Italy’s Marche region launches 3rd edition of 5 Mila Marche cycling festival this September

International cyclists and their families will enjoy three days of cycling at the seaside resort of Porto Recanati in the Marche Region on the Italian Adriatic coast this September 8-10 2023, part of the Gran Fondo World Tour® Series

The 5 Mila Marche is a project of the Marche Region promoting the territory and national and international cycle tourism, one of Italy’s “lesser known” real cycling gems.

However, the event is fast becoming a favorite with international cyclists and their families who participate in a range of cycling activities with a special gala dinner and a LIVE music concert over the long weekend. The event is a great way to celebrate the end of the season.

The inaugural edition in 2021 sold-out and the 2022 edition attracted over 1,200 cyclists and their families.

Le Marche is known for its stunning landscapes, history, artistic heritage, and coast, an eastern Italian region, sits between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Ancona, its capital, is a port city on the Riviera del Conero, an area with sandy coves, limestone cliffs and medieval villages. Pesaro is the birthplace of renowned opera composer Rossini. The interior has countryside dotted with fortified hilltop settlements and the glaciated valleys of the Monti Sibillini National Park.

Experience three days of celebration in Porto Recanati, a beautiful seaside resort for relaxing summer holidays, where you can breathe a particular atmosphere of tranquillity, ideal for families and children too.

In true Italian flair, the event is specifically caters for cycling families who all want to spend a traditional long weekend celebrating cycling.

For Mum’s and Dad’s looking for a tougher challenge there’s the 250km 5 Mila Randonne with 5,300m of climbing (hence the name 5 Thousand) which includes two fierce Hors category climbs, the pass of Santa Maria Maddalena at an altitude of 1,445m and the Monte San Vicino at an altitude of 1,213m. The 5 Mila Rando is considered to one of the toughest Randonnèes in all of Italy and southern Europe.

For mere mortals there’s the 83km long Gran Fondo with 1,220m of climbing from sea level in Porto Recanati up into the breath-taking hills which are perfect for cycling, stunningly beautiful, quiet roads with steady gradients of up to 8%. There are two refreshment stop on route to keep your fuelled up and hydrated.           

There’s the 5MILA Long Route too, which is 113km with 1,720m of climbing and follows the same route as the Medio Fondo with the addition of more climbs and you will face a stretch of about 1 km with gradients of up to 15%. There are two refreshment stop on route to keep your fuelled up and hydrated.

Schedule of Events

On Friday September 8th, there is the 5Mila Challenge, an elimination time trial match in pairs on a 1.5 km route along the Porto Recanati seafront.

Saturday September 9th is the start of the 250km 5 Mila Randonne from the Adriatic Riviera to the Sibillini Mountains, a journey through the Marche region, land of fairy-tale villages and enchanting hills that will put you to the test. It is also the opening of the Expo Village at Piazza Brancondi in Porto Recanati.

On Saturday afternoon, children of all ages can take part in a Mini 5Mila with skills and sprint tests.

For children and families, the Expo Village hosts a Family cycle ride of 10 km to discover the splendid Monte Conero and its coast, complete with a food and wine aid station. 

In the evening there is a gala dinner with special guests and afterwards a LIVE music show with DJ NICOLA PIGINI.

Sunday September 10 is the Granfondo 5Mila, the competitive part of the event: with two routes, the 5MILA Long 113km with 1,712m of climbing and the 82km Gran Fondo with 1,212m of climbing that will give you the right motivation for a great season finale. The awards ceremony takes place in the afternoon.

Don't miss the chance to participate in the biggest cycling events in Italy of the end of the season.

The event is part of the 2023 Gran Fondo World Tour ® Series, by participating in events of the series, riders collect points for the Gran Fondo World Tour ® ranking system. The ranking is open to all cyclists, regardless of their level of preparation.

There are a special packages which include entry and accommodation for different hotels on offer.

For more information on the region, getting there, things to do and see and the cycling festival, please visit: https://www.5milamarche.com/en or click the button below to register now.