Annual event begins and ends at Baths of Caracalla

The 15th edition of Rome’s Komen Italia Race for the Cure takes place on the streets of the capital on Sunday 18 May to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.

The annual event is divided into three categories: a non-competitive 5-km or 2-km run; a 2-km walk; and a competitive 5-km race. Last year it attracted more than 50,000 people, both professional athletes and amateurs. The sporting event marks the culmination of a three-day festival of related workshops and family activities taking place at the Race Village in the Circus Maximus from 16-18 May. The money raised goes towards funding educational and early detection programmes to help fight breast cancer.

The run begins at Terme di Caracalla and passes through Piazza Venezia and past the Colosseum before finishing back at the starting point. Participants in the 5-km competitive race must register by 15 May, while those joining the non-competitive events have until 09.00 on 18 May to sign up.

Competitive runners are required to be at least 18 years old by 18 May and must exhibit either a medical card attesting to their fitness for competitive running or a valid card from the Federazione Italiana di Atletica Leggera (FIDAL).

The minimum donation for all categories is €13 which can be paid online by credit card, or in person at the Susan G. Komen Italia offices Via Venanzio Fortunato 55 (Mon-Fri 10.00-18.00). Payment can also be made at the Race Village, on Via dell’Ara Massima di Ercole, but only on 16 May and 17 May from 10.00-19.00, and before 09.00 on race day, 18 May. At the same address, and during the same times, participants can pick up race hats and t-shirts by presenting their receipt of registration.

The race was founded by Nancy G. Brinker in 1983 in Dallas, Texas, with 800 runners. Over 30 years later some 1.5 million people are expected to participate in sponsored races all over the world. Full information about the race, including how to volunteer, can be found on the Race for the Cure Italia website.