On Sunday in Rome, a traditional marathon was held, in which about 20 thousand participants took part. I propose to look at this event through the eyes of a local resident
To begin with, we were not going to participate in the marathon this year, we just decided to take a walk around the Eternal City at dawn that day and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. The first obstacle was the inability to get to the Coliseum on the main street of Fori Imperiali, which was closed by a fence. This fact was a surprise not only for us, but also for several hundred participants and spectators. I had to make an excellent circle through Capitol Hill and the Roman Forum and wander a bit, since no one really knew anything, not even the police. What to do is Italy! Locals will perfectly understand this situation, and if you don’t know, just come to Rome for a week.
The weather on this day did not particularly please us - about 20 there was a brief rain. After wandering around the ancient ruins for half an hour and waiting for the elements over a cup of coffee, we missed the mass start at the Coliseum, and met the first athletes near Circo Massimo. They turned out to be people with disabilities - real heroes.
Try to spin such a simulator with your hands for about 20 minutes in the gym and you will understand what kind of load these athletes face.
First of all, a marathon is a cultural festival. Many Romans simply showed up to participate. There were people of different ages - who could run, who could not walk.
Although I was surprised by the composition of the participants, I admit I expected more professionalism, I did not miss the opportunity to also fix my first participation in the marathon.
Literally everyone ran - even dogs!
Rate what technique, what style!
A group of positive-minded Ukrainians met with inscriptions on the shirts “Peace to Ukraine”.
The entire group of runners gathered at the Circus Maximo (Circo Massimo). Music played, the atmosphere is very positive. Speaking of music, it is hereRolling Stones June 22, 2014 will perform as part of a tour dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the legendary rock band. I hope to see some of our readers here.
The Ukrainian team was photographed and how could attract attention.
The club of Roman clowns also staged a small demonstration.
We went down to the river, where almost without a traditional long line, we had the opportunity to test our honesty in the mouth of the truth.
As you can see from the continuation of the photo report, the hands remained in place. The club of Roman drummers came out to support the runners.
As it turned out, it was the 13th kilometer of the marathon and the people here were more athletic. That is, the marathon itself, you guessed it, was divided into several parts-groups. Professional athletes competing for prizes immediately ran off to the gap, in the photo below we will see a contingent of amateurs, and earlier we just came across participants who left the race at the Big Circus. In any case, everyone needs a huge why, since waking up on a rainy Sunday at 6-7 in the morning to go for a run is already worthy of respect. 
Everyone joyfully welcomed both photographers and drummers.
Many even clapped their hands.
As you can see the age of the participants is different - there are even very respectable seniors. Sports in Italy are really very popular. Those who follow my instagram often see online reporting from Roman parks such as Villa Borghese or Villa Pamphili.
Some drummers were still shy.
But the guru cheerfully cheered them up with a whistle.
Rome is a small city - meeting friends here is easy.
Drummers turned out to be serious guys, those who wish can get acquainted with creativity on their official website www.tribuakunamatata.com
A few more fun marathon runners.
The overall picture of the race.
About runners enough for today. Next, I propose to walk a little more in Rome with us. Taking the opportunity, we decided to climb Aventin Hill, one of the seven Roman hills located nearby to enjoy the orange garden and the panorama of the city.
View of the Tiber River and the unusually cloudy Rome in March. Until today, there was excellent spring weather, which I’m sure will improve in a couple of days and “give the heat”.
One of thousands of Roman fountains with drinking water.
Our oranges ripen all year round. 
Particularly brave extremes can take a bath.
Another beautiful fountain.
This time the goal of our climb to the hill was dei Cavalieri di Malta. As you may have guessed in the literal translation, "The Square of the Knights of Malta" belongs to the Order of Malta.
The zone is under the jurisdiction of Malta. You can even send them a message.
We all know about the Vatican and San Marino states, which are enclaves (surrounded on all sides by one country). The main feature is that if you look at the “holy hole” of Santo Buco you are simultaneously three states: a garden belonging to Malta, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and between them Italy, that is, Rome.
As you can see, it’s not a special turn to note such an unusual fact in his biography, although from time to time the tourists raided.
The rain started and we hid from it in a nearby church.
Cute parish inbox.
An ordinary street fence, but how beautiful it is!
Having decided to go down the hill by another road, we went to the party district Testaccio. Along the way, I found the very nice San Anselmo Hotel, located quite secluded and well strategically. Especially it will be cool in the summer, when the promenade along the Tiber will be exhibited bars with live music. We walked, drank, climbed the knoll in 10 minutes and here you are in peace and beauty, though it is worth noting that its cost is appropriate. Those interested can check availability at this Bucking hotel or read about cheaper Rome accommodation options. 
March, and we have everything blooming.
Life has stopped. Everyone ran away.
Public garden.
I would be grateful if someone tells me the name of these trees in the comments. Really curious.
The public garden is dedicated to the Roman Carabinieri.
No jokes, but everyone really ran to the marathon.
Roman double-eyed.
The whole walk took us about 3 hours and in the end we decided to drop in on the Porta Porteze flea market Sunday.
Here everything is still a bunch of junk, fashionable bags, screams of sellers, and the atmosphere was inviting! But this is a completely different story.
That was March 23, 2014 in Rome. I hope you enjoyed walking with us. I will be glad to answer your questions in the comments.
