This past weekend was packed with energy, excitement, and the Gladiator spirit as JCU students participated in two fantastic events that combined fitness, fun, and community. Here’s a full recap of our action-packed weekend of runs.

Saturday: We kicked things off at the Sport Day organized by Foro Italico, an event that brought together athletes from universities across Rome, and even from other parts of Italy and Europe. It was a celebration of sportsmanship, inclusion, and community spirit. As JCU student and runner Paolo Resta noted,

We had the chance to meet athletes from all the universities in Rome, which came from all over Italy and even Europe. We came together to celebrate the values of sportsmanship, inclusion, and community

There was no shortage of activities to try, and Paolo took the opportunity to sharpen his ping pong skills with lessons provided by Foro Italico students.

“We also played a little 2vs2 tournament, and we had so much fun that we didn’t stop despite the terrible rain!”

Rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the day, and the team spirit was high throughout.

In addition to the fun on the field, we also took advantage of a free, comprehensive physical check-up offered by professional medical staff. This was a great opportunity for participants to assess their physical strengths and areas for improvement. As Paolo shared, “It was an excellent opportunity to assess our physical strengths and weaknesses and get advice on how to improve them.”

Sunday: The Gladiators took on the Cardio Race, an inspiring charity run aimed at raising awareness about cardiovascular health and promoting active lifestyles. Under sunny skies and in the stunning natural setting of the racecourse, our team competed in both the 5K and 10K events. It was a day of pushing limits and breaking records.

“We did our best to improve our best times. The beautiful natural setting in which the competition was set definitely played a role in our performances, as we broke all of our previous records,”

Paolo added with pride.

In addition to the race itself, participants also had access to free professional health screenings that focused on both physical and mental well-being. This holistic approach to health made the day even more meaningful, as it combined physical challenge with awareness of the importance of health.

It was a weekend of pure fun and sport for our Gladiators!
On Saturday, October 5th, and Sunday, October 6th, our athletes proudly participated in two incredible events: the UniForoItalico Sport Day and the Cardio Race.
The weekend kicked off at Stadio dei Marmi with the Sport Day, a full day dedicated to trying out various sports activities, all while enjoying free health check-ups. A friendly 4×100 inter-university relay added a touch of friendly competition and excitement, bringing athletes together in the spirit of sportsmanship.
The excitement continued on Sunday at the Cardio Race at Ippodromo delle Capannelle, where participants ran 5K, 10K, and 15K courses to raise funds for heart disease research. Our very own Gladiator, Paolo Resta, raced in the 5K, finishing with an impressive time of around 21 minutes!
Given the success of these events, we hope to see even more Gladiators join us next year! Let’s keep pushing our limits together. Go Gladiators! – Sarah Jane

A huge congratulations to Sarah Jane and Paolo for proudly representing JCU in both events. They truly embodied the Gladiator spirit, showing resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the weekend.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this weekend unforgettable! Let’s keep this momentum going and continue to show what it means to be a JCU Gladiator—on and off the track.

Go Gladiators! 🏅🎉