Sun and ideal temperature in Marsala for the ninth edition of the City of Wine Marathon, a stage of the Sicilian Grand Prix of half marathons held in the Lilibetan city, a now classic event for all Sicilian athletics. Over 700 participants in the race, set up on the usual 7 km route mainly located along the seafront, always giving a glimpse of the truly dazzling Egadi Islands thanks to the clear skies. Climatic conditions that favored great base speed along the circuit, with final victory for a non-Sicilian rider.
Federico Casati is in fact born in Lecco and lives in Geneva, Switzerland, but he often comes to Marsala, so much so that he was second last year. This time the representative of DK Runners Milano, in preparation for the Rome half marathon which will be run in conjunction with the European Championships in June, achieved full results, crossing the finish line in 1h11’09” with over two minutes ahead of Pietro Dario Ferrante (Universitas Palermo) who stopped the clocks at 1h13’14”. Third position for the Maltese Joseph Borg in 1h14’33”, ahead of Pietro Palladino (Team Ingargiola/1h15’58”) and Federico Negrini (As Lanzada/1h16’06”).
Among the women, victory went to Claudia Licciardi (Atl.Bagheria) who in 1h26’13” achieved the best time on the course since it was changed. The defending champion Maria Grazia Bilello (Universitas Palermo) was beaten, second in 1h27’25”, third to her personal best Luana Russo (Sciacca Running) in 1h29’44”.
Once again, all the citizens lined up alongside Pol. Marsala Doc, starting with the Municipality with the Mayor Massimo Grillo who officially started the demonstration. The Sicilian circuit thus closes its first part of the season: it will resume on 6 October with the test scheduled in Cefalù.
