Here's what the New Balance Run House was like at the 2026 Rome Marathon In a timeless historic setting, a hub for fostering the brand's community
Last weekend, Rome experienced an unforgettable chapter in its sporting and cultural history. On the occasion of the Rome Marathon 2026, New Balance transformed the ancient Corsie Sistine into an oasis of wellness and connection called the New Balance Run House. For three full days, this unique space on the banks of the Tiber, at Borgo Santo Spirito 1, welcomed runners of all levels and curious citizens, offering them an experience that went far beyond mere race preparation.
The Corsie Sistine, built in 1478 by Pope Sixtus IV as one of the world's first public hospitals, rediscovered their original vocation as a place of care and regeneration. The Renaissance hall, 120 meters long, divided by the central lantern of the Tiburio and enriched with majestic frescoes, once again became a refuge for body and mind. New Balance divided it into two distinct yet complementary souls: the Sala Lancisi, dedicated to wellness and community practices, and the Sala Baglivi, the nerve center for physical recovery, research, and product discovery.
Those who crossed the threshold found a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A central row of treatment beds, treadmills, and display stations served as the guiding thread. Here, runners could undergo personalized physiotherapy sessions, listen to insights on sports science, and above all, preview and test the brand's latest innovations. The FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 shoes, the Ellipse v1, and the entire RC apparel collection were ready to be tried and admired up close.
The program was intense and varied. After opening on Friday afternoon, activities kicked off on Saturday morning in the Sala Lancisi, where New Balance ambassador Mike Kratzer and Jason Levine, founder of Minor Planet, led a Breathwork session reserved for early risers: a profound experience to rebalance the nervous system, improve focus, and mentally prepare for the race. Immediately afterward, the Souplesse community guided the Ellipse Community Run, a light run through some of the Eternal City's most iconic spots, followed by a regenerating breakfast.
Throughout the day, opportunities for sharing abounded. The “Center for Beginners” continued with stretching, massage, and visualization sessions, while in the Sala Baglivi runners could test shoes on treadmills and join personalized workshops. In the afternoon, women took center stage in the New Balance Together Laps, running a scenic 5K together before diving into a workshop dedicated to women's products. At the same time, in the same halls, a special live episode of the Common Grounds podcast was recorded, with New Balance and Souplesse sharing the deep bond between marathon, passion, and community.
Even the New Balance store on Via del Corso turned into a lively meeting point: coffee, refreshments, and the festive vibe of the Race Signal Station welcomed those wanting a break between workouts. The highlight came on Sunday evening with the Post-Race Celebration: an unforgettable party held right inside the Corsie Sistine. Food, drinks, recovery stations, and a DJ set turned the night into a grand collective celebration, with the Souplesse community as host. Music, laughter, and hugs perfectly closed a weekend that celebrated not only sport, but above all human connection.
Everything stemmed from the collaboration with the Roman realities Souplesse and SLIPMODE, two communities that perfectly captured New Balance's spirit: running is not just performance, it is encounter, reflection, and sharing. Bruno Laroque, Senior Director of Brand Marketing EMEA, summed it up with words that still resonate: “In New Balance we believe that running is much more than mere performance: it is connection, reflection, and sharing. The Rome Run House offers runners and local communities a space to pause, recover, and celebrate the journey, not just the finish line”.
At the end of the weekend, as runners prepared for Sunday's race, many agreed on one thing: the true winner of the Rome Marathon 2026 was New Balance itself which reminded everyone that the most beautiful running is not the one that ends at the finish line, but the one lived together, between an ancient corridor and a new pair of shoes, between a deep breath and a shared laugh.
