Venice and High Water During the Marathon

Yesterday marked the 39th edition of the Venice Marathon, one of the city’s most beloved and widely followed sporting events. As often happens in late October, the weather played a starring role. Forecasts predicted a tide peak of around 100 centimeters around noon, just as the marathon runners were crossing the finish line. Naturally, many wondered: “Will they be able to run dry, or will they face the high water?”

In the end, the Mose system — the mobile barrier network designed to protect the lagoon from exceptional tides — was not activated. The Municipality of Venice decided not to raise the barriers, since the expected tide level was below the threshold considered critical for activation.

As a result, some areas of the city, including Piazza San Marco, were partially flooded. The square was covered by a few centimeters of water, creating some inconvenience for tourists and residents, while much of the marathon route remained practicable.

The decision not to activate the Mose sparked discussion among city authorities. Some criticized the choice, arguing that the operation could have ensured completely dry conditions for the event, while others supported it, emphasizing the need to reserve activations for genuinely exceptional high tides given the system’s high operational costs — around 300,000 euros each time.

Despite the flooding in certain spots, the marathon concluded successfully, and the athletes managed to finish the race amid the unique and evocative scenery of Venice under high water.

The episode once again highlights the delicate balance between daily life, sporting events, and tide management in Venice. Nearly four years after its first use, the Mose remains a powerful but complex and costly tool, raising questions about how and when it should be deployed to best protect the city.

The Venice Marathon 2025 will thus be remembered not only for the athletes’ performance but also as a reminder of Venice’s ongoing challenge: living with the tides in a city that is both fragile and extraordinary.