Starting in the shadow of the coliseum this is flat route that takes in all the world famous sights, closed roads, a relatively small field (17,000 entered, 13500 finishers), reasonably priced, what’s not to love…..except maybe the infamous cobbles (they're not that bad really!)

The interesting stuff.....

This is a fantastic event, passing some world famous landmarks! One of the highlights being crossing the border into the world’s smallest independent state and smack bang into St Peters Square at the Vatican City and in literally touching distance of St Peters Basilica. That is a pretty awesome sight to see!

The route is so varied from graffitied suburbs to wide tree lined highways to narrow cobbled streets opening up on to grand Piazzas. The Rome course has it all, unless you are expecting a hilly technical course.

The less interesting but useful to know stuff....

Registration and payment is a little tricky. You can enter the event and pay but you are not confirmed until you upload a medical certificate from a doctor which requires a comprehensive health check. Alternatively you can upload a copy of UK Athletics card (which is IAAF affiliated) which you get when you join your local UKA running club. I joined a club with the sole purpose of using it for entry to Rome. This gets you the relevant insurance to race in Italy.

When you arrive in Rome you need to get your race number from the Race expo which is located about 8KM from the start. Its an easy metro ride and once you are there registration at the expo was simple and efficient: Show your confirmation letter and some ID, collect your ‘race packet’ and follow the red carpet around the expo to a stand where you collect your goodie bag including a nice technical t-shirt and backpack (you'll see these backpacks all round Rome after). The backpack is the only bag the organisers will accept on the luggage trucks.

i arrived in Rome two days early and although i walked around loads it was great to orientate yourself in the city, making the route more interesting when you picked out the places you now knew.

I stayed at Hotel Villa San Pio about 1.6Km from the start. This is a super reasonable friendly 3* hotel. In very easy walking distance to the Coliseum. its in a quiet suburb so expect to walk / taxi to the main tourist spots.