Cardio Race takes place within the 140 hectares of Ippodromo Roma Capannelle, the historic Rome horse-racing venue recognized as Italy's first racecourse. Held annually near World Heart Day, it features a 12.4 km road race for competitive and non-competitive participants, a 5.23 km non-competitive option, and a 1 km Kids Run. The event has been held since 2013 with a specific health objective: promoting heart health awareness, supporting cardiovascular disease research, and combating sudden cardiac death.
The course remains within the Capannelle grounds, offering a more contained atmosphere than a city road race and catering to both timed participants and those primarily supporting the cause. DreamCom organizes the event, with scientific guidance from the INRC, Italy's National Institute for Cardiovascular Research. A Heart Village is established at the venue, featuring medical and informational zones, including free preventive health screenings for the public. The event highlights that cardiovascular disease causes over 4.3 million deaths annually in Europe, with lifestyle factors like smoking, diet, inactivity, and alcohol consumption contributing to the issue.