he start is organized in waves, and each wave is divided into corrals based on the time declared during registration and meticulously checked by the organizers. This allows everyone to start at their own pace.
Access to the corrals for the second and third waves will be allowed ONLY AFTER THE START of the previous wave and at the time indicated on the information sheet.
The final ranking (TDS) is based on the Real Time, meaning the actual time taken from the start line to the finish line, except for elite runners.
Split timing checkpoints will be set at the 5th, 10th, and 15th kilometers.
The maximum race time is set at 3 hours and 30 minutes (9 minutes per km).
Two cutoff points are established:
Athletes who fail to meet these time limits will be asked by officials to stop because beyond those times the course safety, including road closures, cannot be guaranteed.
The race starts as usual from Via Cristoforo Colombo, running against traffic in front of PalaEur, at the height of Viale dell’Umanesimo. However, the direction is no longer towards the sea at Ostia, as it was until the 2010 edition, but inside the Eur district. The streets of Eur are all flat, wide, and have smooth asphalt.
The route crosses the bridge over the scenic Eur Lagoon. After just under one kilometer, the runners turn left onto Viale Europa and, after 1500 meters, cross Viale Tupini.
Shortly before 2 km, they reach Largo Kemal Ataturk, then continue on Viale dell’Umanesimo, Via del Ciclismo, Via della Tecnica, and again Largo Ataturk.
Next, the course runs along Via dei Primati Sportivi, the long Viale dell’Oceano Pacifico until it intersects with Via Cristoforo Colombo, just past the 4 km mark.
Attention: all these turns should not mislead runners; they are wide and allow a steady pace without slowing down.
From this point on, the route heads towards the sea at Ostia along Via Cristoforo Colombo.
There is a slight incline to reach the junction with Via Pontina and then to pass under the Grande Raccordo Anulare bridge, but for the rest, the road flows fast.
One of the most famous and feared points of the course is the “Camping” climb, which starts around the tenth kilometer. The first part of the climb, the steepest, is about 1.5 km long and has a maximum gradient of three degrees. Then for another 1,400 meters, the slope becomes gentler until reaching the Acilia junction, marking the end of the Camping climb.
Once there, runners face the fastest section of the race, where if the legs respond well, the pace sharply increases. There is a refreshing descent for about 2.5 km (up to the 15th kilometer). The descent continues more gently over the last 6 km, interrupted by very slight changes in gradient. You start to smell the sea and can push all the way to the finish, located at Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo, in front of the sea.
After the finish line, runners walk towards the promenade to receive their well-deserved medal. Ahead, there is a photo area and a refreshment zone where they receive a bag containing the coveted windbreaker jacket and final refreshments.
Continuing further, runners find the baggage trucks. Check the number of the truck and the color of the bag (both are written on the bib) for a quick pickup.
About 200 meters ahead is the Cristoforo Colombo stop of the Ostia–Rome Line. Trains run every 15 minutes. The so-called “trenino” (as Romans call it) stops at Roma Ostiense station and Magliana, which is recommended for those who need to return to the start area. From there, you can take Metro Line B, which goes near the starting area.
The return trip on the “trenino” with many other runners is the final experience after the race! But also worth trying is a nice seafood lunch by the sea!
Il viaggio di ritorno sul “trenino” con tanti altri compagni di corsa è l’esperienza finale dopo la gara! Ma un’esperienza da provare è anche un bel pranzo a base di pesce sul mare!
L’anima autentica della RomaOstia continua a emozionare migliaia di runner ogni anno. Con il fascino unico del percorso dal cuore di Roma al mare, resta la mezza maratona più amata dagli amatori e dagli appassionati di ogni livello.