[1] The competition is named in honour of Anthony of Padua, a 13th-century saint who died in the city.
[2][3] A new course was introduced for the 2011 edition, which began in Campodarsego and found its end point in Padua's large city square – the Prato della Valle.
[5][6] The event has also included a hand bike race for disabled athletes and former race-car driver Alex Zanardi won the 2011 competition.
[7] The success of African runners at the marathon drew the ire of Pietro Giovannoni, a local politician and Lega Nord member, who said public funds should not be used to support a race won by foreigners.
The city's deputy mayor Ivo Rossi condemned the comments, saying they were idiotic and damaging to the region's image.