Mazara, PAM athletes participate in the “XX Concordia half marathon” in Agrigento • Front Page

In the unique setting in the world of the Valley of the Temples, on Sunday 14 April, the XX edition of the Half Marathon City of Agrigento took place, organized by the ASD “GS VALLE DEI TEMPLI AGRIGENTO”

The event was valid as the third round of the regional GP of half marathons. The race was canceled on February 24th due to the weather warning issued throughout the Agrigento province.

It was the great heat that dominated, a heat that exhausted the athletes (especially the less fast ones), causing the number of withdrawals to rise; in some cases the intervention of health workers was necessary. Some sunstroke and some cases of dehydration but nothing more serious, fortunately.

Route redesigned and revolutionized compared to past editions, the first 8 kilometers were experienced in San Leone, with a double passage on the Falcone Borsellino seafront, then the climb, and then the passage inside the Valley of the Temples, along the Via Sacra. The technical and dangerous descent and the immediate arrival once back on the seafront.

In the men’s competition, the Moroccan Outdoor MORAD EDDAROUACHI prevailed over Domenico Conti (Universitas Palermo) with the former having the upper hand, thanks to an extension in the final part of the course. The athlete who has lived in Italy for five years finished the race in 1h16’24, trailing Conti by just 15 seconds. For the athlete from Agrigento of Universitas the final time was 1h16’39. Third furthest was Alessio Azzarello in 1h18’31.

Two female protagonists Angela La Monica and Maria Grazia Bilello, with the former leading the race, at the 19th kilometer she was a victim of the heat, for her a slight illness, a fall is a bit of apprehension for those who were waiting for her at the ‘I arrive. Victory therefore for Maria Grazia Bilello of Universitas Palermo (1h31’31 her time). Second was the regular Florinda Mercadante (5 Torri Fiamme Crimisi) in 1h37’36, third, at the end of a generous performance, was Angela Messina (Polisportiva Atletica Mazara) in 1h43’38

Finally, by virtue of the results in Agrigento the new Gold jerseys are Simone Scordo and Maria Grazia Bilello.

At the start in this edition were 9 athletes from the Polisportiva Atletica Mazara – Nuova Gioventù, who, despite being put to the test by the great heat, as always performed at a high level.

The performances of an extraordinary Angela Messina stand out who with a time of 1:43′:38″ is third overall and second in the SF35 category and of the president Nicola Modica who with a time of 1:27:33 comes close to the podium by just 6″ and comes fourth in the SM45 category.

Following Gianni Di Matteo in the SM55 category with a time of 1.48.38, practically tied with a time of 1h 52’27” Enza Messina in the SF40 category Mercurio Diodato in the SM65 category, Roberto Giacalone in the SM45 category. Gianbattista Messina finished with a good 1:55:24 and Mariella Adamo, who started in less than perfect physical condition in the SF55 category with a time of 1:55:16 in the SM55 category. Pietro Apollo was forced to retire due to the intense heat.

Despite the heat (30°), despite the tough route, PAM demonstrated, as always, the determined character of the athletes that distinguish it.