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Venice Marathon

26 October 2008

Venice Marathon Website
 


THE COURSE

Click here to see a more detailed map of the course and the hotel locationsThe Marathon start is located in Stra (a small country town about 25 km west of Venice), at the beginning of "Riviera del Brenta", the beautiful riverside area where rich and noble Venetians built their vacation mansions in the 18th century. The finish is in the historic centre of Venice, on the embankment named Riva Sette Martiri, in a scenic position facing the lagoon.

The first half of the race develops in a typical countryside landscape, following the course of the river "Riviera del Brenta". The Marathon then goes through the centre of Marghera and Mestre (i.e. the boroughs of the city of Venice located on the mainland), runs for 3 kilometers inside San Giuliano's Park (the largest urban green area in Europe) and gets to Venice via the Liberty Bridge (a flat and straight bridge just a little less than 4 kilometers long).

The race continues in the Venice port area and reaches the city centre for the last kilometers, which are simply unique. Marathoners run next to the Giudecca Canal to Punta della Dogana, where they cross the Grand Canal on a pontoon bridge, especially built for the race. Passing by Piazza San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale, the marathon route gets to the finish line located in Riva Sette Martiri.

The Venice Marathon course is basically flat and fast. There are just a few difficulties, represented by 3- 4 short slopes (100 meters or so) between the 25th and 35th kilometre. In the final part of the marathon route (last 3 kilometres), runners will face 14 little bridges over Venice's canals. Wooden ramps are put in place to prevent athletes from running on the steps and there are no cobblestone on the course (apart from the last 100 meters before the finish line).

In the final 3 kilometres the running surface will be mainly made of large rectangular stone slabs. The course is entirely closed to traffic and marked every kilometer.

Click on the map to see an enlarged version of the course


PACKAGES

In order to secure your package to the Venice Marathon a non-refundable deposit of AU $250 per person is required.

Please note:

All packages below are to be used as a guide only.
All rates are quoted in Australian Dollars and are on a per person basis

Venice Historical Centre

Hotel

Rating

Location Twin Share Add. Nights Single Room Add. Nights
2 star properties close to finish AU $625 AU $131 AU $788 AU $186
3 star properties close to finish AU $756 AU $181 AU $890 AU $224
4 star properties close to finish AU $961 AU $242 AU $1,198 AU $317

Venice Lido

Hotel Rating Location Twin Share Add. Nights Single Room Add. Nights
3 star properties 15 mins by boat to finish AU $402 AU $103 AU $536 AU $159
4 star properties 15 mins by boat to finish AU $551 AU $149 AU $732 AU $224

Venice Mestre

Hotel Rating Location Twin Share Add. Nights Single Room Add. Nights
2 star properties Exposport (15km from City) AU $364 AU $74 AU $425 AU $112
3 star properties Exposport (15km from City) AU $468 AU $127 AU $583 AU $178
4 star properties Exposport (15km from City) AU $476 AU $122 AU $639 AU $186
Inclusions for all packages
Guaranteed Race Entry
3 nights accommodation if staying in Venice Historical Centre else 2 nights accommodation at all other locations
Breakfast daily
Bus Transfers to the start
If staying in Venice Historical Centre buses start from near the Bus/Rail terminal (PIAZZALE ROMA)
If staying in Venice Lido (an island) you will be transported by private boat to the mainland and Bus to the start.
If staying in Venice Mestre Bus transfers will depart from the nominated hotels.
Notes:
Non-runners sharing a room with runners deduct AU $119
These rate are applicable up to and including 5 October 2008
Triple share rooms are available upon request

Please note that an AU$55 Per Person surcharge will apply on all packages to
1) Australian Residents who do not purchase airfares through Travelling Fit.
2) All Non-Australian residents


RACE INFORMATION

ENTRY FEES
Entry fees to the Venice Marathon is AU $123and non refundable.

Before 12 October, 2008 AU $123
13 October to 22 October, 2008 AU $175

The entry fee includes a goody bag, entry to the Pasta Party and an official program.
It will be possible to check your entry on the official Venice Marathon websitestarting from 1 January 2008.
Confirmation letters will be sent starting from October 2, 2008

Please note that entry fees are strictly non-refundable.  However, the race entry can be deferred to the 2009 Venice Marathon at an additional cost of AU $17or transferred to another person for an additional fee of AU $9.

QUALIFYING TIMES
There are no qualifying times for this event.

START TIME
The Marathon will start at 9:15am.  All competitors must be in the starting corals by 9:00am.

CUT-OFF TIMES
The cut-off times for this event are as follows:

21km mark 2:50
30km mark 3:55
Race Finish 6:00

RACE TIMING
Race timing will be managed by Timing Data Service using a revolutionary active transponder included in the bib number.

Sensors along the course will record the actual time in which each athlete finishes the race. Intermediate times will be also recorded at the kilometres: 5, 10, 15, 21.097 (half marathon), 25, 30, 35 and 40.

RACE PACKETS
Pick up your bib and race packet at the Exposport on Thursday, 23 October (3pm to 8pm) to Saturday, 25 October 2008 (10am to 8pm).  Bib numbers can be collected on behalf of another person providing the runner supplies a signed waiver indicating that they are authorising the other person to collect the race packet on their behalf.

Confirmation letters will be sent once you are registered stating your race number.  This document MUST be kept as proof of entry and shown when collecting their race bib.

PACE SETTERS
Pacemaker teams will help the participants to achieve the desired result. These are the pacemakers' target times:

2h50' - 3h00' - 3h15' - 3h30' - 3h45' - 4h00' - 4h30' - 5h00' pace.

AID STATIONS
There will be refreshments and drinks along the course and they will be situated every 5km starting from the 5km mark.  Water tanks for soaking sponges will also be available every 5km starting from the 7.5km mark.  The sponges can be obtained at the start of the race and two are also in the race pack.  Sponges will not be available on the course.  Fruit, cookies and energy bars will be available from the 20km aid station.

PERSONAL REFRESHMENTS AND CLOTHING
Clothing may be dropped off at the start of the race so that it can be transported to the finish.  Please note that all personal effects must be dropped off by 8:30am and must be placed in the bag provided.

EXPO
The marathon's expo (where athletes pick their bib numbers) is located in Venezia Mestre inside San Giuliano's Park (the largest urban green area in Europe). Exposport is open from Thursday 23 October until Saturday 25 October

TRANSPORT
Free shuttle bus will be available for transfers to the start line in Stra as follows:
Venice to Tronchetto (Fruit and Vegetable Market) from 6:50am to 7:10am
Mestre (Railway Station) from 7:00am to 7:20am

Athletes must show the ticket that they are provided with when they pick up their race number.

FINISHERS T-SHIRTS, MEDALS AND CERTIFICATES
All finishers will receive a commemorative medal and finishers diploma.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
The average October temperature  Venice is 15°C (59°F).

OTHER EVENTS
4km Family Fun Run held on the Saturday before the Marathon
Pasta Party.


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