"Run Rome the Marathon" is an iconic event that draws runners from across the globe, and for good reason - the course is a stunning sightseeing tour of Rome's most renowned landmarks, such as the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Roman Forum. That's why, when Carl-Otto Karlengen, the CEO of RunAgain, invited me to participate, I jumped at the opportunity! This would be my fourth marathon, and I was determined to finish in under 4 hours.
I caught the flu/a virus, and due to my asthma it lingered. On the flight to Rome, I began to doubt my ability to achieve my sub-4-hour goal because of my persistent cough.
On race day, I used every legitimate medical treatment available to help my cough, and I was understandably anxious. I was so nervous that I had to stop at a coffee shop to use their restroom. As a result, we arrived late and had to run around the Colosseum to enter the starting area, which was about 2-3 km away. We missed the awesome start that everyone was raving about.
We started the race 12 minutes after the first wave of runners. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the crowds were cheering us on as we ran past. My nervousness disappeared rapidly, and I felt pretty good, though my pulse was a bit high, which may have been due to our poor start.
The course is mainly flat, but the cobblestones make it challenging. However, it was an excellent opportunity to admire the city's beauty while running, and the camaraderie among the runners and the electric atmosphere made it an unforgettable experience.
After a while, I felt strong and kept up a steady pace. The enthusiastic crowd gave me a boost of energy that kept me motivated. However, around the 30 km mark, my legs started to feel the strain. Despite this challenge, I refused to give up and kept pushing myself forward. Around 39 km, the course narrowed and the cobblestone terrain became more difficult. However, the proximity of the cheering crowd spurred me on and I found myself picking up the pace towards the finish line. Crossing that line after 03:53:25 was an incredible feeling of accomplishment.
If you're a marathon runner or aspire to be one, I highly recommend putting Run Rome the Marathon on your bucket list. Not only will you have the opportunity to test your limits and achieve a personal milestone, but you'll also get to explore the historical and breathtakingly beautiful city of Rome.