Rome Marathon 2027: a runner's guide to the weekend

The organisers have confirmed Sunday 14 March 2027 for the marathon, with the 5K Fun Run on Saturday 13 March. The start is on Via dei Fori Imperiali, with the Colosseum behind you. In 2026 the finish was inside Circo Massimo, after a last stretch past the Vittoriano and the Bocca della Verità; check the official site for the 2027 finish and start times. In 2026 wheelchair athletes started at 8:00 and the waves of runners between 8:10 and 9:00.

Entries go fast: the 2026 race sold out four months in advance, with three quarters of the field coming from abroad. If you are thinking about it, register early on the official site, runromethemarathon.com.

The Expo Village is at Circo Massimo. In 2026 it opened from Thursday to Saturday for bib pick-up (9:00 to 20:00 on Thursday and Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 on Saturday), and on race day it was open to visitors but not for bibs. Plan to collect yours on Thursday or Friday and keep Saturday for rest and a short shake-out run. The 2027 hours are published by the organisers before the race.

On race morning roads in the centre close early, so plan to walk or use the metro. Our Colosseo apartment, in Monti, is a ten-minute walk from the Colosseum and the start area, which makes it the easiest of our homes for race day: no taxis, no transfers, just a warm-up walk downhill. It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms for up to six, handy for a group of runners sharing one place.

From our Pantheon, Piazza di Spagna and Fontana di Trevi apartments the start is a longer walk through the centre, and quieter than any shuttle. After the finish, Circo Massimo has its own metro B station; Cavour, three minutes from our Colosseo apartment, is two stops away.

Rome is the easiest city in the world to eat pasta the night before. Keep it simple: cacio e pepe or a tomato-based sauce rather than the richest carbonara, and dinner early, by 19:30. Near our Spanish Steps and Trevi apartments, Trattoria Al Moro in Vicolo delle Bollette and Sora Lucia on Via Rasella are classic Roman trattorie, both trading in 2026; book for the Saturday night, which is busy across the city on marathon weekend.

If you prefer to control everything, cook at home: all our apartments have a kitchen, and Piazza di Spagna and Colosseo also have a dishwasher. Buy your race-morning breakfast on Saturday, because few places open early on Sunday.

Walk slowly, eat something salty, and resist the temptation to sightsee on Sunday afternoon. A bath helps tired legs: our Piazza di Spagna apartment has one. On Monday, a gentle walk in Villa Borghese or along the Tiber loosens the muscles better than a day in the Vatican Museums. Our Pantheon apartment also has a small fitness corner with a treadmill and a bench, useful for stretching.

Stairs are worth a thought after 42 kilometres: Pantheon is on the fourth floor with no lift, while Colosseo, Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi and Vaticano all have a lift.

Mid-March is a busy time in Rome, and marathon weekend more so. When you book directly with us, a 30% deposit confirms the stay and cancellation is free up to 14 days before arrival, so you can reserve as soon as you have your entry. Check-out is at 10:00; if you are flying home on Monday and need to leave bags, ask us on WhatsApp the day before.