Cecchignola di Corsa

The Cecchignola di Corsa is a 10 km road race held in Rome, inside the Cecchignola military district in the south of the city, in Municipio IX (EUR). It is organised by ASD Esercito Cecchignola, a FIDAL-affiliated athletics club open to both civilians and military personnel, together with the LBM Sport Team club and the base command, under the patronage of the municipio. Listed on the Italian Athletics Federation's national calendar, it takes place on the second Sunday of October.

The headline event is a competitive 10 km over a certified distance, with individual and club rankings. Runners gather from around 7.45am at the Bonivento training area, entered from Via dei Bersaglieri; a large car park is set aside for participants and military staff direct traffic. The gun goes at 9.30am and the finish is in the same spot, after a loop along the internal avenues of the military district. There is an aid station at 5 km and another at the finish, and timing is by chip.

Five minutes later, at 9.35am, a non-competitive 10 km sets off on the same course, open to unaffiliated runners aged 16 and over, who are ranked separately. Finally, at around 9.40am, comes the Family Run, a three-to-four-kilometre loop at an easy pace for families, children, friends and even dogs on a lead.

The cut-off for the competitive race has in recent years been set at 90 minutes, or 9 minutes per kilometre, which puts it within reach of most regular runners. The format suits anyone chasing a 10 km time as well as those trying a first mass-start race. Competitive entry requires a FIDAL licence, a Runcard or a foreign club licence recognised by World Athletics, together with a medical certificate.

What makes the race special is its setting. The Cecchignola is a sprawling military district housing barracks, schools and commands of the Italian Army, as well as the historical museum of military motorisation, and it is normally closed to the public. On race morning, civilian and military runners share its avenues, in an atmosphere that brings together Roman running clubs, armed forces sports groups and local families.

Entries are taken online or at partner running shops in Rome and close a few days before the race; there are no race-day entries. In recent years bibs have been collected the day before at a partner shop on Via Tuscolana, except for runners travelling from outside the province. A technical T-shirt is handed out when the timing chip is returned, and finishers receive a medal. A supervised bag drop is available near the start and finish area.