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The Estra Firenze Marathon, first held in the mid-1980s, has grown into one of Italy’s most beloved city marathons by blending competitive racing with rich cultural heritage. Traditionally staged in late November, the race draws a mix of elite international athletes, fast-club runners, and enthusiastic recreational participants who come for both time goals and the unique opportunity to run through Florence’s UNESCO-listed historic center. Over the decades the event has become a fixture on the European road-racing calendar, prized for its reliable organization and warm local support. The course is a pedestrian’s dream: largely flat with a few gentle undulations, it threads through tree-lined Lungarno streets, crosses the Arno via the world-famous Ponte Vecchio, and skirts monumental sights such as Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and the Oltrarno neighborhood. Runners will enjoy sweeping vistas of Renaissance architecture, riverside stretches, and a memorable climb/view around Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic cityscapes. The atmosphere is festive and intimate rather than overpowering, with spirited local crowds, music stations, and neighborhood volunteers offering authentic Tuscan hospitality—post-race pasta parties, local food stalls and cultural touches that make the experience as scenic and social as it is athletic. The race is run on an AIMS-certified, accurately measured 42.195 km course and is recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifying event, making it attractive for athletes chasing qualifying times as well as those seeking a scenic city-marathon experience. Start time is typically in the morning (08:30), allowing runners to finish and sample Florence’s markets, museums and culinary offerings in the afternoon.

The Honolulu Marathon, first run in 1973, is one of the oldest and largest destination marathons in the United States and a marquee annual event in Hawaii’s running calendar. Traditionally held in mid-December to take advantage of warm tropical weather and holiday travel schedules, the race draws a diverse field of elite athletes and recreational runners from around the world. Over the decades it has become as much a celebration of aloha and island culture as a competitive road race, with many participants returning year after year to experience its unique blend of sport and spectacle. The course is scenic and runner-friendly, beginning in the early pre-dawn hours on Ala Moana Boulevard and winding through Honolulu’s waterfront and residential neighborhoods, past iconic Waikiki beaches, and circling the verdant slopes of Diamond Head before finishing in Kapiolani Park with nearby views of the Pacific. Runners experience long stretches of oceanfront and palm-lined streets, occasional gentle rollers rather than steep climbs, and plenty of crowd support at key landmarks. The event atmosphere is famously festive and welcoming — volunteers and spectators hand out leis and Hawaiian hospitality, live music and cultural performances appear along the route, and the race expo and finish-area celebrations underscore the vacation-like vibe. The Honolulu Marathon is AIMS-certified and is recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it appealing to both first-time marathoners and those chasing qualifying times. With an early 5:00 a.m. start to avoid the midday heat, comprehensive race-day support, and a well-established organizational history, the Honolulu Marathon offers a memorable and scenic marathon experience that combines competitive opportunity with the relaxed, celebratory spirit of Hawaii.

Our point-to-point, net-downhill course has remained unchanged for 42 years, starting from Folsom’s scenic foothills and ending at the historical California State Capitol. CIM has provided over 100,000 runners of all speeds–from first-timers to the fastest of the fast–the best chance to achieve their marathon goals.