“Rome is not a city like the others. It is a great museum, a drawing room to tiptoe through,” said Alberto Sordi, a beloved figure in the Eternal City. But the rebellious energy of Mind the Gap has turned those timeless perceptions on their heads and shaken up the routines of Rome.

Feet flying over cobblestones, runners weaving through ancient alleys. Eyes darting between spiritual checkpoints and breathtaking views. The 10th edition of Mind the Gap brought together urban running, a treasure hunt, and an alleycat race, transforming Rome’s historic heart into an obstacle course filled with riddles and exertion.

After nearly 10 kilometers of frantic racing and strategic decisions, Didier Barontini and Hanna Bergström crossed the finish line first, successfully cracking this open-air escape room, framed by the world’s most famous cardines and decumani.

We gathered thoughts from both winners and other participants, featuring voices from local runners connected to the Souplesse community—who organized the event—and the vast Runaway group that traveled to bask under the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica from Milan, where the Mind the Gap journey began and has continued to evolve.

Didier Barontini – 1st Place Finisher

“I consider myself Roman, though my friends like to remind me I’m actually from Ostia. Experiencing an event like this here was amazing. As a photographer, I’m used to explore the city’s hidden corners, but I’d never run through it like this—especially at night. One moment that stands out was the start, seeing everyone in front of St. Peter’s. Another was near the end when I looked my competitors in the eyes and, without saying a word, went left! They were still figuring out the final directions, I managed to anticipate them and that gave me the edge. Strategy is also part of the Mind the Gap experience. I came just to participate—actually I was thinking of offering myself as a photographer for the event—so let’s say I got lucky. I didn’t know many people but ended up making friends with everyone. There were no real rivals; it was just fun for the whole community and I am sure that in the future more and more people will want to join the MTG.”

Hanna Bergström – 1st Place Finisher

“I live in Rome, but I’m originally from Stockholm. I recently connected with Souplesse and jumped at the chance to join MTG. I knew nothing about the event or its unique format. I started off thinking it was all about speed, but soon realized strategy was just as crucial. You need to know who you can trust and who to follow. Halfway through, I linked up with a friend from Rome. Coming from middle-distance running where everything is perfect and polished, MTG was a refreshing challenge. It’s chaotic, and you never run on perfect tracks. But that’s what makes it unique—it’s your own city trail. Running through Rome shifted my perspective, showing me how connected and compact everything is. It was strange but thrilling to be running between Romans and tourists. Now, I can’t wait to try more editions in other cities.

Lorenzo Boero

“I came from Milan, but I felt luckier than most at the start. I’ve spent a lot of time here recently for work. I’d been running around these parts, but it was tougher to recognize my landmarks at night, so I also relied on a Roman guide. I love races that add community and friendship to the equation rather than just focusing on performance. It becomes about doing something together – finding your way, supporting each other, or even tricking each other. It’s all in good fun. Rome was the perfect backdrop for that. Crossing the bridge to Castel Sant’Angelo and approaching the finish line was incredible. My only regret was taking on the Villa Medici climb by myself. My Roman guide warned me, and he was right – it was brutal. But running along Lungotevere soon made me forget the fatigue.”

Federica Beltrami

“I’m a regular—this was my 9th Mind the Gap out of 10. Each one’s different. You become smarter with experience, figuring out how to handle surprises and developing habits that give you an advantage over newcomers. That’s vital for me because I’m not super fast, so my experience boosts my chances. MTG isn’t just about speed – it’s a mix of so many things. In Venice, we raced at sunrise, so we were all by ourselves. Here in Rome, we hit the evening crowd – dodging people out for drinks and tourists. It felt surreal to have strangers cheering us on. The theme of ‘Cercà Maria pe’ Roma’ was fascinating, and I love how each MTG has a unique focus. I remember the Milan edition themed around sex shops. I hope I keep coming back, but you never know if you’ll get the invite – even for a loyal participant.”

Lorenzo Santucci

“I heard stories from the Venice MTG, and they got me interested. Then it came to Rome, and I couldn’t miss it. Running here at night is one of the most beautiful experiences – even for a Roman who complains about Rome. The checkpoints theme was great, and I’d even discussed a similar idea about running between Rome’s basilicas with my girlfriend’s dad recently. When I saw we had to use geographic coordinates, I thought I’d be lost – I’m terrible with maps – but I got by. This MTG made me appreciate the pure spirit of running beyond all the hype. Seeing the community-driven energy was incredible. The highlight for me was at the finish line when we all waited for the last runners to come in. It was a special moment. Now, I want to relive this in Milan.”

Greta Cerea

“I came from Milan, but this was my first Mind the Gap. Experiencing it in Rome was wonderful, especially since I let a Roman friend take the lead – we were a team. The start, standing just meters from St. Peter’s, was magical. As soon as I saw everyone running the other way, I told myself, ‘Just start running.’ The competitive side of me took over between the checkpoints – I really pushed myself. I wanted to win, and it bugs me that I didn’t. But it was inspiring to see how many people genuinely love running. If you’re part of MTG, it’s all about passion. I’m hoping to get invited back to the next editions. I’ve figured out how to navigate this special kind of race, and the next one’s all mine.”