Marathon de Portofino

If February feels like a "runny nose","sofa blanket" month for you, it’s high time to switch tracks. We’re moving to the Italian version 🇮🇹, the one that smells of the sea, lemon and ambition. We’re taking you to the Liguria, in the province of Genoa, for the Portofino Marathon (aka the Portofino Marathon for Sunday bilinguals). Here, we don’t come to sort lentils or watch rain fall on a parking lot. We come to run where yachts have more budget than some states 💸. This is the event that proves that the running is SO much cooler when it has an Italian accent and a focaccia scent drifting from the corner bakery 🤤. (No, your brain isn’t fooling you. Yes, it really smells like focaccia. And yes, you’ll speed up to finish sooner and go eat it.)

Ready to tackle the mythical distance? Okay, it’s intimidating, but it’ll move you to tears of joy at the finish line, trust me 🏁. The start is in Santa Margherita Ligure, and from the first kilometres you’ll learn you’re not on just any marathon. The route takes you first due south, skirting the Mediterranean under the mildly condescending gaze of villas worth more than your savings plan multiplied by ten generations 🏘️. Then head north toward Rapallo, and there the course reveals its nature: mostly flat, but with technical turns and gentle climbs that keep you on your toes when your legs start wanting to resign 😅. It’s not a mountain pass, but it’s enough to keep your brain from switching off entirely. After Rapallo, back south toward the iconic Portofino before the triumphant finish in the sea‑side gardens of Santa Margherita 🌷. On your left the sound of waves 🌊. On your right: the greenery of the Monte di Portofino and its marine pines 🌳. Between the two: you, in shorts, suffering in style. That’s the deal ✨. For those who want the flavor without the 42 km, the option "short like an espresso" ☕️, aka the "Family Run" of 5 km takes you through the magnificent Paraggi Bay because there’s something for everyone. Not to mention the relay race "4 x 10,5 km" : the perfect option if you want to share the pain with friends and dump it on the next person 😂.

The mental game is on fire, your legs are in autopilot mode 🦵, and every kilometer you complete is another reason to thank your ancestors for the brilliant idea of this sport (and Pheidippides for running the very first marathon) ✨. We’re not on a casual Sunday jog in an industrial zone between two warehouses, but in a luxury cinema setting where the sea breeze is your natural boost, a caffeinated gel, and a therapist all at once. Three for the price of one! 😎

"What to do after the race?" 🍝 The question doesn’t even exist: you have an unlimited pass for local rehydration. Head to the first terrace for a well-oiled focaccia (the base) or a plate of trofie al pesto that will recharge you to 100%. Then, for recovery, nothing beats a climb up to the Castello Brown to give your Instagram feed a fresh look, or a stroll along the harbor to pretend you can’t decide between two 40‑meter sailboats 🤑.

Dolce far niente? Not for us. We prefer the dulce far male les jambes 🤌 !