Run your next marathon in one of the most beautiful, enchanting cities in the world. Join us for this unbeatable 5-day Florence marathon package.
RACE NUMBER, 3-MONTH CUSTOM TRAINING PROGRAM & UNRIVALLED SUPPORT FROM OUR COACHES
- Entrance to the Florence Marathon held on Sunday 30 November, 2014
- A 3-month personal training program and unlimited online support from your personal coach to get you to the start line in the best possible form.
- Pre-race technical briefing and course presentation with our Coaches
- Group training session in Florence prior to race day
- Trip to the Marathon Expo
- Running4you technical t-shirt
A TASTE OF THE REAL FLORENCE, A UNIQUE (NON-CHAIN) HOTEL
- 4 nights in a charming hotel in a medieval building dating back to 1260. It has the highest private terrace in Florence, and is situated less than 1km from the marathon finish line
- An Italian-speaking, Italy-based team who will help you experience the real Florence, far from the tourist trail
- Group lunches and dinners in selected local restaurants (optional)
- Group pasta dinner the evening before the race (optional)
Additional benefits:
- 10% discount on Running4you Running Camps in 2015
Excluded:
- Flights to/from Florence, Pisa or Milan
- Travel insurance
- Drinks, meals and snacks (with the exception of breakfast which is included in the price)
- Airport transfer – but we can arrange this for you upon request.
ACCOMMODATION:
You’ll be staying in the stunning Hotel Torre Guelfa, a 3 star hotel in a medieval building dating back to 1260. Each room is unique and furnished in a traditional style, with modern private bathrooms, air conditioning and free wi-fi. The hotel has its own private tower open to hotel guests only, the Torre Guelfa, with the highest private terrace in the city, where you can admire the spectacular views of the city and surrounding hills and sip a nice glass of Italian wine overlooking the Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, the Duomo the Vasari Corridor and the Arno river banks.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE:
Write to us at events@running4you.org and we’ll send you the full program, race registration and booking form. When you book, we'll ask you for an initial deposit to hold your place and register your race number, with the balance to be paid at least 6 weeks prior to departure. Download the brochure for details.
Please note, to participate in races in Italy you either have to be a member of a national federation affiliated with IAAF (ie, a member of a registered running club) or alternatively you must submit a health certificate signed by your doctor that states you are is in good health and fit to compete in ATHLETICS events. We can provide you with a draft health form if required.
PROGRAM:
Thursday 27th November - Arrival
Afternoon : Arrival in Florence
Evening: Welcome drink & group dinner in local restaurant
Friday 28th November – Relax, have fun, explore the city
Morning : Group Run
Afternoon : Opportunity to take in some of the most famous art, culture and history in the world, visit the designer boutiques or stroll along the River Arno.
Saturday 29th November – Race Preparation Day
Morning: Group trip to the Expo (or if you prefer, we’ll pick up your race number for you).
Afternoon: Time to chill out before the final briefing session & marathon course presentation with the Running4you coaches.
Evening: Pasta dinner in local restaurant
Sunday 30th November – Race Day
Early breakfast served in the hotel. Then head for the start at Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, just a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel.
09.15 - THE RACE. The Running4you team will be there to cheer you on around the course, to meet you at the finish line, and help you back to the hotel once you’ve collected your medal.
GROUP CELEBRATORY LUNCH
Afternoon: Free time to relax, final opportunity for sightseeing or shopping in local boutiques.
Monday 1st December – Check-out
Breakfast followed by hotel check-out.
FLORENCE MARATHON COURSE INFO:
The Florence marathon is flat, reasonably fast and perhaps best of all, the course is entirely within the city itself, so you run surrounded by centuries of art, history and culture. The route passes many famous landmarks including Cathedral Square, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio as well as providing views of the surrounding hills, countryside and the River Arno. The race finishes in yet another landmark, the majestic Piazza Santa Croce.
Held the last Sunday in November, 30 November 2014 will be the 31st Edition of the race, now the second largest marathon in Italy after Rome.
ABOUT FLORENCE:
Florence is famous for its stunning Renaissance art and architecture, its history, culture, museums, galleries and monuments, attracting millions of tourists each year. It also offers the chance to sample the famous Tuscan cuisine in the wide range of trattorias, restaurants, bars and cafes throughout the city. If that wasn’t enough, Florence is also the headquarters of several major fashion houses and the city is full of boutiques and shops selling artisan goods.
HOW TO GET TO FLORENCE:
Florence Airport
The closest airport is Florence (Peretola) Airport, just 5km from the city. There are direct flights from London Gatwick with Spanish low-cost airline Vueling or Alitalia from London City.
Pisa Airport
Alternatively you may fly into Pisa. Easyjet currently fly into Pisa from London and Bristol, whilst Ryanair fly into Pisa from 7 different UK airports.
From Pisa there is a coach transfer directly from the aiport to Florence city centre with a journey time of 70 minutes, for just 4.99 euro with Terravision.
Milan Airport
A third alternative is to fly into Milan (preferably Linate, which is a 15-20 minute taxi ride from the city centre). From the central station (stazione centrale) in Milan, there are high speed “FrecciaRossa” trains directly to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station. The journey takes 1 hour and 40 minutes, tickets cost from 50 euros each way and can be purchased online.
We prefer to provide you with the maximum flexibility regarding travel options so we don’t arrange a fixed group airport transfer. However, we are very happy to help you plan your transfer and help you arrange train or coach tickets. We are also happy to arrange a private transfer upon request.