Christmas Day Run Through Rome

If you’re in Rome over the Christmas and New Years’ holidays and want to get in a good run while also being a tourist, then this may be for you.

“Una Tapasciata nella Storia”, (“A Jog Through History”) is a friendly, non-competitive run through the center of Rome that passes many of the Eternal City’s most beautiful landmarks.

It’s the perfect chance to visit a gentler, quieter city when everyone (Romans anyhow) are still asleep and the chaos that usually defines Rome is momentarily suspended.

Runners assemble at Il Biscotto, a popular runner’s park across from the Baths of Caracalla (it gets its name because it’s shaped like a long biscotto cookie) and then head off on a joyful jog, that goes by the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps, Piazza del Popolo, St. Peter’s Square and Piazza Navona. There are a few stops along the way for group photos but other than that it’s a run-at-your-own-pace 12 kms, accompanied by the cheers and holiday wishes of foreign tourists snapping pictures as the group goes by!

The run is the brainchild of local marathon runners Gino Mirabella (2h40’) and Renato Agostoni (2h26’) almost 20 years ago. What began as a low-key run among friends has now grown into an annual Christmas classic that runners who train at the tack by Caracalla or at the Biscotto wouldn’t think of missing. Fortunately, in Italy, presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve after the traditional multi-course dinner, leaving Christmas morning free for the runners in the family to sneak out and do their Christmas morning run.

And, because we’re in Italy, the run ends back at the Biscotto with a traditional Christmas toast of spumante and a table laid with Christmas panettone and other seasonal treats giving runners a chance to wish each other Auguri!

NOTE: For the truly intrepid runners, the run repeats itself on New Year’s Day, but for obvious reasons not as many runners show up.

INFO: Una Tapasciata nella Storia / Christmas Day Run Through Rome

DAY: December 25, 2019 and January 1, 2020

TIME: 9:30 a.m. get-together / 10 a.m. Start

PLACE: Il Biscotto, Via di Valle delle Camene

posted Monday December 23rd
by Carla Van Kampen