Why Rome?
The Rome Marathon www.maratonadiroma.it/
In no particular order, I think the choice of Rome comes down to me so I am obliged to explain the 7 mighty reasons, apart from Thy seven (deadly) sins, I mean hills, why 48 others have gathered to join… ‘What has befallen me? And from within a thrilling voice replies, Thou art in Rome! A thousand busy thoughts Rush on my mind, a thousand images; And I spring up as girt to run a race!’ (Samuel Rogers) My thinking is that if Samuel here had to go to Rome for inspiration to go running – then it’s the best place to go for a Marathon!?
The other reason of course is that it will be impossible to get lost, because don’t all roads lead there? For those of us who aren’t so confident we will reach the end, its ok because the French said that we should choose des sentiers differents! Super, no need to learn any Italian in order to follow the signposts – we’re excused!
However, the first reason we are running this marathon is for Sophie, she is our raison d’etre and our inspiration. Her smile forever bore on our hearts and spirits – it lit up her aura and it glowed strength, optimism and will. Rob describes how Sophie “smiled through adversity and infected people with that smile, disarmed them, charmed them and showed people that living was the best thing that you could ever imagine. All through the smile”
Her Eternal Smile is coming with us to Rome, “The Eternal City”, where it will be carried in our hearts and on our t-shirts through (appropriately) “The most beautiful city in the world” . Sophie and Rome have a lot in common.
Fundraising for this marathon is a fundamental element to this adventure. We hope that our sponsorship efforts will be in advance of the wave for the London Marathon which takes place a month later. Equally, we will be able to ride that wave of “Marathonitus” and really maximize our fundraising potential.
Rome symbolises the ideal combination of a physical and emotional challenge with a thoroughly enjoyable weekend of breathtaking sight-seeing,(actually we will need as much breath as we can get!) socialising and camaraderie – a recipe for enjoyment perfection, rather like their Pizza a la Romana and Pasta Vongole (carb-loading!) .We can enjoy great weather, great food and drink, little travel, pre-tourist tranquility and together be part of a memory of a lifetime – And any 26 mile physical challenge which starts in a Gladiatorial Coliseum and finishes in a Golden House must at least ignite a bit of fire in to your legs – it sounds rather like a pub?! For the bits in between, when we are dodging the cobbles, tripping over the Piazza Navona, cooling off in the Trevi Fountain and feel we are ‘hitting the wall’ (you probably are – a very old and famous one!) all we have to do is pray in a loud voice – the Pope lives around there somewhere!? I think we even pass his house.(Saint Peter’s).
It all sounds a lot more exciting than Greenwich and Bermondsey.
One question remains – why NOT the Rome Marathon? – I can easily say now that the one and only reason is this: its so blimin’ difficult to register!!
“Y a Roma pro todo!”
(To Rome for everything! – Cervantes)