Header: Courtesy of New Balance / Adrien Ozouf
In March of 2026, Rome held its 31st edition of the Run Rome The Marathon. At the same time, while athletes were running through the old city’s streets wearing New Balance sneakers, the brand was hosting a temporary New Balance Run House in the historic Corsie Sistine, which welcomed visitors from the 20th to the 22nd of March.
The building, first completed in 1478 and one of Europe’s first public hospitals, is located right by the Tiber, housing a 120-metre Renaissance hall that was brought back into use as a space centred on recovery and the wider running culture.
Wellness in Corsie Sistine
The Corsie Sistine was originally built for the treatment and care of the people of Rome, and New Balance’s space brings that vision back to life during one of the city’s most anticipated events: marathon weekend. To complement and support the race, the Run House catered to the physical routines that are held before and after running, such as rest, preparation and recovery.
A weekend of events
During the three days it stayed open, the hall was home to events related to recovery, fitness and social life: breathwork sessions, guided workshops, community runs and recovery treatments were held alongside product trials and treadmill testing stations. A café and lounge invited visitors to stay and talk, pushing them to discover each other’s shared interest in running and staying active.
Some of the main events held during that weekend in Rome include a women’s 5K and workshop, live podcast recordings and guided sessions focused on performance and recovery.
The weekend ended with a post-race gathering inside the Corsie Sistine, bringing together locals, food, music and wellness in the former hospital hall.
