The Race
The Rome Marathon starts on the Via dei Fori Imperiali — the ceremonial avenue flanked by the ruins of the Imperial Fora — and follows a 42.195 km loop through the historic centre, passing the Circus Maximus, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona, St Peter's Square, and Castel Sant'Angelo before finishing on the Via Sacra in front of the Colosseum. No other marathon course passes through this density of monument per kilometre. The trade-off is the cobblestones: significant sections of the course run on the original Roman basalt paving, which requires care and costs time.
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course type | Loop course through the historic centre. Point-to-point start and finish near the Colosseum. |
| Certification | IAAF Gold Label |
| Start location | Via dei Fori Imperiali, near the Colosseum |
| Finish location | Via Sacra, near the Colosseum |
| Elevation gain | Approximately 230m total |
| Total finishers | ~16,000 |
| Cutoff time | 7 hours |
| Avg race-day temp | 8 to 16°C (mid-March, Rome) |
| Free race-day transport | No (Metro ticket recommended) |
| Surface | Mixed: tarmac and original cobblestone sections |
Course note: The cobblestone sections are the defining characteristic of the Rome Marathon. They are not purely decorative; they require active attention and slow you down relative to tarmac. Factor this into your pacing plan. The finish straight on the Via Sacra approaching the Colosseum is entirely worth it.
Entry
| Entry Type | Open registration (not a ballot) |
| Registration Opens | Late spring/summer for the following March race |
| Registration | runromethemarathon.com |
| Entry Fee | Increases in price bands as places are taken - book early |
| International Entry | Tour operators offer guaranteed entry with hotel packages |
The Rome Marathon is open entry - there is no ballot. Registration opens in the summer prior to the March race and is available directly at runromethemarathon.com. Entry fees increase in price bands as the race fills; book as early as possible for the lowest cost. International tour operators offer guaranteed entry packages combining hotel, transfers, and race registration - a practical option for runners booking from outside Italy, as these packages secure accommodation at the same time as entry.
The race is rated IAAF Gold Label. The start and finish are at the Colosseum - one of the most photographed finish lines in road running. The course passes the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the Capitoline Hill, Piazza Navona, St Peter's Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain. Expect mixed underfoot surfaces: some cobblestones on the historic roads can be slippery when wet.
Race Weekend
Expo and Number Collection
The expo takes place at Palazzo dei Congressi in the EUR district, two to three days before race Sunday. Take Metro Line B from Colosseo station in the direction of Laurentina; EUR Fermi station is directly outside the venue. Journey time approximately 15 minutes from the centre. There is no race-day number collection; allow 90 minutes for the round trip and expo visit.
Getting to the Start
The start is on Via dei Fori Imperiali, directly in front of the Colosseum. Metro Line B (Colosseo stop) is the most direct route from most central hotels. Many Centro Storico and Trastevere hotels are within walking distance. March mornings in Rome can be 8 to 10°C; the Colosseum area is exposed. Bring a throwaway layer; discarded clothing is donated to charity.
The Course
The course runs from the Colosseum westward through the Roman Forum, along the Circus Maximus, across the Tiber into Trastevere, north along the river to the Vatican and St Peter's, then east via the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain before returning southeast to the finish at the Colosseum. The course is mixed - approximately 230m of cumulative elevation gain from undulating terrain and bridge crossings. Cobblestoned sections on Sampietrini stones are present throughout the historic centre. These become slippery when wet; check the forecast in race week.
After the Finish
The finish returns to Via dei Fori Imperiali near the Colosseum. Post-race bag collection is in the finish zone; use the official marathon bag from your race pack. Metro Line B (Colosseo stop) provides direct access to most central hotels. Allow 20 to 30 minutes post-finish for the congestion on the platform to ease.
Where to Stay
Stay in the Centro Storico or Trastevere, both within walking distance of the Colosseum start and finish. The neighbourhood guide here is simpler than most marathons: start and finish are at the same point, and the most practical hotels are the ones closest to that point. Trastevere is the quieter alternative with slightly longer walking distances but a more characterful neighbourhood base. The Termini area has more budget options with good Metro Line B access. Avoid hotels in the Prati neighbourhood (near the Vatican): it is on the course but inconveniently located relative to the finish. Book six to nine months in advance; mid-March in Rome overlaps with the start of tourist season.
The Rocco Forte flagship in Rome. A terraced garden at the base of the Pincian Hill, within the historic centre. The most consistently correct hotel for marathon weekend.
A small, house-hotel near the Spanish Steps. 30 rooms. Strong spa. The Piazza di Spagna is outside the door; the start area is 15 minutes on foot.
Ivy-covered, directly behind Piazza Navona. A Rome institution with a rooftop terrace. Walking distance to the Pantheon, the Campo de' Fiori, and the start.
Converted convent in Trastevere, Rome's most characterful neighbourhood. Courtyard garden, flat access to the start area via Ponte Sisto. The right base for runners who want to explore on foot before the race.
A reliable mid-range option near Termini. Good Metro access to both the expo and the start. The rooftop has a view of the city. The Via Nazionale itself is flat.
See & Do
The finish at the Colosseum is at the edge of the archaeological zone. The Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, and the Circus Maximus are all within 500m. The historic centre - Trastevere, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona - is 2 to 3km on foot. All distances below are from the finish on Via dei Fori Imperiali.
The Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill
0.3km (0.2 miles) from the finish. Entry to the Forum and Palatine Hill is combined with the Colosseum ticket - the three-site pass is significantly better value than visiting each separately. The Palatine Hill is the flattest of the three sites; the Forum requires uneven stone walking. The view from the Palatine south over the Circus Maximus and east toward the Colosseum is the correct reason to visit. Book timed entry in advance; walk-up queues on a spring weekend are long.
Trastevere
1.4km (0.9 miles) from the finish. The oldest continuously inhabited neighbourhood of Rome: medieval lanes, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere (the oldest church in Rome with continuous worship), and the best eating neighbourhood in the historic centre. The Ponte Sisto provides the most direct walking route from the finish. Flat approach via the Lungotevere; the neighbourhood itself has some gentle grades.
Pantheon
2.1km (1.3 miles) from the finish. The best-preserved building from ancient Rome: a free-standing dome with an oculus at the centre, built in 125 AD, still structurally intact. Admission required since 2023 (€5, advance booking recommended). Entry without a timed slot is unpredictable on a spring weekend. The Piazza della Rotonda directly outside is one of the more functional city squares in Rome - tables at Caffè della Pace for a post-race afternoon.
Piazza Navona
2.3km (1.4 miles) from the finish. The course runs directly past it on race day. Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers at the centre; the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone on the west side. The piazza is always busy, but the best access to the internal view of the oval - the footprint of the ancient Circus of Domitian - is from the north or south ends at street level.
After the Race
The Rome Marathon runs in mid-March. Spring arrives early in Lazio - the countryside is green, the tourist season has not yet started, and the trains run reliably. All excursions below depart from Rome Termini or Roma Ostiense and are planned for post-marathon legs: flat archaeological parks, thermal springs, and medieval hill towns with funicular access.
The largest preserved Roman city outside Pompeii, built on the Tiber delta flood plain: entirely flat. The Decumanus Maximus, the theatre mosaics, the trade guild square. Almost no other visitors in March.
The Villa d'Este hydraulic garden with 500 fountains powered by a diverted river. The upper terraces are accessible without descending the full hillside. The fountains begin operating in mid-March.
A walled medieval city of the papal period, 3 kilometres from a thermal spring that has been in therapeutic use since the Etruscans. The outdoor pool sits at 37°C. The effect on post-marathon muscles is specific and reliable.
Two nights based in the medieval borgo adjacent to the archaeological park, with proximity to the Tyrrhenian coast at Ostia Lido. Exit directly to Fiumicino Airport, 15 minutes by taxi, without re-entering central Rome.
Two nights in Orvieto: the Gothic cathedral, the Signorelli frescoes, the funicular up the tufa cliff. Then two nights at Lake Bracciano in a volcanic caldera, with a flat lakeside path and a 15th-century castle. Exit to Fiumicino without returning to Rome.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish?
Both are in the historic centre near the Colosseum. The Centro Storico and Trastevere are the best bases: walking distance to the start, well-connected by Metro Line B for the expo.
How do I enter?
Open registration, not a ballot. Places available on a first-come basis from autumn. Register at runromethemarathon.com. International tour packages with guaranteed entry are also available.
What is the weather typically like?
Mid-March: 8 to 16°C, with a moderate chance of rain. Variable conditions are common. The cobblestoned sections of the course can be slippery when wet. Check the forecast in race week.
What is the best area to stay?
The Centro Storico puts you closest to the start and finish. Trastevere is quieter and flat along the river. The Termini area has budget options with good Metro access to both the expo and the course.
When does the expo open?
Two to three days before race Sunday at Palazzo dei Congressi in EUR. Metro Line B from the Colosseo stop. No race-day number collection. Allow 90 minutes including travel.
Is there free transport to the start?
No dedicated race buses. The start near the Colosseum is on Metro Line B (Colosseo stop). Most central hotels are within walking distance.
How do I get from the airport?
From FCO (Fiumicino): Leonardo Express to Roma Termini, 32 minutes. From Ciampino: COTRAL bus to Anagnina then Metro Line A. The Leonardo Express is the reliable choice from the main airport.
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, at the start area near the Colosseum. Bags reunited in the post-race zone. Use the official marathon bag from your race pack.
Should I bring a throwaway layer?
Yes. March mornings in Rome can be 8 to 10°C in the corrals. Bring a disposable layer to discard at the start; the organisation donates these.
How do I get back to my hotel after finishing?
The finish is central, near the Colosseum. Metro Line B (Colosseo) is the fastest option. Most Centro Storico hotels are walkable. Wait 20 to 30 minutes for the post-race congestion to ease before taking the Metro.