‘Corso la meta’ - What’s in a name?

In the Italian city of Verona there was an annual running race called the ‘corsa del drappo verde’, or ‘run of the green cloth’. The name derives from the prize given to the race’s winner – a green silk cloth.

First held in the early 13th century, it was originally run on the first Sunday of the season of Lent each year. Competitors ran a course taking them around the walls and though the narrow streets of the old town finishing in the piazza di Sant'Anastasia where a banner near a column would read ‘Corso la meta’ (essentially meaning, ‘you have reached the end’).

Today, a series of races including a 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon is still held annually in Verona each February.

I chose the name ‘Corso la meta’ because it suits my aim for my first marathon – ‘to reach the end’. I have no lofty ambitions of achieving a ‘BQ’ (Boston Marathon qualifying time) or even breaking the mystical four hour finishing time. My aim is simply to finish, and to finish well. It won’t just be the end of a race on the day, but the end of a journey of several months leading up to the race. Who knows, it may be the first of many such journeys.

So, that’s the story behind the title of this blog. It’s not the sort of title that will ensure maximal ‘search engine optimisation’ or draw aficionados of running blogs here in droves – but that’s not the point. I chose it because it resonated with me and what I’m hoping to achieve this year. I’m hoping that the process of updating this blog regularly will help me to keep active, accountable and motivated. If, dear reader, you are able to come here and read something about my humble efforts that might inspire you to perhaps to lace up your shoes and hit the road running – then it will have succeeded beyond my expectations. I'd also be happy to receive any encouragement or advice you might be gracious enough to impart.

You can read more about the original corsa del drappo verde here.

Happy Running.