The 50th edition of the Tour of the Walls was presented in the Tapestry Room of the municipal residence of Ferrara. The Walking tour of the Walls of Ferrara reaches an important milestone: 50 editions for an event which saw the participation of many local and national middle distance champions with the charm of the race on the Walls, the historical-cultural symbol of Ferrara. Only Covid stopped the race in 2020 and 2021.
The event will take place on May 1st with the patronage of many bodies, including the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Ferrara, Coni and Uisp Ferrara.
The presentation was attended by the Councilor for Sport of the Municipality of Ferrara, the Councilor for the Budget of the Emilia Romagna Region, Eleonora Banzi president of Uisp Ferrara, Luciano Mazzanti president of Asd Doro, Francesca Palazzi president of Anffas Ferrara, representatives of Coop Alleanza 3.0 members and representatives of Avis Provincial and Municipal
The organization is Monica Zannini and Luciano Mazzanti from the Doro sports club and with the support of many sponsors: including the main sponsors Coop Alleanza 3.0 which will manage the refreshments along the route and at the finish line and Banca Centro Emilia which contributed to the creation of the bibs with the race chip.
The Walking Tour of the Walls of Ferrara it is one of the longest running running events at a regional level. Here Massimo Magnani won six times, Orlando Pizzolato and Luciano Mazzanti battled on the dirt road of the Mura. Among the women, five podiums for Laura Ricci, but we must dutifully remember the four victories of Margherita Gargioni, the youngest winner (at 12 years old), and the three of Marina Zanardi. And how can we not mention many unforgettable champions such as Laura Fogli (first in 1974) and Emma Scaunich.
In this half century of history the Giro has essentially preserved the original route, even if problems related to the city’s traffic have forced the organizers to make changes. The Giro is a great event not only for athletes from Ferrara and beyond (many participants from other provinces) but it is a consolidated event for many families who rediscover the unique charm of running and walking on the Walls on a day of celebration.
DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL FROM THE RACECOURSE
The Ferrara Hippodrome will be the venue for a long day of sport and fun: the first to start will be the children of the mini-running race; therefore, the start for the athletes who will cover 12.5 km. Walkers and Nordic walking will start at the rear of the competitive ones. At 11.20 am the “Galop Gambero Trophy” will be held again, a retrorunning race over a distance of one mile (1609 metres), open to competitive and amateurs.
PATH
The athletes will have to compete on a single lap of 12.5 km starting from the municipal racecourse. You will travel about 1,000 meters on the track and then exit the facility towards the Walls. The runners will touch some of the most evocative points such as the bastions of Love and Mountain, Porta degli Angeli, the Prospettiva di Corso Giovecca and the Torrione San Giovanni. In total there will be approximately 4.4 km on the Walls and 5.5 in the Under Walls. You will return to the Hippodrome for the last 200 meters or so still on the track before the finish line. Three refreshment points along the route.
WALK
The walk organized in collaboration with Anffas Ferrara will cover a distance of approximately 7 km. It is non-competitive, there will be no ranking and everyone will be able to do it at a pace suited to their physical fitness. It will run along the initial route of the competitive race and will return to the racecourse, always following the route on the walls.
MINI RUNNING
Avis Trophy: children and young people will run inside the racecourse ring divided into age categories and will complete ½ lap, 1 lap and 2 laps based on their year of birth. The top 3 in each category will receive a cup offered by Avis and everyone will receive a medal.
MEDAL
The medal celebrating the 50th edition of the Giro delle Mura next year will be around the necks of all the finishers of the competitive race, while special medals will be awarded to the children of the mini-running. The metal medal is a tribute to the Estense Castle, symbol of Ferrara, which dominates the historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also a museum.
RECORD
Massimo Magnani holds the record for victories on the Walls, 6 (1974, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1987, 1988). Five victories for Laura Ricci who races for Corradini Calcestruzzi (1999, 2000, 2006, 2013 and 2014). The fastest in this race were Giuseppe Pambianchi (39.47, set in 1980) and Isabella Morlini who stopped the clock at 44.20 in 2016. Last year, Giorgio Scialabba of the Gp Alpi Apuane and Francesca Cocchi of Corradini crossed the finish line first Modena concrete.
DEPARTURES
• 9am Mini running
• 9.45 am competitive race over 12.5 km
• followed by walking 7 km and Nordic walking 12 km
• 11.20 am Gambero al Galloppo, retrorunning race over a distance of one mile (1609 metres).
Timing will be by Icron.
PRIZES
There will be many prizes for the Giro delle Mura: in addition to the first 3 men and women overall, the first 130 men and 70 women will be awarded. The prizes were offered by the sponsors. There will be no categories.
REGISTRATIONS
Competitive: 12 euros until April 29th, then the fee will rise to 16 euros and it will also be possible to register on the day of the race. Walk: 5 euros. Free registration for the Mini running race. It is possible to register on the portal www.icron.it, directly at the headquarters of the Polisportiva Doro in via Franceschini 9 or by email [email protected]
