Some 80,000 people hit the streets of Rome early yesterday morning to take part in the annual Rome marathon and the associated Rome Fun Run of 4.2 kilometers. A brilliant sun lit the sky, temperatures rose enough to make running comfortable (but not too hot), and a light north wind cleared the air, as 12-15,000 marathon runners set out on their 26 mile trek through the Eterna and tens of thousands more runners took on the Fun Run challenge.
The victor in the men’s marathon was 30-year-old Kenyan, Benjamin Kiptoo Kolum, who crossed the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 17 seconds. The women’s race was was won by Ethiopian Firehiwot Dado, 25 years of age, who managed a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 08 seconds.
While most runners were decked out in the spandex, goretex, and nylon of which today’s cutting edge athletic outfits are made, others chose more traditional Roman garb. As seen in the photograph above, at least one Roman centurion — in this case shunning marching sandals for sneakers — joined the race, proving that the stamina and determination that characeterized the ancient Roman army is still alive and well in the people of Rome. (For the record, a garden gnome was also seen running the race, but we’re fairly sure that the centurion slayed him shortly before he reached the finish line.)
The finish line was on Via dei Fori Imperiali, quite near the Colosseum. By early afternoon, the road was awash with runners trading stories about the race, massaging sore muscles, and gulping electrolyte-replacing liquids. For reasons entirely unclear to everyone in the eCool Compound, city officials enhanced the celebratory atmosphere by providing a stage on which kilt-wearing Scots (or good impersonators of them) danced jigs for a part of the afternoon (see below).
