
Eleven cultural sites are included directly along the morning walking route. They include Casa Capponi, the Museum of Restoration and the chapel of Palazzo Ridolfi, the Santo Spirito complex, the former convent of San Giovanni della Calza, Bardini Garden, the Church of San Giorgio alla Costa and the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno.
The latter is among the notable additions to the programme. Founded in Florence in the 16th century, the Accademia is one of the city’s historic artistic institutions.
The programme extends well beyond the walking route. Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Museo degli Innocenti and other sites will offer free admission during specified hours.
Contemporary art is also included. Participants can visit Palazzo Strozzi for the exhibition Broken. The Power of the Fragment, while the restored spaces of Palazzo Buontalenti will host OPEN: A New Civic Space for Art and Science.
The initiative also gives access to places that are not conventional tourist attractions. Among them is Florence’s Anconella water treatment plant, which supplies drinking water to the city and can be visited on guided tours with advance booking.
Activities along the Arno include visits to the historic headquarters of the Canottieri di Firenze rowing club and trips on traditional renaioli boats.
Cultural sites beyond Florence
The programme also extends into the wider Tuscan region.
The Luigi Pecci Centre for Contemporary Art in Prato and the Straw Museum in Signa, west of Florence, are among the participating institutions. Museums in the Empolese Valdelsa area will also open to Corri la Vita participants, including sites in Vinci, Certaldo, Empoli, Montelupo Fiorentino and other towns west of Florence.
Among them are the Leonardo Museum in Vinci and Leonardo da Vinci’s birthplace at Anchiano.
How to take part
Registration opened on September 1. Participants must make a minimum donation of €10 and can obtain the official 2026 cyclamen-pink T-shirt, designed by Ferragamo, either from distribution points in Florence and the surrounding area or online while stocks last. Participants who want to join the run or walk must also register online.
The organisers advise checking individual cultural sites before visiting, as opening hours vary and several activities require advance reservations.
The event is organised by Corri la Vita ETS, the non-profit organisation behind the annual fundraiser.
A separate Health Village will also be held in Piazza della Repubblica from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27, with activities dedicated to health and prevention.
Corri la Vita takes place on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The meeting point is Viale Lincoln in the Parco delle Cascine at 9:15 a.m., with both routes ending in Piazza della Signoria. The short route is approximately 6.1 km and the long route 13.3 km.
(Cover photo taken from Corri la vita website)
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