01 March 08
Features
Running Commentary
Rome
At first glance, the marathon in the Eternal City seems a distinct laggard to Paris and London’s. But love sport, love Rome on 16 March.
While the start is epic – 12,000 supporters and runners milling around at the 2,000-yearold Colosseum – the crowds of ancient Rome soon give way to a thin spread of bemused onlookers followed by an eternity of motorways.
Past the flat of the River Tiber, Rome’s narrow, winding streets, complete with cobblestones and impatient shop vendors, knock off runners’ chances of hitting their personal bests.
The elite still pull in extraordinary times. In 2007, Kenya’s Chelimo Kemboi finished in 2:09.36; Algerian Souad Ait Salem 2:25.07. But this doesn’t compare to the world’s best: in 2007, Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie finished in 2:04.26 at the Berlin Marathon, a new men’s world record; in 2003, in London, the UK’s Paula Radcliffe finished in 2:15.25, still the women’s world record.
And no crowds mean no problems when it comes to catching sight of runners. Stay within the ancient city to hit your targets. Start at the Colosseum and the Forum. After an hour, head towards the Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. After another hour, head towards the Pantheon and then back to the Colosseum for the trickle back of runners.
As part of a sport-tastic weekend, Rome also hosts the Italy v Scotland rugby international on the Saturday afternoon before the marathon. On Sunday, it hosts the first official competition for backward runners or ‘retro runners’ – runners doing the marathon route backwards. Claudio Conti from Rimini hopes to beat his record of 5:50.07. And once the stragglers are in from the marathon proper, the soccer kicks off with Roma v AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico.
And if our Kev comes in last and your team loses? Some spiritual succour: this year’s Rome marathon takes place at the start of Holy Week, on Palm Sunday. The Pope will be out and about all week giving special masses, taking part in Holy Week celebrations. Bless.
Support your runner!Checklist
Ten top tips from Tilly Munro, 41, a City of London secretary and veteran marathon spectator:
- When planning your spots to spectate from, use the same map as your runner.
- Make duplicates of maps – the marathon course, the city and local transport.
- Swap MP3 playlists to sync your marathon soundtracks.
- Charge your gizmos the night before.
- Set the timer on your TV recorder.
- Don’t rely on mobiles. The networks may get congested at the finish. As a backup, have a friend on a third landline number waiting to act as a message centre.
- Wear something to make you stand out in any crowd.
- Aim for meetup points away from landmarks and crowds.
- Have cash for a taxi home.
- Cheer everyone
(what goes around,
comes around).
Further info
Rome Marathon 2008: www.maratonadiroma. it/eng/home_en.asp
Paris Marathon 2008: www.parismarathon. com/marathon/2008/ us/index.html
Flora London Marathon 2008: www.londonmarathon. co.uk/site/Pages:
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