Rome's annual Komen Race for the Cure begins and ends at Circus Maximus.

Registration is now open for the 17th edition of the Komen Italia Race for the Cure which takes place on the streets of central Rome on Sunday 15 May to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.

The annual event is divided into three categories: a non-competitive 5-km run; a 2-km walk; and a competitive 5-km race.

Last year it attracted more than 60,000 people, both professional athletes and amateurs. The sporting event marks the culmination of a three-day festival of health and fitness workshops, family activities and free medical advice at the Race Village in the Circus Maximus between 10.00 and 20.00 on 13-14 May.

The money raised goes towards funding educational and early detection programmes to help fight breast cancer. The event is open to men, women and children, and there is a special "Women in Pink" category, for women who have faced or are facing breast cancer.

The race begins at 10.00 at the Circus Maximus 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 13 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 15 May and must exhibit either a medical certificate 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 €15 which can be paid online by credit card, or in person at the Susan G. Komen Italia offices on Circonvallazione Clodia 78/A (Mon-Fri 10.0-18.00) as well as other points around Rome. Payment can also be made directly at the Race Village, on Via dell’Ara Massima di Ercole, on 13 and 14 May from 10.00-20.00, or before 09.00 on race day, 15 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. More than 30 years later some 1.5 million people 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.