Maratona di Roma

If you’re looking for the ideal combination of athletic challenges and a great weekend of sightseeing, Rome Marathon is the place to go. Held annually in March, when pleasant temperatures exceed hot days and the herds of tourists haven’t arrived yet, Rome Marathon attracts more and more runners each year. On March 18 2012, when Rome Marathon took place, over 12,000 runners finished the race with Kenyan Luka Lokobe Kanda crossing the finish line first clocking in at 2:08:04.As a participant in the Rome Marathon, you get to drink in the city’s historic atmosphere right from the beginning. 

The start line is placed in front of the 2,000 year old Coliseum, and from here the course is a veritable festival of magnificent sights. Among other things, you will run past Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and through a lot of picturesque, narrow streets in the old part of the city. So, remember your camera but leave your PB aspirations at home – you need time to appreciate all the breathtaking landmarks and to conquer the cobblestones, that cover about half the route. The course is surprisingly flat for a city built on seven hills, but the sometimes uneven cobblestone streets, which in the narrowest places can feel quite crowded, may add a few extra minutes to your finish time.