Rome-Ostia Half Marathon 2026: Essential Information for Residents and Participants
The 51st Eurospin Rome-Ostia Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2026. This major athletic event will bring significant changes to traffic and public transport in Rome and Ostia. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your day.
Event Details and Participants
The half marathon will kick off between 8:50 AM and 9:30 AM at the EUR district. The event has attracted 13,500 registered runners. The “Villaggio della Roma-Ostia” (Rome-Ostia Village), a 1,000-square-meter area in Piazzale Pier Luigi Nervi, in front of the Palazzo dello Sport, was inaugurated for runners and will remain open until 8:00 PM today, February 28, 2026.
This year’s race features a stellar lineup of international athletes. From Uganda, Mande Bushendich and Maxwell Rotich Kortek will compete. Kenyan participants include James Kipkogei, Peter Tuitoek, Simon Waithira Mwangi, James Mutuku, Gideon Rotich, and Cosmas Boi, who secured second place last year. Italian hopes rest on Ademe Cuneo, Gianluca Ferrato, Giuseppe Gerratana, and Alessandro Giacobazzi. Kenyan Milicent Jelimoper returns after her debut at the Rome Half Marathon in October, facing compatriots Caren Chebet, Catherine Peiyoy, and Janeth Mutungi. Isabella Caposieno, a young Italian athlete, is also highly anticipated after her third-place finish in the previous edition.
Race Route
The race route remains unchanged: it starts at the intersection of Via Cristoforo Colombo and Viale dell’Umanesimo, passing through Via dei Primati Sportivi and Viale dell’Oceano Pacifico, and finishing at the Rotonda di Ostia.
Road Closures and Traffic Diversions
To ensure the safety of all runners, significant road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented:
- From 4:00 AM on Sunday, March 1: The entire race route will be closed to traffic.
- From 8:00 AM on Sunday, March 1: An additional closure will be in effect at Piazzale 25 Marzo 1957, in the direction of Ostia.
- Reopening: Roads are expected to reopen after 4:00 PM.
The Paralympic race is scheduled to start between 8:50 AM and 9:30 AM.
Public Transport Changes
Throughout the duration of the race, bus lines will be diverted. Passengers are advised to check local transport authority websites for specific route changes.
Metromare Service Enhancements
Cotral, the public transport company, has announced intensified service for the Metromare railway line to accommodate the event:
- Additional departures from Colombo Station: 11:40 AM, 1:08 PM, and 2:36 PM.
- Additional departures from Porta San Paolo: 10:56 AM, 12:24 PM, and 1:52 PM.
Furthermore, Cotral will deploy six backup buses at the Colombo interchange to provide additional support and manage potential overcrowding, ready to be deployed if necessary.
Stay Informed
Residents and participants are encouraged to stay updated on any last-minute changes by checking official websites and local news outlets. Planning your travel in advance is highly recommended to avoid delays and ensure a smooth experience on race day.
Source: roma.corriere.it
