What pushes a complete non-runner to sign up for the Rome Half Marathon? It's Zalando's fault, mainly

When I was 6 years old, my mother told me: "Now that you're starting elementary school, you also have to pick a sport." I had zero intention of doing so. I gave aerobics, dance, and karate a shot. I lasted two months at most. For a brief period, I dabbled in swimming. Eventually, she threw in the towel. My path was paved with long walks, stacks of books, and no upper-body strength whatsoever to carry grocery bags. The gym? Never a realistic option. Then, more than 20 years later, something shifted. I can't quite pinpoint what. Simply put, one day in February 2026, I thought maybe I wanted to do something with my body. It wasn't the first time I'd attempted it, but this time around I had the support and company of a running buddy who was a bit more athletic than me, a pair of pre-existing sneakers that didn't require an extra purchase (sparing me the mental pressure of investing in gear I’d then feel obligated to maximize), and, above all, the urge to blow off some nervous steam after long winter days.

How (and why) I started running

Running is democratic in the sense that all you really need to get started is a decent pair of shoes. You can run wherever you want (maybe not on the highway, but you get the point), whenever you want, and for whatever distance feels right. I started from ground zero... quite literally. I’d run for 3 minutes, walk for 1 minute and a half, rinse and repeat two or three times, and then head home happy with a clearer head. That was more than enough, even if my friends and parents teased me a bit. My lungs and legs weren't up for much else anyway. In April, I shared my newfound hobby on Instagram. By then, I could barely manage 5k. I already felt like an athletic icon, armed with my little running playlist (packed with Slayyyter and SOPHIE, mostly) and my fresh spring activewear sets bought, ironically enough, on Zalando.

How I trained for the Rome Half Marathon with Zalando

Right in the middle of this slow, excruciatingly slow climb toward a different, more athletic version of myself, an invite landed in my inbox: running the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon 2026 by Brooks as part of the Zalando team. Naturally, this completely transformed my relationship with running. Suddenly, an actual training plan was in order. Instead of heading out once a week, I had to at least double it (to this day, I've still never managed three times a week). I had to start paying attention to small details like pace and mileage. In the meantime, summer rolled in, bringing along its average 32-degree heat. I did the unthinkable: I packed my running shoes (a pair of Nike Vomero 18s, which I ended up sticking with, in a different colorway, for race day) into my holiday duffle bag, and logged miles just about everywhere. By the Sardinian coast and across the Hyblaean hills. Was I thrilled? Not entirely. Was I satisfied? Absolutely, even though I had to accept that the looming urgency of the half marathon was no excuse to recklessly ramp up mileage or run far faster than my body could handle. In that sense, training wasn't just a way to unwind mind and body, but also a masterclass in consistency, patience, and physical as well as mental pacing. Turns out, running really does do it all.

How the October 18 race actually went down

I woke up on the morning of October 18 in a hazy mix of blissful ignorance and sheer panic. Prior to the half marathon, I had never run more than 15 kilometers in one go. I simply hadn't had the time. I got dressed. For the occasion, I picked out a full look from Zalando: black Asics 2-in-1 running shorts, Nike Vomero 18 sneakers, a lilac Adidas top, a black Nike cap, and a sky-blue Salomon hydration vest for my water and go-to running gummies. The start felt strange. I went out way too fast, and around the 6k mark, I genuinely panicked that I wouldn't make it. Then came the runner's high, that euphoric sweet spot where your body finally settles into the groove and finds comfort inside the effort. Right after, a pretty solid crash hit, first mental, then physical. I had never pushed that distance before, and it was completely uncharted territory for me. Zalando’s cheering zone, posted along the second half of kilometer 18, was a lifesaver. The final 3 kilometers were brutal, and crossing the finish line felt like pure, unadulterated relief, at least at first. Then, slowly and over a heaping plate of pasta, came the sheer joy of having accomplished something that once felt impossible, the pride of telling absolutely everyone (and I mean everyone, sorry not sorry), and deep gratitude toward my body for carrying me through something so tough. Now, 10 days later, I want to sign up for another. Maybe this spring, in Milan.

In the words of Nina Graf-Vlachy, General Manager Sports at Zalando

Anxious about my amateur status right before the athletic event of the year (mine, at least), I posed a few questions to Nina Graf-Vlachy, General Manager Sports at Zalando. "For Zalando, major race partnerships across European capitals - like the BMW Berlin Marathon, the Copenhagen Half Marathon, and the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon by Brooks - serve as our real-world anchor," she explained. "Showing up directly on the asphalt allows us to transition from being part of our customers' closet to truly being part of their run. Marathons allow us to demonstrate our multi-specialist strategy in action, showing how technical product authority naturally bridges with personal style and self-expression." Fortunately for me, the shopping experience is built to cater to every type of runner: "For advanced runners seeking a technical edge, our Race Lab series provides independent evaluations of carbon stiffness and foam mechanics, supported by our AI Running Assistant. For beginners, our 'At a Glance' product summaries translate complex technical specs - like cushioning, stability, and heel drop - into plain, helpful language to remove decision fatigue." In short, even if you’re a complete novice, there are no hurdles and, more importantly, zero judgment. The perfect closing thought for this piece comes courtesy of James Rothwell, Senior Vice President Marketing: "If Zalando were a marathon runner, we’d have cleared the opening miles, settled into a strong, confident stride, and would now be hitting that crucial midway mark - around kilometer 20 to 25 - where momentum really kicks into gear."