Okay, here's a shot in the dark. Can an avid runner find a place to run in Rome. We will be staying near Vatican City (Lepanto Metro). Can I run at Borghese at night? Is it well lit & safe? Or any other suggestions? Thanks a lot.

How about along the Tiber River?

I've run along the Tiber. It's trafficky but not a huge deal for me. I probably wouldn't haul myself all the way over to Borghese from the Vatican to run. I'd likely just make my own route. Have you done a search on <i>Runner's World</i> website? They sometimes do tourist-centered runner's routes.

The Circus Maximus looks ideal for a run.

Ditto Circus Maximus. I saw tons of people walking and jogging there.

My DK eyewitness guide to Rome suggests running in villa Doria Pamphilj park which is &quot;situated above the Janiculum&quot; (so on the Vatican side of the Tiber) and has &quot;three tracks, plenty of open spaces and a network of paths.&quot; It is open dawn to dusk, not at night.
The same guide describes Villa Borghese as &quot;a vast popular place with a running track.&quot; Hours are the same

I prefer the Borghese Gardens. It is safe and lovely.

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/tool...e=Destinations

There's a link to runnersworld's Rome runs page. When I was there, we ran in the morning and enjoyed running to sites that were usually crowded by midday, like Trevi, Pantheon, etc. So we used our running as extra, special site-seeing ops too. I love running in big, crazy cities like Rome in the am, before they get busy! Hope you have some memorable times there!

Thank you, you guys are awesome. We are going in Sept for about a week. No way can we wait a week to run! We will try a few of these suggestions. I didn't even think about running along the Tiber. Circus Maximus, may be a bit away, but I can imagine us out there with the ipod set on a loop playing Chariots of Fire. Too good. Take care

I have always been a street and sidewalk runner when I'm in a foreign city. (although I'll probably be gettiing lung cancer from all the fumes!) I was just in Rome and had some wonderful runs along the Tiber and Circus Maximus. You'll be amazed at all you will see.
A run from the Vatican along the Tiber down to Circus Maximus and back will be great. Take a quick loop over to the Colosseum.
I had a great run this trip looking for San Pietro en Vincoli to see Michelangelo's Moses. I got there and was able to be there in the church by myself!
I had shorts on but I knew Michelangelo and God woudn't mind.
Go out early and watch Rome come to life!