
Rome, Italy · Sunday 22 March 2026
The Rome Marathon takes runners through Italy's capital city in March, when spring is arriving and the weather starts to turn mild. The race winds through neighbourhoods both ancient and modern, passing landmarks that span centuries of history. You'll encounter the architecture and atmosphere that define Rome, from quiet residential streets to busier thoroughfares, all while surrounded by the everyday life of the city itself. The course is mostly flat with gentle rolling sections, making it straightforward to navigate without major climbs or steep descents. Elevation stays low, ranging from just 9 metres to 37 metres above sea level, with a total gain of 135 metres across the full 42.2 kilometres. This is the kind of course that rewards steady pacing rather than explosive climbing. You won't face dramatic hills, but the road surface and distance itself will be what demands your respect. The terrain is consistent road running, and the relatively forgiving elevation profile means you can focus on managing the marathon distance rather than worrying about mountains.
Adjusted Time
3:57:32
Time difference: -2.5 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Rome Marathon is a full marathon held in Rome, Italy, scheduled for Sunday 22 March 2026. The course is run on road surface with 135m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 37m above sea level.
With 135m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 9m to 37m above sea level (28m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.
Rome Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.
Our difficulty rating for Rome Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Rome Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Terni, Italy
Castiglione del Lago, Italy
Treviso, Italy
Venezia, Italy
Castiglione del Lago, Italy
Malcesine, Italy