New monthly feature when we'll be joined by Renato from the excellent www.runabroad.com who'll be sharing his wide experience of running in races around the globe. This month we start off with Italy and ask what have the Romans ever done for us runners?
Running in Italy
Running Races in Italy (image from www.freefoto.com)
Sun, great food and some of the finest cities in the world: run a marathon (or a shorter race) in Italy and you will have an excellent running experience and an unforgettable weekend.
From Tuscany to Venice, from the Alps to the lakes, here are some great races around the Belpaese:
Venice Marathon
From Stra (near Padua) to the historical center of Venice, the Venice marathon crosses the Brenta Riviera and Venice lagoon and offers possibly the best finish in the world, just outside St.Mark's Square.
The beautiful and unqiue city of Venice
If you can manage the very long, lonely and often windy bridge from Mestre you will complete the race with 14 bridges over Venice's canals.
Forget the crowded carnival, October is the best time to visit Venice. After the race, treat yourself with a glass of Bellini, the official cocktail of the city.
Find out more visit www.venicemarathon.it
Chianti Ecomarathon, Tuscany
Take an autumn weekend to enjoy trail running, historical towns and a stroll in the worldwide famous Piazza del Campo in Siena.
The Chianti Ecomarathon starts from Castelnuovo Beradenga in the splendid landscape of Tuscany and continues into the Chianti hills and vineyards.
October is a great season to run in Tuscany (10-18°C) and the trail is not too technical and crosses beautiful medieval villages like Monteaperti, Montegiachi and Calcinaia.
A 9 km walk and a 17 km race takes place as well, with the bonus of extra local food and wine.
Find out more visit www.ecomaratonadelchianti.it
Bavisela
Many marathons pretend to be international but for the Bavisela in Trieste the title of European Marathon is well justified.
Just a few miles from the Slovenian border, the city is not far away from Croatia and Austria. The marathon starts in Gradisca, cross Monfalcone, Duino and continues along the Strada Costiera (Coast Road). Run many miles along the seaside before finishing in Trieste.
The runners of the half marathon join the same course in Duino, get ready for May 2010.
Find out more visit www.bavisela.it
Garda Trentino Half Marathon
Enjoy the best of lake Garda, joining the Garda Trentino Half Marathon on the furthest north towns of the lake.
From Riva del Garda to Torbole, past the historical centre of Arco, a few miles along the Sarca river and then you will run down to the lake and back to the finish line.
Forget a PB and enjoy the apple cake, pasta, local wine and live music From Verona to the Dolomiti, the options for a short break in northern Italy are endless.
Find out more visit www.trentinoeventi.it
Stramilano
Drink a caffè ristretto, a cappuccino or a marocchino in one of the literally thousands of bars in Milan - try traditional Marchesi or Cucchi - before running the Stramilano, the main running event in the city of fashion.
The "Stramilano dei 50.000" (a 12K race) offers the unique chance to start in front of the Duomo and is possibly one of the few events where the most popular race is not the competitive (half marathon) race.
The start in front of the Duomo in Milan
All the courses are flat and the half marathon offers a chance for a PB.
Find out more visit www.stramilano.it
Lago Maggiore Half Marathon
A new entry in the Italian circuit of Spring half marathons, the Lago Maggiore Half Marathon clocked the fastest runs for 2009 in Italy.
Not far from Milan, it is a good chance to improve your personal best running from Verbania to Stresa, crossing Ferriolo and Baveno and running mainly on the lakeshore. Enjoy amazing views of the Borromean Islands.
Stunning views across Lake Maggiore
Find out more visit www.lagomaggiorehalfmarathon.com
But for art lovers how can we forget the popular Rome Marathon (www.maratonadiroma.it) in March and the Firenze Marathon (www.firenzemarathon.it) late in November? Book a flight now to run through Fori Imperiali in Rome or admire the masterpiece of Michelangelo in Florence.
Renato will be back in a couple of weeks with more from the Running Tourist. In the meantime check out the excellent www.runabroad.com.
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