ROME – At the conclusion of an extraordinary edition of Acea Run Rome The Marathon, the results confirm a remarkable set of achievements: a quartet of records.
After recording the highest number of participants, the greatest number of foreign runners at the starting line, and the women’s race record established by Kenyan athlete Pascaline Kibiwot, the World Pacer Team earned yet another milestone—this time on an international level.
On March 22, 2026, 252 athletes (89 women) from 26 countries ran the marathon for the World Pacer Team. Representatives included all Italian regions and a range of international participants. The pacers were selected by Rome-based marathon runner Federica Romano, who has applied continually evolving strategies—such as fit-walking pacers and buddy pacers—to strengthen support for marathon runners.
A new feature was introduced this year: pacers accompanied the last athletes to the finish line within the race’s time limit, a deadline calculated from the start of the final wave.
“Today we didn’t just witness a marathon; every step was the result of commitment, dedication, teamwork, passion, and so much more. I am truly happy to announce that this attempt was successful and that the new Guinness World Record for ‘The most pacers in a marathon’ is now 252. To each of you who participated, you made history! Congratulations to everyone—you are officially amazing,” said Lucia Sinigagliesi, official Judge.
The recognition did not end with the Guinness World Record. The largest team of pacers ever also received the Cup of the Last (Coppa degli Ultimi), awarded on Sunday, March 22 by Athletica Vaticana during the Acea Run Rome The Marathon.
Representatives of the World Pacer Team received the award on stage at Circus Maximus, at the end of the 42.195 km run—an event carried out in the spirit of solidarity and support, with the pacers acting as “guardian angels” for runners, especially those running for the first time.
The motivation was clear and powerful:
“For their generous commitment to ensuring that no one is left alone or behind on the streets of the Marathon and also on the streets of life: for three years, the pacers of the Acea Run Rome The Marathon have been fraternally sharing concrete acts of solidarity with Athletica Vaticana, particularly service to the poor at the Caritas of Rome soup kitchen at Termini Station.”
An Athletica Vaticana delegation—made up of Vice President Valentina Giacometti and Fabrizio Peloni—presented the award to the organizers.
Now in its fourth edition, the Cup of the Last was created by Roman artist Barbara Salvucci. Its title, “The Invisible Finish,” reflects the philosophy behind the honor:
“It does not celebrate the best time, but the time endured. It does not reward the first, but acknowledges those who do not stop. It is not a consolation prize, but a form of respect. It does not celebrate victory, but the perseverance and dignity of those who do not give up and reach the finish line without the spotlight. But welcomed. Dedicated to the last, the work overturns the traditional idea of a prize in a performance-driven society that forgets those left behind.”
Photo credits: Acea Run Rome
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