Rome Marathon (Acea Run Rome The Marathon)

The great marathon of the Eternal City

The Rome Marathon, which has been held under the name Acea Run Rome The Marathon since 2021, is Italy's most important running event and one of the most celebrated on the international calendar. Established in 1995, it draws tens of thousands of runners from around the globe to the capital every March to take on the classic 42.195 km distance in a setting no other city can offer: an open-air museum traversed on foot, amidst Roman ruins, basilicas, Baroque squares, and bridges over the Tiber. The race takes place in the Municipality of Rome, the heart of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region.

The 2026 route: from the Imperial Fora to the Circus Maximus

The 2026 edition, marking its thirty-second year, took place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM from Via dei Fori Imperiali, in the shadow of the Colosseum. The major highlight of the year was the new finish line at the Circus Maximus, replacing the traditional finish at the Imperial Fora. Along the route, runners paraded past some of the most iconic monuments on the planet:

• the Colosseum and the Imperial Fora
• the Pyramid of Cestius and the Ostiense district
• Castel Sant'Angelo and the Basilica of St. Peter's
• the Foro Italico and the Tiber riverbanks
• Piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, and the historic center

A record-breaking international event

The 2026 edition set a historic record of 36,000 registrants for the main race, numbers that place Rome among the ten most participated marathons in the world. Athletes from 166 countries were at the starting line, with over 10,000 women finishing the race, confirming the event's ability to unite international elites and amateur runners. Combining the marathon, relay, and side races, the weekend brought over 120,000 visitors to Rome, providing a significant boost to the city's tourism.

More than just a marathon: the side races

The main event is surrounded by a full program designed for everyone:

• Acea Run4Rome: the charity relay that allows runners to complete the marathon in teams of four, supporting over forty non-profit organizations;
• Acea Water Fun Run: the non-competitive 5 km fun run, open to families, children, and walkers;
• plogging initiatives (running while collecting litter) and moments dedicated to social values, such as the symbolic peace bridge along the route.

The Expo Village at the Circus Maximus

In the days leading up to the race, the Circus Maximus hosts the Expo Village, the beating heart of the event: here, runners pick up their bibs and race packs, while the public can access the area for free to explore sports brand stands, meet champions, and enjoy activities for all ages. In 2026, the Expo was open from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22.

Rome, the capital of running

Running the Rome Marathon means experiencing the Eternal City from a unique perspective, with streets closed to traffic and crowds cheering for the runners along the entire 42-kilometer course. It is an event that combines sport, tourism, and culture, capable of showcasing the capital's artistic heritage to the world through the universal language of running. An experience that, for many runners, remains the dream of a lifetime.