More than 44,000 join Corri la Vita, raising over €1 million for breast cancer projects

More than 44,000 people took part in the 24th edition of Corri la Vita in Florence on Sunday, 27 September 2026, while fundraising linked to the event exceeded €1 million, according to organisers.

Participants ran or walked along two routes through the city, starting from Viale Lincoln in the Parco delle Cascine and finishing at the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria. The two itineraries covered approximately 13 kilometres and six kilometres.

The money raised through donations, registrations and related initiatives will support projects focusing on breast cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Among the organisations supported are the Florence branch of LILT, the Italian League Against Cancer; the ISPRO-LILT oncology rehabilitation centre at Villa delle Rose; FILE, a Florence-based palliative care foundation; and Senonetwork Italia.

Pole vaulter Claudio Stecchi, the Italian indoor record holder, and model Mariacarla Boscono started the event. Florence Mayor Sara Funaro and Tuscany regional president Eugenio Giani were also present at the start.

The event’s cyclamen-pink T-shirt, produced for the 2026 edition with support from Ferragamo, was visible throughout the two routes.

Although Corri la Vita is a non-competitive event, organisers recorded the first participants to reach the finish. Maddalena Pizzamano was the first woman, followed by Camilla Fioriti and Alice Boncompagni. Ayoub Bouras was the first man, followed by Lablaida Abdeluoahed.

Health screenings in central Florence

Breast cancer prevention was also the focus of activities held away from the course.

From 25 to 27 September, a Health Village in Piazza della Repubblica provided information and prevention activities. ISPRO, Tuscany’s regional institute for cancer prevention and research, operated a mobile unit offering pre-booked digital mammograms, while a LILT mobile clinic in Piazza della Signoria provided free pre-booked melanoma screening.

Organisers said 44 mammograms were carried out on Saturday alone.

Museums and cultural sites join the event

Culture was also part of the programme. Participants wearing the official T-shirt or showing proof of their donation could visit more than 69 cultural sites free of charge in Florence and elsewhere in Tuscany.

Sites involved included museums, historic buildings and other cultural institutions, with special openings organised as part of the event.

After the longer route finished, activities continued in Piazza della Signoria with music, presentations and accounts of the work carried out by organisations supported by Corri la Vita. Women who have experienced breast cancer also shared their experiences, while representatives of healthcare and support organisations discussed prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Corri la Vita was founded in 2003 and has developed into one of Florence’s largest annual charity events. Its activities are centred on supporting women affected by breast cancer and funding prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

(Cover photo Luca Moggi via Corri La Vita Newsletter)

❤️ Support Florence Daily News

If you liked this article, please consider supporting Florence Daily News.

We are an independent news site, free from paywalls and intrusive ads, committed to providing clear and reliable reporting on Florence and Tuscany for everyone.

Your support — whether a one-time gift or a regular contribution — helps us stay independent and keep telling the stories that matter.

Donate securely via Stripe below.