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The European Marathon Classics series officially launches on Sunday, March 22 in Rome, marking the beginning of a new chapter for long-distance running in Europe. The inaugural race of the circuit, Acea Run Rome The Marathon, sets the tone for an initiative designed to unite the continent’s most iconic marathons under one platform.

The launch coincides with a historic edition of the Rome Marathon. This year’s event is the largest ever, with 36,000 registered runners and entries sold out four months in advance. Participants from 166 countries will line up at the start, underlining both the global appeal of the race and the international ambition of the European Marathon Classics series.

Beyond elite competition, the scale of participation highlights the growing importance of mass running events across Europe. Including the Acea Water Fun Run and the Acea Run4Rome charity relay, around 60,000 people are expected to take part during marathon weekend, while the number of visitors to the city is projected to reach at least 120,000.

Rome offers a symbolic and visually striking setting for the opening race. The marathon route connects some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, beginning at the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums and finishing at the historic Circo Massimo. Along the course, runners pass through the heart of the Italian capital, blending sport, culture, and history in a unique experience that reflects the spirit of the European Marathon Classics.

The strength of the elite field further reinforces the importance of the opening event. The Rome Marathon has established itself as one of the fastest courses in Italy, as shown by last year’s winning times of 2:07:35 in the men’s race and 2:26:16 in the women’s race. This year’s line-up once again features top international athletes, ensuring a high-performance start to the series.

The inclusion of Rome in the European Marathon Classics calendar reflects a shared vision among partner races: combining sporting excellence with cultural heritage, sustainability, and community engagement. The event exemplifies these values through its scale, international reach, and strong focus on social initiatives, including charity programmes and environmental actions linked to World Water Day.

The organisers emphasize that the success of the event is the result of many years of work by the consortium of Infront Italy, Corriere dello Sport – Stadio, Italia Marathon Club, and Atielle, which for the past six years have developed the Rome Marathon into one of Europe’s most important mass-participation events.

A new platform bringing European marathons together

The European Marathon Classics brings together eight leading marathons across Europe, creating a new platform for athletes, cities, and organisers. The series aims to enhance visibility, attract international participants, and position Europe as a premier destination for road racing.

The series includes eight marathons: Acea Run Rome The Marathon (22 March), Vienna City Marathon (19 April), TCS London Marathon (26 April), Zurich Rock’n’Roll Running Series Madrid (26 April), Copenhagen Marathon (10 May), Warsaw Marathon (27 September), EDP Maratona de Lisboa (10 October), and Mainova Frankfurt Marathon (25 October).

With record participation, a global audience, and an iconic course, Acea Run Rome The Marathon provides a powerful opening to the European Marathon Classics. The 2026 season begins with strong momentum, setting high expectations for the races that will follow across the continent.

To earn the title of European Marathon Classics Finisher and a commemorative medal with collectible coins, participants need only complete five marathons in five different cities. There is no time limit to complete the challenge. Registration for the series is free at www.europeanmarathonclassics.eu. Fees apply only to individual races, in line with the organisers’ rules.

From the third quarter of 2026, in partnership with LetsDoThis.com, runners will be able to submit historical marathon results dating back to 1978 from EMC courses. Each completed and approved historical marathon earns an e-coin, displayed in the participant’s EMC profile.

Just three weeks after its launch at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna on 25 February, the European Marathon Classics series has already attracted almost 8,000 participants from 105 countries across six continents.