Summer hasjust begun and we are trying to run even with the crazy hot and humid conditions of recent times, and fall and cooler days seem like a distant mirage. The reality of the facts, however, is that autumn comes quickly, and with it begins the season of medium- and long-distance road races. There are some that I have been eyeing for ages and would really like to run (or re-run), more than for the timekeeping, which I now gladly do without (unless it is the Marathon, for which I always set a goal), for the route and the scenery that can be seen by running them. I have quite a big list, but I think it is possible to start with five Italians:
San Marino Marathon and Relay – Sept. 4
First race on the list and already a lie, it is not … Italian! If the heat and the distance don’t scare you, on September 4 you run at the Marathon of the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, which runs through the hills of the small country on the border between Emilia Romagna and Marche and which, in addition to the full distance, also allows running the relay, for those who do not have on their legs or in their heads the forty-two thousand one hundred and ninety-five meters. It is a very scenic race, you touch so many spots that UNESCO has put on its heritage list, and it is said-but I can’t vouch for this eh-that the Romagna influence is felt especially in the post-race, where piadina and ice cream would be a must!
Lake Maggiore Ultra Trail – October 1/2
Second race and. second lie! I know, I had written road races, but every time I saw the UTLM reports on the
RunLovers Club
(you signed up, yes?) I thought I’d like to participate at some point. That I’m a total sucker off asphalt (not that I’m a champion on bitumen) matters little; I’d like to run on Lake Maggiore mostly to enjoy the scenery. There are four distances, from 18 through 37, 52 and up to 81 kilometers (I, for one, would opt for 18!) which obviously depend on the degree of preparation and competence.
One should not improvise in any race
, and in trails less than ever.
Alghero Half Marathon and the Ten Thousand – Oct. 2
As the name implies, it involves the two distances of the Half Marathon and the 10,000 meters. This is one of my home races, I have run several editions of it, including as a pacer for the Half Marathon, and I can only speak highly of it. The route runs along the Alghero waterfront, starting from the central square and moving along the sea toward Fertilia, where near the city boundary it turns back toward the city. The Half Marathon continues on the route over the old rampart wall and then turns back, while the Ten Thousand ends at the starting point.
Bonus: in addition to the refreshments (always plentiful) in the finish plaza there are several ice cream parlors and you are spoiled for choice!
Pisa Half Marathon and Family Run 10k – Oct. 9
The Half Marathon distance (now in its 16th edition) will be run in Pisa this year to take home the Italian title over the distance, combined as always with the non-competitive 10k. If you are not among those who would like to participate to try to win the title, then you could do so to enjoy one of the most iconic Italian cities in the world, passing through the streets of the historic center of the Tuscan city and arriving at the sea, then turning back to touch on some famous spots along the stretch of the Arno River that bathes Pisa and crossing the finish line in Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the shadow of the Leaning Tower. There is also another reason to run this race, and that is that all proceeds are donated to charities.
The Running of the Saints – November 1
The Race of the Saints is a historic ten-kilometer race run on All Saints’ Day in Rome. It has always fascinated me because, in addition to being participatory and very heartfelt, it runs all through the historic center of the Capital, and that alone seems like a very good reason to put it on the list of races to do. The Race of the Saints, then, also funds charitable projects, especially for children and adolescents, with the proceeds of registration, helping to increase the score on the preference list for this race.
Well, some cues to find some motivation and plan a goal maybe I’ve been able to give you, so to work, that summer has just started but it goes by fast, and you need to arrive prepared for the fall races,
whichever one you choose to run
!
(Main image credits: Delkoo on DepositPhotos.com)