There are lots of reasons to come to Rome, and one of them is to discover the beautiful city while partaking in the annual half-marathon. There are two big half-marathons in Rome annually. One is called RomaOstia (and you run between Rome and Ostia), while the other competition is the WizzAir Half-Marathon in which you run the half-marathon distance within the city of Rome, giving you a chance to exercise and enjoy the beautiful city of Rome simultaneously.
The WizzAir Rome Half-Marathon was first arranged in 2019, and it has turned into a very popular running competition since then. The price for participation depends on how early you register and how many people have registered before you. As a result, the price of participation varies between €35 and €60.
The start of the race is next to the magnificent Colosseum, so why don’t you imagine yourself running from lions (giving you an extra boost) as you start the race? Do not forget, that you should be able to keep the tempo throughout the entire distance though!
Do you like the sound of running a half-marathon in Rome? Then you should come to participate in the half-marathon which is better known as RomaOstia half-marathon. Why did it get that name? You start the half-marathon in the city of Rome and end up on the seaside in the popular city of Ostia, the closest location for those who want to visit the actual sea while in Rome.
Some might say that it is too early to swim in the sea in March, but if you want to cool down after the half-marathon, then you will not be far from the sea as you cross the finish line after running approximately 21 kilometers.
The half-marathon is a very popular distance, making it actually even more popular than the big marathon which normally is held one week after the half-marathon.
The price of participation is about 40 euros, and that is a very good price as you get to run in the city center of Rome before you run along one of the main roads towards Ostia. If you are among the earliest people to register for the event, you might be able to register at an even lower price. You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the event.
You should register as early as possible because the number of participants is limited.
RomaOstia 2025 (half-marathon)
Date: March 2, 2025
Since the race ends in Ostia, you might wonder how you can travel back to Rome afterward. It is possible to run back to Rome, but an easier way is to use the shuttle buses that operate at a cost of 12 euros per person. How can you pay for that since you don’t bring money along as you run the marathon? You can pay for the shuttle bus upon registration, which means it is already included and a part of your package.
The time limit for the full race is 3 hours and 30 minutes. Be aware that the deadline for registrations is 2 weeks before the actual half-marathon.
Would you like to read about other events and happenings in Rome? Look at our Rome calendar.
Come to the eternal city to run a marathon. Luckily, you don’t have to run forever, because you are supposed to finish the marathon within 5 hours, but it will be one of the most memorable marathons you will ever run as you run next to famous attractions such as the Colosseum, Saint Peters Basilica, Forum, and other fantastic attractions in Rome.
The first marathon was arranged in Rome in 1982. Since then, it has become an annual event and a highlight for marathon lovers worldwide. Even though it isn’t as famous as the London Marathon, it still beats all other marathons if you are a history lover and dream of running surrounded by ruins thousands of years old, and imagine the gladiators fighting in Colosseum or horse competitions in Circus Maximus while running.
There is a fun run available for those who only want to run 5km and not the full marathon distance.
There are some marathons in Europe where it is very hard to register. In Dublin, you must buy lottery tickets, and if you are among the lucky people, you will win a place in the marathon (you still have to pay). Rome is much easier, and the only requirement is to register one week before the event. They have also set aside more time for the event in Rome, and they give support to those who don’t want to run, but want to do a quick walk along the marathon route. As a result, you actually have as much as 6 hours and 30 minutes to finish the route which is a quite convenient solution.
Rome Marathon 2025
Date: March 16, 2025
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the city of Rome. And as we mentioned above, it is ideal to make this your first marathon, because if you get tired, you can just walk instead, and you should still be able to finish the race within the time limit.
Where should I book my accommodation in Rome?
It is very convenient to live in the city center of Rome if you want to explore the city and run the marathon. Look at the map below to see lots of central apartments and hotels with price estimations. This will help you find an apartment or a hotel that perfectly fits you.
Do not forget that thousands of people travel to Rome for the marathon, so it is always wise to book your hotel early.
Which attractions will I see along the way?
There might be changes to the route, but in general, you will see attractions all the time (considering that Rome in itself is an attraction). But, since we know that you want more exact information, here are some of the attractions you will see as you run or walk Rome marathon.
St. Peter’s Basilica.
Castel Sant’ Angelo
Spanish Stairs
Circo Massimo
Basilica di Sao Paolo
Terme di Caracalla
Auditorium Parco Della Musica
Ponte Milvio
Isola Tiberina
and many others…
Will it get extremely hot during the marathon?
It isn’t a coincidence that the marathon in Rome is arranged early in the spring. During this time of the year it might get hot, but not extremely hot. As a result, you should be prepared for temperatures anywhere between 5 and 20 Celsius.
There are several stops where you can get something to drink along the way, so everything is set in place so that you can have a wonderful trip to Rome.
Are there any other things happening in Rome at this time of the year?
Rome has lots of permanent programs available every single day of the year. But, there are also temporary exhibitions, concerts, festivals, markets, and other programs in the city. We try to write about as many as possible in our Rome Guide, so use the menu to find information about attractions, activities, transportation, and other important topics.
How much time is needed to prepare for a marathon?
Maybe you are reading this and now you think this might be something for you. Is Rome marathon for you? If you have experience, then you probably know the answer. Have you been able to run 20km before? If you practice for some weeks and months, and also add the information that you have more time to finish the race than in a normal marathon, this is probably one of the easiest marathons to finish on time. Maybe you are unable to run the full distance, but if you combine running and walking, it should still be fine.
If you want to run the full distance, you should consult with a trainer and someone with experience, and together, find out whether this is something for you or not, and how much time is needed to prepare decently.
Are there other running competitions for those who don’t want to run a full marathon?
Many popular marathon competitions in Europe come with additional competitions besides the full marathon. Unfortunately, the Rome marathon is only for those who want to finish the full marathon distance, so there are no other distances such as a half-marathon, 10k, or children’s competitions. But, if you feel like participating in such competitions, look in our Rome calendar to find out more about other running competitions in Rome at other times of the year.
