Best known as the site of Napoleon's exile, the Elba island's long history stretches back to pre-Roman times. The largest island in Tuscany, Elba is also part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park, and the third largest island in Italy, after Sicily and Sardinia. Since 1991 the "pearl of the Tuscan archipelago" hosts the Giro podistico dell'Isola d'Elba. This is the oldest Italian relay running event, and this year it will be celebrated on May 18-24, its twenty-fifth consecutive edition. Get ready for a week of running up and down the island. You have never ran a race like this one. It is a spectacular tour of the best the island has to offer, divided into five small races between 13 and 15 kilometers, on mixed terrain, along the sea and up on the mountains. And May is the perfect month for a spring vacation in the Mediterranean sea, among Italian runners.

The program of the "Giro" is as follows: (Sunday 17) meet and greet; (Monday 18) 6k in Portoferraio on the walls of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I de' Medici's fortress; (Tuesday 19) 12k point-to-point from Bagnaia to Rio nell'Elba; (Wednesday 20) 11.5k in Porto Azzurro going through the local prison courts, and evening fireworks in Portoferraio; (Thursday 21) rest day; (Friday 22) run in Marina di Campo; (Saturday 23) last run in Capoliveri.

The "Giro" welcomes between 500 and 800 runners each year. Among them, Gianni Poli and Orlando Pizzolato (winners of the New York City Marathon), and Laura Fogli (holder of the Italian marathon record). No U.S. runner has been there yet. Request more details.

Along the river Pesa, in San Casciano Val di Pesa, in the province of Firenze, there is a trail for runners and cyclists. It is a very nice, flat course in the middle of the countryside that goes from Montelupo Fiorentino to the town of Sambuca. If you want to run for ten kilometers or so, you can start from Cerbaia, and run towards Sambuca, through Botte, Calzaiolo and end in Bargino: just follow the signs for "Percorso Val di Pesa".

SKORA TEMPO - Skora has progressed from two initial styles to an entire collection of focused products. The focus is on natural running and zero drop. The Tempo broadens the focus to include taller stack heights and additional cushioning. The upper is a gauzy mesh with soft sueded reinforcements on the interior smoothing the feel through the arch and the heel, and the toe is reinforced with a suede toe cap and minimal welded overlays at the toe. The lacing is asymmetrical, offering a secure feel. The midsole has the tallest stack height of the Skora line, 25mm, that softens the ride, in part thanks to the polyurethane insole and Strobel board. The outersole is a tough rubber layer that wears very well, and its rounded shape matches the heel and allow the shoe to roll well without excessive toe spring, just a gentle feel that works well. The looks match the performance as you will be seen coming from a good distance away, with the neon color scheme, though there are more subdued choices as well. Either way the performance is excellent, and earned the Tempo our award for Best Minimalist Shoe 2015.

Testers: "Lots of toe room, but snug, not sloppy. The ride has a good feel, soft but responsive. Light, fast, and cushy."

Sizes: Men 7-13; Women 5-11
Weight: 7.9 oz. (men's size 11); 6.3 oz. (women's size 8)
Heel/Forefoot Drop: 0 mm
Shape: curved
Construction: Strobel slip lasted, PU Strobel board
Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics, for faster paced runs