Marathon de Florence

The Florence Marathon, a 42 km race held annually in late November since 1984, winds through Florence, Italy. It began with 462 participants and evolved into Italy's second-largest marathon, trailing only Rome. The field is primarily Italian, with significant contingents from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Orlando Pizzolato, a two-time New York Marathon champion, was present at the inaugural event. The marathon subsequently gained enough national recognition to host Italy's championship race. The present course commences at Lungarno Pecori Giraldi and concludes in Piazza Santa Croce. Runners pass through the historic center, including Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore. A substantial portion of the race follows the Arno River, featuring bridge crossings and extended sections on the river's north bank. The route also extends to Cascine Park, the city's most extensive public park. Earlier iterations presented greater challenges, incorporating more turns, cobblestones, and one instance of a course approximately a kilometer short. However, the contemporary course is designed for a faster, record-eligible marathon.