The final day of the twenty-seventh edition of the Placentia Half Marathon (PHM) 2024 took place in the splendid setting of the Grazzano Visconti Castle, marking the third year since the event resumed after the break caused by Covid-19. The organizers, Alessandro Confalonieri and Pietro Perotti, warmly thanked all the people and institutions that made this extraordinary event possible, including the participants, volunteers, associations and companies that supported the initiative. Nearly ten thousand participants took part in the events of 4 and 5 May, receiving the warm support of fellow citizens along the streets of Piacenza. After the initial greetings from the Prefect of Piacenza Paolo Ponta, the Police Commissioner of Piacenza Ivo Morelli, the Ass. at Sport Mario Dadati, the Coni delegate Robert Gionelli, and Cristina Savi representing the Visconti family who own the castle, the sums collected during the initiative were communicated: Thanks to the “Discover Piacenza” initiative and the offers of the food trucks, they 2,000 euros were collected, delivered to the La Casa di Iris Hospice and to the president Sergio Fuochi. The 100×100 Progetto Vita raised 20,000 euros for the maintenance of the defibrillator network and the updating of signs on the cycle and pedestrian paths of Piacenza, with Ernesto Grillo representing the association. The Pedibus Minimarathon raised 6,750 euros, donated to the president of Unicef, Lidia Pastorini.
The evening also saw several special awards ceremonies, with awards given to runners, blood donors and other personalities involved. Technical award to the first Piacenza people classified in the half marathon for Alessandra Carlà and Massimo Sartori, representing Matteo Maiocchi. Blood Donor Awards ceremony for the youngest and oldest, Nicola Marchesi (born in 2002) and Mauro Gozzo received plaques, Cantina Valtidone sparkling wine and Grana Padano from Confcooperative. The winners in the general classification were awarded, Eria Francesca Casetta from Milan and Simone Tosini from Mantua, who in addition to plaques and Cantina Valtidone prizes received two vouchers for an overnight stay and breakfast at the Hotel Ovest of Piacenza Hotel Group. Donors in Uniform Award to Lieutenant Colonel Massimo Nafisio of the 2nd Engineer Regiment Pontieri of Piacenza. A special prize was awarded to Guerriero Dovani, the fastest seventy-year-old with a time of 2:09:36. Recognition for two volunteers such as Carlo Sartori and Alessandra Bonomini, and a plaque for them for the commitment and competence demonstrated over the years in the management of specific sectors of the event: Sartori for the half marathon competitive race and Bonomini for the Pedibus Minimarathon.
The final moment of the evening was dedicated to the delivery of the traditional Pigotte, made by volunteers, to the institutions, sponsors and associations of the PHM. Among the recipients: State Police, Prefecture, Municipality of Piacenza, 118, Municipal Police, 2nd Bridge Engineer Regiment, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, Fire Brigade, Emilia Romagna Region, Province of Piacenza, Coni, Provincial Education Office, Foundation of Piacenza and Vigevano, Emilia Volunteer Service Center, Civil Protection Coordination, Red Cross, Anpas, Misericordia, CSI, Progetto Vita, Donatorinati State Police, Alpini Piacenza, Sailors of Italy, National Association of Fire Brigades, Piacenza Gymnic Club, Gelindo Bordin Podenzano, Italpose Gossolengo, Costa Casaliggio Gragnano, Moto Club Cavaciuti Piacenza, Moto Club Polizia di Stato Piacenza, Libertas Spes Piacenza.
