The Rome Marathon
The Rome Marathon is an annual event, a spectacular 42 km (26 mile) race through the heart of the Eternal City, beginning and ending in Via dei Fori Imperali. It’s without a doubt one of the most amazing marathon routes in the world, with runners passing monuments including St Peter’s Basilica, Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. It’s no wonder the Rome Marathon attracts runners from more than 100 different nations, with a range of professional runners, first-timers and wheelchair racers. The marathon has even become something of a tourist attraction in Rome, with huge crowds gathering to cheer on the runners as they make their way through the city centre.
A race through history
The popularity of the marathon in Rome lies in its remarkable route, which passes through the most beautiful and historic parts of the city. Here are some of the highlights of the marathon route:
- 0-10 km – After starting on the ancient road Via dei Fori Imperiali (which leads to the Colosseum), runners pass Circus Maximus, the Pyramid of Cestius and the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. The route then curves to the north, crossing the river and then crossing back again over Ponte Testaccio.
- 11-20 km – Runners go through the Testaccio neighbourhood and around the Aventine Hill, then follow the river, passing the Tiber Island and eventually crossing the river again and approaching the Vatican. The marathon route includes the breathtaking Via della Conciliazione, as runners approach St Peter’s Basilica before turning north into the Prati neighbourhood.
- 21-30 km – The route continues through Prati and then crosses the river, winding through the more residential streets of the Flaminio neighbourhood.
- 31-42 km – In the final stretch of the race runners head south again, passing through Piazza Navona, along the main shopping street (Via del Corso), through Piazza del Popolo, past the Spanish Steps and the Quirinal, finally crossing the finish line where they started – Via dei Fori Imperiali.
- It’s been estimated that the marathon route includes more than 500 monuments or sites of historical/cultural interest – there’s no other race quite like it!
Rome Marathon Results: April 2018
This year marked the 24th marathon in Rome, with more than 14,000 runners
taking part in the main race, and approximately 80,000 people participating in the 5 km “Fun Run”. The first to cross the marathon finish line was the Kenyan Cosmas-Jairus Kipchoge Birech, with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 3 seconds, while the
Ethiopian Rahma Tusa won the women’s race for the third year in a row with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and 46 seconds.
Taking part in the Rome Marathon
In order to take part in the Rome Marathon, you must be at least 20 years old and register in advance on the official website. The next marathon is scheduled for 7 April 2019.
For more information, check out the Rome Marathon website, where you can find out more about the marathon route and how to register.
If you don’t feel like you’ll be ready for a marathon this time next year, consider joining the Fun Run instead; you don’t have register until the day before.
