I ran the half marathon in Brescia in 2011. The course is flat, good for fast times, if a little lacking in scenery. The website for the race was a bit of a struggle and it was not easy to register. Also the medical certificates we obtained for the race were not checked at registration, which would have been good and proper. The drinks stations on course were good but there was a bit of vehicle traffic on the course.

Brescia is a nice town to visit, though, and when combined with a visit to Milan on the day before the race, it makes for an enjoyable trip.

The wet and cold weather for race day may have kept supporter numbers down.

Overall, a good run for a half marathon - but perhaps choose another race in Europe for your spring marathon!

The day I ran the Brescia Art Marthon was windy and wet with temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. This was probably the main reason why there were so few supporters around. There is just one 42K lap leading through some nice Italian countryside with villages of fine architecture. The race starts and ends in the lovely city of Brescia at the foot of the Alps. There was some traffic around as the roads were not completely blocked, but it was within my comfort limits. The refreshments and organization were top quality. The relatively low entry fee included a high-quality t-shirt. Overall, a good race.