As some of you know I’ve been to Venice a fair number of times (at least 25 times) and our family has an apartment there (it’s not in the main venice area, it’s in malamocco on the venice lido)
We were just chatting yesterday and someone mentioned that the Venice Marathon was happening

I hadn’t heard of it before and my first reaction was “how can you have a marathon race in Venice”? The answer is that the marathon starts 20+ miles inland in a town called Stra. The route goes along the Brenta canal through the Veneto province. It goes through various towns/villages and the city of Mestre on the mainland. The final point before crossing into Venice is the Park of San Giuliano. It is the last 2-3km which are along the cobbled/paved footpaths and bridges of the Venice canals. There are 14 bridges to cross along the trail which goes along the Giudecca Canal and turns past the Santa Maria della Salute Church. There is a pontoon bridge to cross the grande canal (all the main bridges are either inappropriate or the route to get to them would be far too narrow for a marathon). Once on the other side, it then goes past the edge of St Marks square, the Doge’s palace, before finally arriving at the finish line Riva dei Sette Martiri

It sounds like quite an interesting marathon, though part of me found it really interesting if the whole thing could be staged in the Venice canal streets. There must be 26 miles of canals, and it would be completely unique. I don’t think it would be allowed though because of health and safety, but would certainly attract a different type of athlete. The paving stones would have to be sorted out to prevent injury to even make it possible to propose such an idea. I dunno, it amused me for a while as to all the changes that would have to be done to accommodate such a unique course
But, if they can shut all the main streets of monaco to host the grand prix why not the same for the venice marathon?