Care for Running (formerly Marconi Running)

A neighborhood race turned city-wide event

Care for Running is the running and sports event that brings the Marconi district in Rome's Municipio XI to life every autumn. Born in 2024 as Marconi Running through the initiative of local merchants, the race was renamed in 2026 to highlight its core mission: self-care, prevention, and physical and mental well-being. It is a non-profit, grassroots event that has successfully bridged the gap between the Roman running community and the vibrant social and commercial fabric of this popular district.

Parco Schuster, the green heart of the event

Since 2026, the event's headquarters has been Parco Schuster, the expansive green space located in front of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, just a stone's throw from the Tiber. This is the hub for the meeting point, race starts, awards ceremonies, and the exhibition village. The choice is no coincidence: the park offers flat surfaces, shade, and pedestrian-friendly paths that accommodate families, children, and casual walkers alongside competitive athletes. Previous editions took place along the Lungotevere Vittorio Gassman and Lungotevere di Pietra Papa, on a flat loop of just over three kilometers repeated three times.

The Races

The sports program features three options designed for different levels:

• 10 km competitive race, reserved for athletes aged 16 and over who are registered with FIDAL, OPES, or hold a Runcard or a recognized sports promotion body card;
• 10 km non-competitive race, open to anyone wanting to test themselves over the distance without the pressure of a stopwatch;
• 2 km wellness walk, a recreational and accessible activity designed for families, groups, and people new to physical activity.

The course is fully chip-timed, with medical assistance provided by an ambulance and a sports medicine tent, a refreshment station at the five-kilometer mark, and a photo service included in the entry fee.

The Health Village

The true uniqueness of Care for Running lies in the day preceding the races. On Saturday, Parco Schuster hosts the Health Village, a space dedicated to prevention where associations, healthcare professionals, and third-sector organizations offer free screenings, consultations, and awareness activities for citizens of all ages. The initiative aligns with the International Day of Health and Well-being, transforming a sporting event into an opportunity for widespread, free health education accessible to the entire neighborhood.

A charitable event

The event's charitable spirit has been present since its first edition. Registration fees, kept intentionally low, partially fund social projects: in the Marconi Running editions, proceeds were donated to the Podistica Solidarietà association, while the 2026 edition allocates a portion to ANCoS APS and the Arvalia Civil Protection, who also secure the course alongside volunteers. Organized by ASD Marconi Running & Sports with the Rete Centro Arvalia, and with technical support from ASD Bravetta Runners and Racechronoservice, the event is supported by the Municipio XI of Rome.

Who is it for?

Care for Running is not just for specialists. It is a neighborhood gathering that brings together trained runners, weekend walkers, families with strollers, school groups, and curious locals drawn by the village. Visitors to Rome in October will find an authentic, alternative way to experience the city: away from the tourist circuits of the historic center, and into the daily life of a neighborhood reclaiming its streets and park for a weekend.