Tag: race

Rome-Ostia half-marathon

Rome hosts two prominent half-marathons annually: the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon in March and the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon in October. The Rome-Ostia event, celebrated for its 50th edition this year, takes runners from the city to the sea, attracting around 12,000 participants, with increasing numbers of women joining. The course, known for its organization and beautiful finish line, poses challenges such as hills and limited hydration points. Finisher times varied among participants from the author’s group. Despite injury challenges, the race experience was rewarding, emphasizing the event's history connected to Pier Paolo Pasolini's legacy.

Short history of half-marathons

The Roma-Ostia Half-Marathon sparked my curiosity about the race distance's history, which traces its origins back to the marathon, rooted in the legend of Pheidippides. The modern marathon debuted in the 1896 Olympics, with the official distance set at 42,195 meters during the 1908 Olympics. The half-marathon's history is less clear, beginning in the 1960s, gaining popularity after being included in the 1992 World Athletics Road Running Championships. With over 2 million participants in 2019, the half-marathon's appeal continues to grow.

Valencia half-marathon

The Valencia half-marathon this year saw Yomif Kejelcha set a new world record at 57:30 amid perfect running conditions. The event was highly organized, with over 24,000 participants and strong support. While I faced stomach issues and finished in 2:07:47, my colleague Bobo achieved a personal best of 1:42:05.

Cardiff half-marathon

The Cardiff half-marathon, part of the Superhalfs series, surprised the author with its organization and enthusiastic support. Registration sells out quickly, requiring advance planning. The race features a scenic route and significant elevation changes, with the author completing it in under two hours. Cardiff, with its attractions, enhanced the overall experience.

Prague half-marathon

In 2024, Prague hosted a half-marathon with a record 13,500 participants, 57% of whom were foreigners. The race, part of SuperHalfs, faced hot weather at 28°C. Despite the challenging conditions, the writer finished in 2:14. Unfortunately, many participants suffered due to the weather, with 102 falling and 36 requiring hospitalization. The race's organization had some issues, such as long waits for medals and water shortages at the finish line. Despite this, baggage handling was well-organized. Suggestions for improvement included providing bottled water and better managing the finish area. After a hectic schedule, the writer plans to rest before the next half-marathon in Helsinki in May.

Lisbon half-marathon

The Lisbon half-marathon, part of the Superhalfs series, presented challenges for the runners. Organizational issues affected the start, and high temperatures led to numerous injuries and abandoned races. Despite setbacks, the writer completed the race, albeit with personal difficulties. Advice for future runners includes early registration and preparation for the race's unique demands.