Address: Atielle Roma S.r.l. – via Fagare 15, 00195 Roma

Date: March 16, 2008

Hours: 9:00am

Tickets: Free

WWW: http://www.maratonadiroma.it/eng/

Phone: 01829101003

About the Rome Marathon

What better place to run a marathon than the place where Olympic size competitions started? The Rome marathon has a history almost as rich as the city itself and people travel from near and far to join in this annual event.

The course starts at Via dei Fori Imperiali and weaves its way through the ancient city. It is a great way to see the beauty of the city as you jog on by. The course will take you by notable landmarks like the Via Ostiense (University) and the Coliseum among many others until it completes the loop once again at the Imperiali.

The marathon is so anticipated that almost 100,000 come to the Marathon Village and to see the race! Entertainment abounds for all during marathon madness in March. Marathon Village is open the entire week before. Runners can pick up their bib and race packet. Those not participating in the actual running can opt to do the Stracittadina Fun Run 4k or the Roma Walk. There are also many stands, concerts and other forms of entertainment.

The race is run annually in March. This year it is running Sunday, March 16 at 9:00am. Registration fees are 28EUR by November 13, 37EUR by December 15, 47EUR by January 24 and 57EUR by February 23, which is also the deadline. In order to register, applicants must fill out an entry form entirely, pay the fees and also have a sport federation membership that is affiliated with the IAAF or CIP or medical certificate specific to athletes. Registration forms can be downloaded and paid for online or printed and sent by post. The Fun Run immediately follows the marathon, is open to all and is only 6EUR to enter. There is a suggested training program available to all registered run to prepare for the race.

Getting to Rome Marathon

Rome’s metro has two lines which run into Termini station. Line B (Blue Line) is the one to take the marathon. It has a drop off point right near the Coliseum, which makes it very simple to get to the start or finish of the race.

There are also 8 trams that run through mainly historic parts of the city. You can easily catch a tram that stops at the Coliseum as well to avoid the hustle and bustle of the metro station.

Rome Marathon Hotels

Here is a short guide to hotels near the Rome Marathon.

The Quadrifoglio hotels in Rome are the recommended choice by the marathon. They provide additional supplements for all runners, provided they have the proper identification of a marathon race card. The Hotel Il Quadrifoglio is a newly constructed three star hotel. It is extremely elegant and a more relaxing choice as it is situated on the far outskirts of the city rather than in the bustling center. It is also close by the EUR Palasport and Fermi stations for easy access to the rest of Rome. Best of all a single room will only cost 69EUR per night.

Hotel Colosseum is a three star gem that is off to the side on a quiet street yet still right by the Cathedral of St. Mary Major, the Colosseum and Termini station. It has easy access to the race and all of the events that surround it. The price for a standard room is an affordable 97EUR per night.

If you are looking to really up your ante and pamper yourself prior to the marathon, Ambasciatori Palace Hotel is a magnificent 5 star establishment that will suit all of your pre-race needs. It is located in the center of the city, close by the Spanish steps. It is also located mere steps from the Barberini-Fontant di Trevi station which can get you where you need to go in no time. Even if you don’t want to use your subway access, the race travels close by the hotel so you may only need to go as far as the front stoop. Prices for a twin room including breakfast are about 130EUR per night.

Nimming Ned Poke Fun with Folk Punk

A quirky two piece folk outfit comprising of Chris and Tobe, bring their curiously entertaining musical style to Edinburgh Fringe this year. The duos high energy take on folk punk, played with acoustic guitars and fretless bases will be sure to entertain and amuse.

Where:  Laughing Horse and The Pear Tree
When:  August 13th

Visit their website

Lunchtime Concert by South West Camerata Concertante Ensemble

Classical music plays a big part at Edinburgh Fringe this year and the South West Camerata group will be bringing their beautiful arrangements to life with a series of free shows. Their lunchtime concert will feature pieces from Schubert’s two-cello quintet as well as an array of classical chamber music performed by young musicians from Devon and Cornwall.

Visit their website

Where:   St Giles’ Cathedral
When:   August 17th

West End Fair

This outdoor art and craft fair has over 80 exhibitors every day and offers visitors the chance to purchase an array of excellent contemporary work directly from the artists and designers themselves. As well as art, jewellery, fashion, furniture and photography will all be available, making the West End Fair one of Edinburgh Fringe’s liveliest daytime venues.

www.westendfair.co.uk

Where:  St Johns Church
When:  August 7-29th

Six of the Best

Six of the Best is a unique collaborative digital art exhibition featuring six highly accomplished designers; Neil Davies, Mike Giblin, Maryna Halton, Nick Harris, Olly Howe, and Kate Knight will each display nine pieces of original artwork, showcasing their love for contemporary design and ability to merge together a blend of images taken from a range of books, prints and magazines.

http://www.digitaldesignservices.co.uk

Where:  Digital Design Services
When:  August 9th-27th

Reality Vaccine

Surreal psychological illusionist Ian Souch brings his mind bending show to Edinburgh Fringe this year. Aided by Psychiatric nurse, Nikki Campbell, Ian Souch will perform bizarre psychological tricks and experiments on members of the audience as well some unbelievable tricks and magic of the mind.

Visit his website

Where:  Laughing Horse at the Newsroom
When:  August 5th-23rd

Rogues Handbook: Bumper Book of Horror

A bizarre and comical improvised sketch show bordering on the strange and supernatural, the Rogues Handbook returns to Edinburgh Fringe this year to tackle dead policemen, serial killers, disabled poltergeists and movie monsters. Belly laughs and gore aplenty from the group comprised of Paul Gannon, Graeme Casey, Eli Silverman and Adam Lannon.

www.laughinghorsecomedy.co.uk

Where:  Laughing Horse at the Counting House
When:  August 7th-22nd

Metropolitan Cathedral Late Night Voices

A relaxing late night show from the beautiful voices of Emma Turnball, Jessica Leary, Bartek Matuszak and Simon Nieminski, whose talents entwine together stunning arrangements on the piano, organ and harp, including Schumann’s ‘Dichterliebe.’ The beautiful Catriona Price and Esther Swift aka Twelfth Day also perform their elegant blend of traditional Scottish folk music and contemporary jazz.

http://twelfthdaymusic.com

Where:  St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral
When:  August 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th

Sheep Ahoy

In a show ideal for children, cartoonist, poet and stand-up comic Phil Sheppard brings an entertaining one man show to Edinburgh Fringe, packed with humorous stories and wonderful cartoons. A wacky mix of sheep, chickens, dinosaurs, dragons, princesses and superheroes are thrown together in a melting pot of cartoon drawings, jokes and impressions.

Visit his website

Where:  Laughing Horse at the City Café
When:  August 14th-22nd

Set to Stun

A comedy rock opera, Set to Stun brings a massive stadium rock feel to a tiny stage at Edinburgh Fringe, delivered by comedy/mash-up duo ‘Ray Guns Look Real Enough.’ In just one hour of unrelenting energy, the high octane duo manages to fuse together over 70 classic rock songs to an audience with just a single guitar and a tambourine.

Visit their website

Where:  Laughing Horse at the Three Sisters
When:  August 5th-29th

Maxina Todd NVQ

A modern take on the hit musical Sweeney Todd, this updated musical comedy merges together a fresh set of characters and is set in a Fleet Street beauty parlour. Strictly for adults only, this tale depicts Maxina’s lust for revenge and blood and as the demand for puffy pies start to increase, so do the number of people reported missing.

www.flatpackproductions.com

Where:  Laughing Horse at the Counting House
When:  August 5th-18th

Edinburgh accommodation and info

So now you’ve seen our run down of the top free shows at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival, you will no doubt be eager to book some accommodation around Scotland’s capital. In the centre of Edinburgh we recommend the Hilton Caledonian in the cities Haymarket neighbourhood for its luxury and location plus the Frederick House Hotel for its great value and well preserved Georgian features. We also highly recommend the Witchery by the Castle set on The Royal Mile for its unbeatable atmospheric location and décor.

Compare Edinburgh hotels and refer to our Edinburgh guide for more information on the best ways to get around the city.