Sunday, March 11, 2007

Shaping Up For Rome...

Finally got my confirmation letter via email today. My bib number is 2400. Phew. (I had been emailing to them about the bib and there was no reply.) Also went to the website for some updates on the event and read about the big changes that they made for this year's race.

Anyway, the racecourse for the XIII Maratona della Città di Roma has been officialised and defined as the world's most captivating. There are two new updates for this year's runners at Italy's most participated marathon on March 18. Following the traditional start from via dei Fori Imperiali and passage through via del Teatro Marcello, the race will continue towards the Aventine and via Ostiense, the less interesting part of the race that for years has represented the final push for marathoners. Therefore, this year this section will be run first to then delve into the heart of Rome, Prati, St. Peter's, Piazza Cavour and Lungotevere (the riverfront). The final stages of the race will wind through historic downtown with the last 10 kilometres completely immersed in the beauty of the eternal city. The finish area will remain the same at via dei Fori Imperiali, in the shadows of the Coliseum. The organisers claimed that this changes will make the racecourse much faster and exciting. It will also include another 2 changes: passage in front of the restored Ara Pacis, just like a few years' ago, and passage in front of the Gazometro. The maximum time to complete the race is 7 hours and 30 minutes - which is 30 minutes off the original cut-off time of 8 hours but I should handle this with ease. I am aiming to complete this marathon within 6 hours since I have been training religiously since middle of Jan 2007. :p

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

hello ripley,

how was rome?
tell me (us) more leh...
post pics also?
must be a really good experience. needless to mention the v nice buildings!

:)

Ripley Runs said...

yes... yes... i will... took almost 780 photos in all but not all "show-able"... i shall aim to do it this coming weekend...