Page 1/2 City of Rome Marathon 2008/2009

If you’re looking for the ideal combination of athletic challenges and a nice weekend of sight-seeing, Rome Marathon is the place to go. Held annually in March, when nice days exceed hot days and the herds of tourists haven’t arrived yet, Rome Marathon attracts more and more runners each year. On March 16 2008, when the last version of Rome Marathon – or to be exact Maratona della cittá di Roma – was taking place, more than 11,000 runners showed up. Your next chance for a long run through this romantic and historic city is March 22, 2009.

As a participant in the City of 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 the Saint Peter’s, 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.

Throughout the years, Rome Marathon has been making good use of its unique status as the capital of the catholic church. For example, the milepost-year 2000 was celebrated by moving the start area to Saint Peter’s Square and having the pope himself wish all the runners good luck before the run. And even though the start line is now back in the gladiatorial ambience of the Coliseum, the word has it that priest and cardinals are among the cheering crowds when the runners pass Saint Peter’s Church. And if you need more than spiritual nourishment for finishing a marathon, just arrive a day or two early and feast on the many temptations in a city where it is almost impossible not to carb load.

And the best news is that you – or maybe your less marathon-passionate travel partner – don’t have to cover 42 km of narrow, Roman streets to experience the special atmosphere on marathon day. According to tradition, 15 minutes after the bold marathoners are sent on their way, 45,000 children, adults and seniors head out for the non-competitive Stracittadina Fun Run. The 4 km course shares its start line at the Coliseum with the marathon and cruises around the ancient city’s streets before finishing outside of Domus Aurea – the ruins of emperor Nero’s Golden House.

For more info and registration please visit the Rome Marathon official website here.

City of Rome Marathon Course
Check out a course that offers nice river views, ancient sights, maybe a close encounter with the pope – and a few dull section as a break from all the fun – here.

Find out much more at the next page:
Rome Marathon Results and Information