A constantly growing movement. It is that of athletics, which attracts more and more young people in Italy, also thanks to the great results achieved by the Azzurri. The latest in chronological order came from the European Championships which took place until a few days ago in Rome, in which the tricolor waved more than any other flag on the various podiums. And the fact that athletics is a sport that is increasingly appreciated by young people is confirmed by the next edition of the Strafoligno, the fastest ten kilometer night race in the country. The competition, organized by Atletica Winner, will take place next Friday (21 June). Now in its twelfth edition, Strafoligno is ready to bring top athletes to the city. Many young people are ready to compete together with them. “From the meeting at the ‘Blasone’ to Strafoligno, the latest events organized in the city have shown the centrality of Foligno in the running sector – states Giorgio Fusaro, president of Atletica Winner -. At the event the day after tomorrow, top athletes and many registered players are expected: we should exceed 700 participants. Of these, there are many members under 35, this shows how the movement is expanding and our company has contributed to its growth in the area”. And, precisely in terms of young people, it is Fabio Pantalla, technical director of Atletica Winner, who goes into detail: “At Strafoligno the under 35s who will participate will be 25% of the total members. The best races of this type in Italy do not go beyond 10-12%, which means that our ten kilometer race will see more than double the average number of young people who usually sign up for this type of race.” In fact, if the “Città di Foligno” half marathon which takes place in October appeals to a large audience of athletes, “the Strafoligno – specifies Pantalla – attracts young people much more. The choice to move the event to Friday evening instead of Sunday morning, as happened in the past, could have been a risk. And instead this choice in recent years has proved us right.” As always, collaboration with the Municipality of Foligno and the local police force will be important to ensure that everything runs smoothly for athletes and citizens.
“Congratulations – says the mayor, Stefano Zuccarini – to Atletica Winner for this organisation, as always you have done a great job”. The route includes three laps in the historic center of Foligno. We start from Parco dei Canapè, and then pass via Madonna delle Grazie, via Franco Ciri, via Bolletta, via Garibaldi, via Umberto I, via Oberdan and, from via Chiavellati, we return to Canapè. The first “heat” of starters is scheduled for 8.30pm. At the start there will be all women and men with a “credit” over 40 minutes. At 9.45pm the departure of all the men under forty minutes, therefore of all the elite athletes, is scheduled. The expected high temperatures will certainly not affect the show. “It will be a stellar race, difficult to find in other parts of Italy – announces Fabio Pantalla -. There are many runners who run under three minutes per kilometer and, in addition to many great Italian athletes, there is also a representation of Africans from various nations. The women’s race will have the highest technical level ever, like the men’s one.” Among the “big names” are Alessia Tuccitto and Stefano Massimi. The latter was the only one to win both Strafoligno and the “Città di Foligno” half marathon.
