Welcome to RUN LIKE A LOCAL—a series powered by Zalando which brings you the insiders’ take on running in three European metropolises. As we gear up for autumnal marathons and half-marathons in Copenhagen, Berlin, and Rome, we’ll get the best routes, coffee stops, and city hacks from five runners in our network.
This is the third installment, with siblings Leo, Caro and Cate in Rome. You can check out all their favorite routes illustrated below, and you’ll find a full list of their recommended spots on Google Maps here. Enjoy.
It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful backdrop for a run than the Colosseum. For siblings and perfumers Leo, Caro, and Cate, it’s just the usual. That’s why they make sure to mix up their favorite running routes to cover the entirety of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site–aka the Historic Centre of Rome–as well as the city's most luscious and relaxing green spaces. Like: the lush Villa Borghese (what other park run allows you to pop into the onsite gallery, in this case the Gallery Borghese, and take a look at a Caravaggio?). Plus, they recommend a range of recovery options, both cultural and food-related, both of which the city is especially well placed to provide.
Their expertly devised 3k, 5k, and 10k routes cover a whole lot of history. Whether it’s Circo Massimo, originally built for chariot races, the Roman Forum, or the Altare della Patria, they remind us that “you’re practically running through an open-air museum.” The 10k reaps the reward of a finale at the Terrazza del Pincio for a panoramic view over the city.
The best part about running in Rome? A post-run gelato. The siblings recommend Giolitti, but if you freakishly aren’t into that, you can cool down with a wander around Rome’s National Museum of 21st Century Art. Or enjoy the ancient practice of the cold plunge in modern luxury at Six Senses. The siblings’ personal favorite wind-down is to stroll into Villa Celimontana to cool down under the trees: “It’s incredibly central but somehow feels removed from the chaos of Rome.”
And come race weekend, Zalando will be there every step of the way. On Sunday, October 18, the Zalando Cheer Zone will bring an extra burst of energy to the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon by Brooks route, with a live DJ set, customizable signs and encouragement for runners.
The weekend will also celebrate Rome’s distinctive running culture, with Zalando teaming up with Runners of Rome to put style and self-expression at the heart of the experience. From the start at Porta Ardeatina to the finish at the Colosseum, Zalando will be there to celebrate the runners, the city, and everything that makes running in Rome so special.
What’s unique about running in Rome?
You have to get used to the sampietrini, Rome’s iconic cobblestones, but you almost forget about what’s under your feet because there’s so much happening around you. No matter how many times you run the same route, you always seem to discover something new.
How has the city’s running culture changed in the past few years?
Drastically. Running has become much more visible and social, and at the same time the city is slowly creating more pedestrian areas. It’s opening up new ways to run through Rome and experience the city from completely different perspectives. That's why the running community in Rome is really starting to grow. More and more crews are bringing a younger and more social energy to running in the city. RunCore, Souplesse, and Runners of Rome are a few worth knowing.
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Any tracks or music you think suit each route?
Music really depends on the mood, but there’s usually some old-school hip-hop in there. A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?”—good energy, and it just works on a run.
What’s your current running outfit and footwear of choice?
Our running style blends performance with everyday life. The same pieces we run in often become part of what we wear throughout the day. We keep our outfits pretty simple, usually wearing ASICS or HOKA. With shoes, we’ve learned not to follow the hype, something we’ve got wrong many times. Every foot is different, and finding the right fit is much more important. Comfort is what ultimately allows you to keep going for kilometers.
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How do you unwind after a long run?
Eat a lot of pasta—specifically pasta in bianco, with just Parmigiano and olive oil.
Any last Rome shout-outs our audience should hear?
Don’t be afraid to get a little lost. In Rome, taking the wrong turn usually means discovering something you weren’t looking for.
