Rome, September 23, 2025 – Rome is a city of the world –and its official Half Marathon proves it. Less than a month before its second edition, taking place on Sunday, October 19, the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon confirms its status as an increasingly international event: 75% of participants (no fewer than 15,302 runners) come from abroad, proving both the global appeal of Rome and the strong appreciation this event has earned within the running community. France remains the country with the highest number of registrations, followed by Spain and the United Kingdom, which together (7,000 runners) make up 34% of all participants.
With registrations still open, over 20,000 runners have already purchased their entry, a 35.5% increase compared to the same date in 2024. The field is getting younger: more than 53% are between 18 and 34 years old. Women are also on the rise, representing 45% of the total (9,175 athletes), compared to 42% in 2024. Registrations will remain open until October 6.
The presentation of the new edition of the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon, organized by Roma Ostia and RCS Sports & Events, took place today at the Campidoglio, in the presence of the Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion, Alessandro Onorato, RCS Sports & Events CEO Paolo Bellino, and Rome Half Marathon Race Director Laura Duchi.
Moderator Barbara Pedrotti then introduced Viktorija Stojanovska, Wizz Air Brand Manager, Giulia Sarti, Marketing & Communication Manager of Huawei Italy, and Lorenzo Tagliavanti, President of the Camera di Commercio di Roma.
The Route
The distance is the standard 21.097 kilometers; the 2025 Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon route will, as in previous years, pass through the historic center of the city. The race starts on Via del Circo Massimo – at the Roseto – and finishes on Via degli Annibaldi with a stunning view of the Colosseo, offering a finish line that will thrill all participants, worthy of a major international event in the Jubilee celebration year, which will be commemorated on the official half marathon shirt, designed for the second consecutive year by adidas.
A unique course in the world, allowing runners to race past breathtaking views and some of Rome’s most beautiful landmarks: Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia with views over the Fori Romani.
Side events
Longevity Run
In addition to the half marathon, there will be the Longevity Run, a non-competitive 5 km run/walk open to everyone, organized in collaboration with the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS. The event is designed to raise awareness of the importance of basic physical activity for maintaining good health. It will take place on Saturday morning, October 18, at 8:30 AM, starting from the Terme di Caracalla and finishing at the Stadio Martellini, where the Longevity Village will also be open from Friday.
A two-day event focused on movement and cardiovascular prevention, offering free check-ups to monitor key risk factors, with an exciting new feature this year.
Dog Run Arcaplanet
Also on Saturday, the Dog Run Arcaplanet will take place, a roughly 2 km run with your four-legged friends, celebrating the joy of spending time with your pets while staying active. The race starts at 10:00 AM from the Colosseo. More information and details at https://www.romehalfmarathon.it/dog-run/
Baby Run
In the afternoon, around 3:00 PM at the Stadio Martellini, the little ones will take part in their own race on a real athletics track.
Registrations for children aged 2 and above at https://www.romehalfmarathon.it/baby-run/
Business Run – Italian Half Marathon Entrepreneurs Championship
On Sunday, the half marathon will also feature the Business Run, where many entrepreneurs will compete. The Rome Half Marathon will host the Italian Half Marathon Entrepreneurs Championship, an event created by the President of the Camera di Commercio di Roma, Lorenzo Tagliavanti, and successfully tested in past editions of the RomaOstia Half Marathon. Registered entrepreneurs from different economic sectors will be ranked in a special classification, awarding the title of Italian Champion of Entrepreneurs in the various categories, both male and female.
The 4th edition of the “Roma conCorre per la legalità” Trophy is also planned. This “race within a race” aims to spread, through sport, a message about the civil and educational value of economic legality, social solidarity, and environmental sustainability. Participants will include athletes from the Gruppo Polisportivo Fiamme Gialle, national and international athletics, as well as students from the training institutes of the Guardia di Finanza.
The Village
Once again this year, the organizers have chosen Eataly Roma Ostiense, in Piazzale 12 Ottobre 1492, to host the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon Village. The area adjacent to Eataly’s Rome location will serve as the central hub of the sporting event, open from Thursday to Saturday. Numerous events and activities will take place in a dedicated space for all partners, creating four days of sport and running in the Capital.
Preparation for the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon has also actively involved the adidas Runners communities of Milan and Rome, with a calendar of events designed for those who want to best tackle the upcoming 21 km. adidas will also be present in the Village with The Running Lab, a space where all runners can try out the latest technologies in running shoes.
Today’s Statements
Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of Rome Capital
“With over 20,000 registered participants – 35% more than at the same time last year – and 15,000 international runners, we can already say that, three weeks before the race, the second edition of the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon is a success. In 2024, we took a chance by creating this event, confident in the enormous potential of pairing Rome with a single official Half Marathon. The data proves us right: the event is already on par with the world’s most important half marathons, and I am confident it will continue to grow. We are betting on it heavily because it is a major sporting event that generates significant economic, tourist, and social impact, with participants and their families using the city’s services for several days and creating moments of healthy and positive social interaction. It will be a popular celebration for competitive athletes and enthusiasts alike. I would also like to thank the Policlinico Gemelli, which, thanks to the free check-ups at the Village, will raise awareness about the importance of prevention and healthy lifestyles.”
Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sports & Events
“In recent years, we have been driven by a strong energy that has pushed us to constantly improve. The organization has found a winning formula capable of generating great results: we have already surpassed last year’s number of registrations and we now record over 46% women, an extraordinary figure considering that in the 1990s the percentage was significantly lower. Today we are moving concretely towards equality, which is a milestone of great value. The very high proportion of international participants is due to a unique destination like Rome. The profile of participants is also changing: while the main target used to be between 35 and 50 years old, the race has now spread among younger runners who choose to participate in a healthy and eco-friendly way. Our event is a unique experience: running in Rome in the morning, on roads closed to traffic, is a privilege that only major events can offer. And Rome has proven itself worthy: it did so with the Grand Arrival of the Giro d’Italia and continues to grow in its ability to host international events, engaging the city and the territory in a collective embrace. Our goal is clear: to exceed 30,000 registrations as early as next year and fully enter the club of Europe’s major half marathons. Rome deserves it: it is a unique setting, able to give participants a medal that represents an unforgettable experience.”
Laura Duchi, Race Director of Rome Half Marathon
“This is a winning bet: in the past there had been attempts that didn’t take off, but today the half marathon shows its full strength. It’s a distance accessible to everyone, with manageable training, and the numbers confirm it. In Italy, we don’t have events like this with so many participants, especially in the 18–23 age group: a target we really like and that represents the future of running. This year the course has improved: there are no more Jubilee construction sites, and runners will be able to pass through iconic locations all the way to Via degli Annibaldi, with the most stunning finish imaginable. The terrace in front of the Colosseum is our calling card: seeing the monument on the final straight, especially for first-time participants, is an extraordinary experience. The half marathon is a major international event, but also an opportunity for the city: with mobile training sessions in the parks and the contribution of Policlinico Gemelli, we have brought the theme of health alongside sport, making this event truly unique.”
Viktorija Stojanovska, Brand Manager of Wizz Air
“Rome plays a significant role in Wizz Air’s network, and the Rome Half Marathon is the perfect opportunity to renew our enduring commitment to the city and its international sports community. We are proud to support, for the second consecutive year, an event that attracts over 20,000 runners, 75% of whom come from abroad, turning the Eternal City into an international sports capital. The 21-kilometer race through the heart of Rome is also a very special milestone for us: our 21st anniversary, and the city is the ideal place to continue celebrating our history and growth. This partnership embodies our vision of making travel and lifestyles healthier, more active, and more accessible, and we proudly share these values with all runners, embracing their determination, resilience, and spirit of discovery. Let’s WIZZ, Rome!”
Giulia Sarti, Senior Marketing & Communication Manager Huawei Italy
“We are proud to support the Rome Half Marathon, an event that celebrates passion for performance and surpassing personal limits – values that have always guided Huawei. Our wearable technology accompanies athletes at every stage of their journey, from training to race day, while the running community represents the heart of our commitment. This commitment takes shape through the global Active Rings campaign, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and see us supporting major sporting events worldwide, from the Rome Half Marathon to many other international competitions. This year, we are especially proud to bring a legend like Sir Mo Farah to Rome, to inspire our runners and strengthen the deep connection we share with this sport.”
Lorenzo Tagliavanti, President of the Camera di Commercio di Roma
“The success of this initiative rests on three fundamental elements. The first is the passion for running, which continues to inspire more and more people and represents a new way of approaching life and one’s relationship with oneself. The second is Rome, a magnificent city where running without cars is a unique privilege, both for locals and visitors. The third is October: the extraordinary Roman “ottobrate,” with the colors and light of this period, offer a setting that few other cities in the world can boast, an added value that makes this half marathon truly special. It is no coincidence that we believe it will enter the top five European half marathons as early as next year: the growth data confirms this. With the Guardia di Finanza by our side, we share two passions – sport and business – and together we have carried out numerous initiatives promoting legality and respect for rules. At the Italian Half Marathon Entrepreneurs Championship, many members of the Guardia di Finanza will run, as well as hundreds of entrepreneurs: it will be a grand celebration of sport, the city, and its community.”
