Rome Marathon 2026

The Rome Marathon 🇮🇹 (or Run Rome The Marathon, its real name 😌) is like a good spritz! 🍸 At first, you might wonder how you'll ever finish your glass race. But after a few sips kilometers, you start feeling pretty good. And finally, when you reach the end of that delightful cocktail marathon, you almost want to order run a second one! 😏 No cocktail today (sorry 😭), but we'll still take you to discover this wonderful event known as the Rome Marathon! 💫

Every year, nearly 25,000 people (all events included ✊) gather to run in the City of Seven Hills ⛰️. As its nickname suggests, Rome has its ups and downs 🪜 (Vatican, Villa Borghese… 🌳). However, the organizers have designed a fairly flat course 📏. Sure, it's not the fastest marathon in Europe 🇪🇺, but aside from one or two hills, a few tight turns, and the cobblestones, you won't face insurmountable challenges! 🧘‍♀️ Runners will quickly forget these quirks as they're swept away by the beauty of the monuments and the delightful atmosphere of the city 🥰. As for the events, there's plenty of choice! On the schedule: a marathon of 42.195 kilometers that you can run solo or in a 4-person relay 🤝, as well as a "Fun Race" 🤪 of 5 km. And if we told you that you might just find love, true love, in the eternal city? 🩷 The love of running and marathons, of course!

Uno, due, tre… Andiamo! Open your eyes wide 👀, you're in for a visual treat (and your legs too 🦵🔥). Rome is truly an open-air museum! 🏛 Indeed, at every kilometer, or rather every 100 meters, you'll spot a new monument… 😍 Your race will start and finish at the foot of the fabulous edifice known as the Colosseum 📍. There's nothing better for the running gladiator that you are, isn't it? ⚔️ Then, it's off to the hippodrome, the oldest, largest, and most beautiful in Rome… AKA the Circo Massimo 🐎 (or Circus Maximus for those who took Latin 🗣️)! After about ten kilometers, you'll reach the popular neighborhood of Trastevere. However, you won't delve into it because its charming alleys are too narrow 🤏 to accommodate thousands of marathon runners. Nonetheless, you must visit this picturesque borough before or after the race (ideally in the evening when the area becomes lively... 🪩). Let’s continue with the course description... ➡️

Shortly before the halfway point, you'll pass the iconic Castel Sant'Angelo 👼 (ranked number 2 monument to visit on Tripadvisor, tied with the Vatican 🇻🇦). Perfect timing! Speaking of the Vatican... 🙄 Around km 17, you'll run towards St. Peter's Basilica 🪨, up the renowned "Via della Conciliazione" leading to the Vatican, closed off for the event 🛑. It's arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of the marathon... 🤌 In 2013, the marathon faced an incredible disruption. Following Pope Benedict XVI's ✝️ resignation, the conclave's arrangement for electing a new Pope jeopardized the marathon event 🏃‍♂️. But organizers ingeniously altered the course… 👏 No worries this year; you should be able to run near the Vatican! 😅 Along the route, you'll see the Baths of Caracalla 🏊, the Pyramid of Cestius, the Tiber Island and St. Peter's Basilica ⛪️. After this, you'll pass the imposing building of the Supreme Court of Cassation. Then, you'll zigzag through the Prati district, meandering through the grand boulevards of this early 20th-century area 👍.

For the second half-marathon, you'll head north of Rome 🏛️ along the Tiber River (west bank). It's slightly greener 🍃, with fewer monuments 🌬️. Football fans ⚽️ will have a highlight passing near the Stadio Olimpico 🏟️. Gradually, you'll re-enter Rome's center as the crowd gathers 📣, giving you wings 🪽 with its stunning sights (and many cobblestones of course 😅). Highlights include the Via del Corso, ascending before a 180° turn at Piazza del Popolo, descending to the Spanish Steps 🇪🇸 (breathtaking, you'll see 😉). And there's more! You'll also explore Piazza Navona, with its three stunning fountains ⛲️, its terraces ☕️, and its baroque architecture buildings. Finally, you'll have the privilege of running the last kilometers of this marathon through the historic center of the city 😮. And, like the gladiator you've always been 🤺, you'll cross the finish line 🏁 at the Colosseum! 🏆 "Not much nature to see?" you might say. True 👊, but don't forget that the Tiber, the legendary river where Romulus and Remus were abandoned, is never far from you. In fact, you'll cross it 6 times!

If 42 km solo is too much for you (which is understandable 🫠), you can choose the 4-person relay marathon. There's a huge enthusiasm for this event, gathering nearly 1,500 teams! 💪 Alternatively, you can run solo on the 5 km course centered around the Circo Massimo and the Colosseum, considered one of the most beautiful 5 km courses in the world 🌎. Alongside the marathon, an expo 🛋️ is hosted at the Rome Convention Center in the EUR district (Esposizione Universale di Roma). At this expo, you can: pick up your race bib 🎽, shop for some essentials 🛍️ to be well-equipped for the big day 😜, or grab a bite 🍕 to fuel up on carbs! 😬 Plus, a variety of activities are planned throughout the weekend (photo booth 📸, musical entertainment 🎷, guest interviews…🎤).

So, what's on the agenda after all this? 🤔 Any ideas? Alright, once and for all, let's stop teasing and finally answer the (only?) question that really matters: "where to find the best spritz in Rome?" 🍸 If you're looking for a peaceful, charming spot to enjoy the precious drink, we definitely recommend heading to the Trastevere district and particularly Trilussa Square! 😊 Otherwise, if you want to wander off the beaten path, you must check out the EUR district. Built by Mussolini in the 1930s and intended as a showcase for fascism, this district truly offers something unique. Don’t miss the Square Colosseum, it's worth the detour! ↩️ Finally, if you're already familiar with Rome, you might want to visit Ostia. Located south of Rome 🧭, about 15 minutes by train 🚞 from the Pyramid Station, Ostia is a magnificent coastal resort! 🌊 Nowadays a vacation spot for wealthy Romans 🤑, Ostia and its port ⚓️ once served as Rome's gateway to the world!

Your mouth's watering for spritz this race experience, right? Don't wait to reserve your spot 🪑. Every year, the event draws a huge crowd and spots are limited! ⚠️