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☰
Roma (Rome) Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Roma (Rome) Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 138 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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John Shega from Ohio, USA
(4/11/2004)
"Exceptional first-time marathon" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This being my first marathon I was not sure what to expect, but the pre-race information on the website was very helpful. The first-time marathon excitement and knowing the awesome scenery I would be running by (my first time in Rome and also my first full-day there) carried me well past the halfway point. Starting at the Coliseum, then to the Vatican, along the Tiber, the Piazzas with cheering supporters (a few anyway - the 4-hour 30-min pace runners whooped it up and got the bystanders cheering), what an experience! I had my family set up at the Trevi Fountain (about mile 20) for another boost. Shortly after that the course turned rather boring, making me concentrate more on the running and the blisters I was developing. But at this point it was just a matter of a few more miles separating me from completing my first marathon and I just kept going. I found water/Gatorade stations to be well-stocked and sponge stations refreshing. An absolutley spectacular day helped burn this as a lifelong memory for me and my family. I would not hesitate to run this again and would encourage a first-timer to take advantage of the mostly flat course and breathtaking scenery that almost make you forget the length of the run. | |
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K. S. from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
(4/10/2004)
"What an experience!" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Roma (Rome) Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 After seeing the way Italians drive in Rome, I was worried about negotiating the streets during the marathon, but that must have been taper madness at work! Organization was wonderful and I received e-mail answers in English to my questions before the marathon. Packet pick-up was very smooth and everybody received a really nice backpack with the marathon logo embroidered on it. It was surprising how many participants I saw later in Venice and Florence with the backpacks. The course began and ended at the Coliseum and ran past St. Peters Square, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountan, Piazza Navona, the Forum, Circus Maximus... well, you get the idea. Water, Gatorade, oranges, bananas were plentiful and the volunteers were encouraging. Spectators were plentiful, especially at St. Peters. Cobblestones are a unique experience and the out and back the last 15 km was challenging. The finisher's medal, a replica of an ancient Roman coin, is beautiful and it is inscribed 'the will and faith are the wings of our life'. At least that is my translation! | |
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J. C. from NYC, NY
(4/7/2004)
"A great race!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Roma (Rome) Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 9th marathon, and it was wonderful. The race was organized so well, the Italians outdid themselves. The expo was small but easy to get through. (Just take a taxi there, it cost about $20.00.) The course was beautiful but the cobblestones were unforgiving - but who cares, you're in Italy! The crowd was weak, and would only cheer for you if you asked them to. And when you asked them to, boy they were good. There were no hills except for the one at the finish line, so the course was pretty flat. Not sure how that happened, being that Rome was built on 7 hills and you run them all. The water stations had Gatorade and flat water; sometimes cups were hard to find, but who cares, you're in Italy. Just do it and enjoy yourself; afterall, you're in Italy!! | |
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Scott Martin from Belfast, Northern Ireland
(4/5/2004)
"Excellent Marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Roma (Rome) Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The 10th Rome marathon was my first and it was a truly unforgettable experience. Despite some negative previous opinions on this website, I was pleasantly surprised - the organization was first-class (registration within 60 seconds of arriving at the Olympic Village - plenty of Gatorade, some food from km 20, and all this with record race numbers of nearly 10,000 for the marathon and over 30,000 for the Fun Run). The course is stunning and remarkably flat considering Rome's famous 7 hills - I can only remember 3 small hills, although the last small one behind the Coliseum took its toll on some of the field! Best of all, the course gets very interesting from 28k to approx 35k around the 'wall' - the final out-and-back loop is tough, but then what do you expect after a marathon? The fans are not as vociferous as you might have hoped for, but were very supportive. All in all, I would recommned this course to anyone. | |
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d. c. from Houston Texas
(4/5/2004)
"Awesome" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Roma (Rome) Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Still trying to figure out why the field was less than 10,000 runners?? Rome being the tourist destination that it is has me wondering why 20,000-30,000 don't show up. Ran Paris in 2002 with 25,000 others and if I had to choose between the two, Rome wins. Running through the streets of Rome was an awesome experience with good organization and support. Water and sponge stops were as advertised, although some needed a bit more room for runners to pass. Several areas could be improved: 9:20 start time is way too late, probably take a Papal decree to change this. Marathon Village location needs to be closer to Central Rome if possible and improved. | |
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Lindsey C. from Chicago, Illinois
(4/5/2004)
"Unforgettable Experience... A 'Run' to Remember!!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon... I was very worried about it being my first and in a foriegn country; but I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The race was unforgettable; a running tour of Rome and its sights. The weather was perfect, the stations all had flat water & gatorade- had NO problem at any stations throughout race, they also had apples, oranges,at food stations- again, had NO problems (always had enough), the sponge stations were great, but as I got past the half way mark of the race the sponges ran out. I was feeling like the security was lacking a little as you got further into the race (towards the end), but it was still enjoyable. I can't say enough about this marathon. The cobblestone is a bit of a pain, but you can work through it - if you are looking to improve on your race time, this may slow you down a bit. The finisher's medal is beautiful - we also got nice backpacks and a shirt! We stayed on after the race for a week to tour the city and had a wonderful time! It was a once in a life time experience!! I hope to come back and run it again someday. | |
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S. B. from Geneva, Switzerland
(4/1/2004)
"Unforgettable event" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Roma (Rome) Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Thank you very much for your great organization - it was just an unforgettable race! | |
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Dade Dowdle from Brandon, Mississippi
(11/25/2003)
"Wish I could do it every year..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'd give the course a 5 but for the last few miles' out-and-back loop. That's no fun. No hills to speak of... Water/aid stations were plentiful, but I wasn't quite prepared for the fizzy water. The spectators were incredible. You can't beat the finish after that hell of a last few miles (the aforementioned out-and-back)- turning the corner, seeing the Colosseum, running around it - breathtaking. Too bad I can't afford airfare to Rome every spring... | |
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M. N. from Málaga, España
(7/21/2003)
"History, yes, but not much more." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Rome: an amazing, wonderful, spectacular place. Sadly, it did not feel safe. Constant sirens going off, and sinister gangs drinking in the streets. Chaotic and dirty. Such a shame. The run is fascinating until the last few miles, which are a tedious and frustrating out-and-back loop. Go to Rome, yes, run this, yes, but don't go back thirteen years later (as I did) and expect it to be the same! | |
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S. S. from San Francisco Bay Area
(6/4/2003)
"Wonderful - Worth the trip!!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course started at the Coliseum and went through the historic parts of town. Absolutely beautiful and gorgeous. The weather was great - not too hot and not too cold. The only bad part about this marathon was that the water they served was way too salty. Even running on the cobblestones was not bad - I really enjoyed it. |
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