Florence Marathon: a guide to Italy's most beautiful marathon

The Florence Marathon is one of Italy's most loved marathons, not only among Italian runners but also for people travelling from across Europe to run 42 kilometres through Florence's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and the Ponte Vecchio as the backdrop. It's traditionally held on the last Sunday of November, a time of year when temperatures are nearly always ideal for running a marathon: cool but rarely freezing.

The course: from the historic centre to the hills and back

Start and finish are in the heart of Florence, with a course that in its first part crosses the city's most iconic landmarks and, in the middle section, moves out toward the hills around Florence, with some gently rolling stretches before returning to the city for the finish. It's not a completely flat course like some coastal city marathons, but it's not an especially hilly one either: it remains accessible even to those aiming for a first sub-4-hour time with solid preparation.

When it's held and how to register

As per tradition, the event is set for the last Sunday of November: registration opens well in advance (often several months ahead), and for the most sought-after bibs it's worth not waiting until the final weeks, especially if you also want to book accommodation in the city centre during one of Florence's busiest weekends of the year. Up-to-date information on the course, registration and bibs is always published on the event's official website.

Practical tips for running it

What to see along the route

Beyond the finish time, many runners choose the Florence Marathon precisely for the setting: running past the Duomo, along the Arno, among villas and gardens in the hilly section, is an experience worth the effort even for those not chasing a personal best. Crowd support along the city centre streets is among the warmest of any Italian marathon, a detail many runners remember more than the time on their watch.

Recommended products

For a marathon with some hilly stretches, well-cushioned marathon running shoes help manage fatigue better in the final kilometres.

Assorted-flavour marathon energy gels are essential to reach the finish line without an energy crash, especially in the second half of the race.

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