We've talked about the verb correre before (check out this lesson). It's a verb that means a great many things so you'll want to be familiar with it. But in this lesson, we want to talk about correre meaning "to run," "to race," and "to rush."

Correre can be a bit confusing in the context of sports.

Correre can mean "to run." Some people say fare footing, but footing has gone out of style, for the most part. 

Sì, tu invece sveglia all'alba, a correre... -Certo. -Scusa, non hai sempre detto che sono patetici quelli che fanno footing a una certa età?

Yes, but you, up at dawn, running... -Of course. -Excuse me, haven't you always said that those who go running at a certain age are pathetic?

Captions 37-39, Provaci ancora prof! S2E3 Dietro la porta - Part 1

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When I say, vado a correre, that usually means "I'm going running (on foot)."

Someone might ask you where you were:

Dov'eri? -A correre.

Where were you? -Out running. 

So it's good to keep in mind that you need the preposition a before the verb in the infinitive. 

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Correre can also refer to bicycle racing. Lots of people ride bikes, but when you are part of a racing team, even an amateur racing team, you are un corridore or, if you are a female, una corridora or una corritrice.

If you just ride a bike for fun or sport but you don't compete, you'll usually call yourself un ciclista or una ciclista. 

Monte Pellegrino è anche un luogo d'incontro di molti sportivi, specie i ciclisti, che amano le ripide salite e discese.

Monte Pellegrino is also a place for sportsmen to get together, especially cyclists, who love the steep climbs and descents.

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Or you can say something like, Mi piace andare in bici.

Andare in bicicletta è veramente divertente.

Riding a bike is really fun.

Caption 31, In giro per l'Italia Lucca - Part 3

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It's common, when referring to a bike ride, to say fare un giro in bici/bicicletta (to go for a bike ride).

Faccio un giro in bici (I'm going for a bike ride).

Poter andare a fare un giro in bicicletta dove mi pare a me [sic], mi piace tanto.

To be able to go for a ride on my bike wherever I want, I like that a lot.

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Correre can also refer to rushing around without having anything to do with bicycles or running.

Dove corri, Pisane'? -Tengo [napoletano: ho] da fare.

Where are you rushing off to, Pisane'? -I have stuff to do.

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The noun form is la corsa. It can be a race of any kind. 

E per gli amanti delle camminate, ogni sabato mattina alle nove c'è la possibilità di partecipare al "Park Run", la corsa che si svolge sulle mura di Lucca.

And for those who love to walk, every Saturday morning at nine, there's the possibility of participating in "Park Run," the race that happens on the walls of Lucca.

Captions 39-42, In giro per l'Italia Lucca - Part 4

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E si vede un'incredibile scena di corsa di carri,

And you see an incredible chariot race scene,

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Another word for race is gara, which can also mean "competition."

La gara più importante era una corsa tra cavalli.

The most important competition was a horse race.

Caption 29, In giro per l'Italia Roma Piazza Navona

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You can also use the noun la corsa when you have raced around trying to get stuff done. 

Ho fatto una corsa (I came in a hurry/I ran around).

Or you can say this a different way.

Sono di corsa (I am pressed for time). 

As you can see, correre, together with its related words, is very useful in many contexts!

Thanks for reading!

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