Rome, 16 October 2024 – La dolce vita… at full speed. Everything is set for the first edition of the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon, Rome’s very own half marathon, organized by RomaOstia and RCS Sports & Events, taking place this Sunday, October 20th. For the 17,000 runners already signed up, it will be a deep dive into Rome’s history, a journey through its breathtaking beauty and inspiring sights, from cinema to architecture, passing by its most iconic spots and the unique atmosphere of Italy’s Capital. What better way to celebrate this event, starting at Via del Circo Massimo and finishing at Via degli Annibaldi, right in front of the Colosseum!
The week of the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon has kicked off in style! This morning, the official presentation was held at the Sala delle Bandiere in the Campidoglio building, with the city’s top authorities and event organizers in attendance. Listed in both the FIDAL and World Athletics calendars, the race is set to be a major event. The press conference was moderated by Barbara Pedrotti.
Also intervening were Professor Francesco Landi of Policlinico Gemelli in Rome for the Longevity Run and Alessandro Tappa, president of Sport Senza Frontiere.
THE STATEMENTS
Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome
“This is the inaugural edition of Rome’s first Half Marathon, and it is already highly anticipated, with impressive numbers: over 17,000 runners have registered to race amidst the breathtaking artistic heritage of Rome. The racecourse is truly one-of-a-kind, starting at Circo Massimo and finishing on Via degli Annibaldi, just steps from the Colosseum. The strong participation of international athletes, despite being the first edition, fills us with pride for the work we are doing in sports and major events, two key elements in the revitalization of Rome on the global stage”.
Alessandro Onorato, Councilor for Major Events, Sports, Tourism and Fashion of Roma Capitale
“With 17,000 participants registered for the first edition of the Rome Half Marathon, we can confidently say that we’ve won the bet we made months ago. The truly astounding figure is that 66% of the participants – 11,200 enthusiasts – will be joining us from abroad to enjoy a day of sport, running through an open-air museum, starting at Circo Massimo and finishing in front of the Colosseum. We’re particularly excited that 7% of the runners will be coming from the Americas. This major international event will bring valuable economic, tourist, and social benefits to the city, alongside numerous initiatives for local residents, and will create new job opportunities. We are committed to providing everyone with a unique experience, aiming to grow this Half Marathon year after year, which is already one of the most important and sought-after internationally, even in its first ever edition”.
Silvia Salis, Deputy Vice President of CONI
“This type of race, set against the backdrop of Rome, has proved to be incredibly appealing. What encourages us to reflect on this is the strong female presence, which makes up over 40% of the total participants. Running is an experience to be enjoyed and shared, and a half marathon is about challenging oneself in a unique context, far from everyday life, competing alongside athletes from all over the world. Running is an accessible sport for everyone, a perfect way to get back on track, in every sense of the word. Major sporting events foster community and signal a desire for change. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Laura Luchi and her family, as well as RCS, who have always supported Italy’s biggest sporting events”.
Paolo Bellino, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events
“I am extremely happy and excited because the numbers are on our side, proving that our partnership with the City of Rome is working. Even in its first edition, we are already Italy’s most attended half marathon, with a high turnout of international runners, opening up new opportunities and ideas. Additionally, the remarkable percentage of female participants reflects international trends. These factors are changing how we are perceived, especially abroad. These numbers, along with the major side events focused on solidarity, will have a significant impact on the local area and should serve as a starting point for future editions. Moreover, thanks to the agreements we’ve established with international stakeholders, the Half Marathon will be broadcast via the Recast platform, greatly enhancing its visibility. In Italy, our media partners are RDS and Sky, which will not simply broadcast the event live but also cover the behind-the-scenes preparations in the lead-up to race day”.
Laura Duchi, Race Director of Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon
“Bringing Rome to the level of Europe’s greatest cities with a Half Marathon that, in terms of participation and organizational standards, rivals Lisbon, Paris, Valencia, and London – that’s the challenge we envisioned when embarking on this adventure. The numbers speak for themselves and prove us right: even in this first edition, we can already say we’ve achieved significant milestones. With 17,000 registered runners, 11,000 of whom are international, and an impressive female participation (women make up over 40%), we are extremely satisfied and confident that we’re on the right path. There are many more milestones ahead in the coming four years”.
THE ROUTE
A one-of-a-kind course for a one-of-a-kind race. The racecourse, officially measured at the standard half marathon distance of 21.0975 km, was finalized at the end of September and is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the strong positive response from both national and international runners. This exceptional route is set against a backdrop unmatched anywhere else in the world, contributing to the event’s widespread appeal.
From the start, after turning onto Lungotevere Aventino, the runners will head downhill towards Testaccio, continuing south through the Ostiense district until reaching the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Skirting around Schuster Park, the route loops back towards the start area, passing the Pyramid at around kilometer 7.Here, the runners will encounter the most challenging part of the race: the climb on Via di Porta Ardeatina, with the Roman walls to the left. The course continues to Largo delle Terme di Caracalla, followed by a downhill stretch along Viale delle Terme di Caracalla towards Porta Capena. The athletes will then follow the Lungotevere riverbank up to Ponte Umberto I, entering the Prati district, and cross Ponte Regina Margherita, reaching kilometer 15 at Passeggiata di Ripetta. The course then offers a stunning view of Piazza Augusto Imperatore, Via del Corso, Piazza del Popolo, Via del Babuino, Piazza di Spagna with Trinità dei Monti, and Via del Tritone. The route continues through Fontanella Borghese, Via del Clementino, and Via Zanardelli until arriving at Piazza Navona. Afterward, runners will pass Corso Rinascimento and Corso Vittorio, reaching Largo Argentina and Via del Plebiscito, hitting kilometer 20 at Piazza Venezia. The final kilometer allows participants to truly run through history: along Via dei Fori Imperiali to Largo Corrado Ricci, then Via Cavour, and finally, the finish line on Via degli Annibaldi in front of the Colosseum. A spectacular setting never before offered by a major international event, guaranteed to stir emotions in every participant.
THE OFFICIAL BRODCASTER
EDITORIAL COVERAGE + SKY WIFI
Su Sky e in streaming su NOW sarà possibile seguire in diretta la Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon grazie a una copertura dedicata. La telecronaca sarà di Nicola Roggero e Lucilla Andreucci e il canale di riferimento sarà Sky Sport Arena, con studi e aggiornamenti anche su Sky Sport 24. News e approfondimenti anche sul sito skysport.it e sugli account social ufficiali di Sky Sport.
Sky Wifi, la rete ultrabroadband di Sky che garantisce velocità e affidabilità, è Connectivity partner dell’evento.
The Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon will be broadcast live on Sky and streamed on NOW, with dedicated coverage. The commentary will be provided by Nicola Roggero and Lucilla Andreucci, and the event will be aired on Sky Sport Arena, with additional analysis and updates available on Sky Sport 24. Viewers can also access news and in-depth reports on skysport.it and the official Sky Sport social media accounts.
Sky Wifi, Sky’s ultrabroadband network known for its speed and reliability, is the Connectivity Partner of the event.
“We are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to the national cross-country scene. After the Milan Marathon, we will broadcast the Rome Half Marathon 2024 on Sunday, a central event in the calendar, in a unique setting, full of history,” said Marzio Perrelli, Executive Vice President Sport of Sky Italia. “It is a golden moment for Italian athletics, which Sky has been embracing and promoting for years with commitment and enthusiasm in the House of Sport, offering the most prestigious events, such as Diamond League, World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, the great international road races and in addition to the World and European Championships”.
THE VILLAGE
The Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon Village, a hub for runners and event partners, will be hosted at Eataly Roma Ostiense, located in Piazzale 12 Ottobre 1492, the Roman headquarters of Eataly. Get ready for action with these opening hours:
- Thursday, 17th: 3 pm – 7 pm
- Friday, 18th: 9 am – 7 pm
- Saturday, 19th: 9 am – 8 pm
THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE WIZZ AIR ROME HALF MARATHON
The Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon is not just a race, it’s so much more! Alongside the Village, various activities will light up the four days of sports and running in the Capital, making it an unforgettable experience open to everyone.
DOG RUN ARCAPLANET
A fun 1.2-kilometer run/walk inside Giardino Malaspina Park, dedicated to pets and their owners! The event will take place at 11 am on Saturday, October 19th, offering a perfect chance to enjoy some sporty time with your furry friend. Meet-up is at 10:30 am at Giardino Malaspina Park, just 600 meters from the Eataly Roma Ostiense Village. Registrations are open on the event website and at the Village.
RELAY ROME HALF MARATHON
The Relay Race – Open to Teams of Three Runners. Registration for this relay is exclusively through the official Non-Profit Organization Sport Senza Frontiere. This unique race format allows less experienced runners to participate in the event while contributing to a great cause >> https://www.romehalfmarathon.it/relay-marathon/
LONGEVITY RUN
A non-competitive 5K Run organized by the Gemelli IRCCS University Hospital Foundation, led by Francesco Landi. This 5K run – featuring the hospital’s own doctors – aims to raise awareness about the crucial role of sports in maintaining good health and preventing disease for successful longevity. The 5K starts at Viale del Circo Massimo (around 9:30 AM), with a route winding through the Aventino and Ostiense districts. The finish line will be at the Nando Martellini Stadium near the Baths of Caracalla. Registration is open until October 19th!
ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS MANAGERS
A special ranking promoted by the Rome Chamber of Commerce, this event brings together entrepreneurs from various economic sectors, all competing on October 20th in either the half marathon or the Longevity Run, creating a true Business Run showdown.
INTIMISSIMI UOMO UNDERWEAR RUN
Adding even more flair to the event, the Intimissimi Uomo Underwear Run will feature a “wave” of runners in underwear, competing in both the half marathon and the 5K!
