Starting in the small town of Lucca in Tuscany, we make our way to lovely town of Ferrara in the Emilia Romagna region, where the 12.5 km GIRO DELLE MURA event is held. The Organisers are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about running and truly love their event, now in its 53rd year. Along the way we experience authentic, amazing Italian food. This Tour is what Eat and Run is all about
3 Unique Towns (Lucca - Pavullo Nel Frignano - Ferrara) | 2 Regions (Tuscany - Emilia Romagna) | 9 Days, 8 Nights accommodation | group training | all transfers | ALL meals every day | Guaranteed Event Entry
Day 1 - Wednesday, 24 April - LUCCA
Arriving either at Pisa International Airport or Lucca train station, you will be met and taken to your apartment within the ancient city walls. This evening, we'll head out for a light 8km jog around the city of Lucca before we meet for dinner at a lovely modern restaurant
Day 2 - Thursday, 25 April - LUCCA
8am: 8-12km jog around city walls before breakfast. We'll have a free morning in the centre of Lucca where you are encouraged to climb a tower or book a Puccini recital
Lunch will be at the local pizzeria followed by a free afternoon within the ancient city walls, or you may want an afternoon siesta
6pm: We’ll meet for a light 4-8km walk / jog (your choice) around city walls
For Dinner tonight, we’ll travel to the nearby town of Calci for an amazing setting in a local Agriturismo
Day 3 - Friday, 26 April - LUCCA-PISA-LUCCA
8am: We take the short drive to Pisa for our Long Run (anywhere between 8 - 21 km). We’ll stay in Pisa for Breakfast in a delightful cafeteria
Lunch at a typical sandwich bar in Pisa, followed by a trip to a gelateria on the way home
6pm: 4-8km walk/jog (your choice)
Dinner: We travel just outside of Lucca to a classical Italian restaurant serving classical Italian dishes
Day 4 - Saturday, 27 April - LUCCA-PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO
8am: 8-12 km run along the Puccini trail. After Breakfast, we leave Lucca and head to the town of Pavullo Nel Frignano, a culinary and running delight
Lunch will be at our quaint 'Bed-and-Breakfast' in Pavullo and it won’t disappoint. We’ll have an afternoon walk around town (or a siesta)
5pm: 4-8km jog or walk around the local airfield
Dinner: Just outside of town, we'll head to an amazing castle for an amazing dinner. This will be the culinary highlight of our Tour
Day 5 - Sunday, 28 April - PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO
8am: This morning, we’ll do a tempo run over 8-10km, or Interval session (2x3min, 3x2min, 4x1min) - the last session ahead of Wednesday's event
Lunch at another nearby food venue that rivals any in the region
6pm: 4-8km light walk or jog around the local airfield
Dinner: low-key tonight, we head to the local pizzeria where we dine with the locals on pizza, pasta and local wine
Day 6 - Monday, 29 April - PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO-FERRARA
8am: 8km jog around Pavullo. After breakfast, we farewell Pavullo and travel on to Ferrara, the town of our race
Lunch: typical Ferrarese lunch
6pm: 4-8km walk or jog around Ferrara
Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Ferrara
Day 7 - Tuesday, 30 April - FERRARA
8am: 8km jog around most of the course. We then visit the local markets
Lunch: Typical Ferrarese lunch
6pm: 4-8km walk around Ferrara
Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Ferrara
Day 8 - Wednesday, 1 May - FERRARA - Event Day - Giro Delle Mura 12.5km
After a light breakfast, we head to the start of this event (the local horse track) before the run heads out onto the roads of Ferrara and onto the ancient city walls (Le Mura)
Lunch at an Agriturismo, serving local specialties
Dinner we head to a local restaurant in the city of Ferrara before we move on to a lovely bar in the main square for farewell drinks
Day 9 - Thursday, 2 May - FERRARA - LUCCA
After an early morning recovery jog and Breakfast, we depart Ferrara for Lucca. Your drop-off options today are: Ferrara Train Station, Lucca Train Station, PISA International Airport.