Bellusco (Monza and Brianza) – Out of 62 editions it ran more than 40, effectively becoming the veteran of the event. His best time was just under the 4 hour mark and he placed in the top 20 a couple of times. Today he participates in a team with his son Davide, with whom he shares a passion for running, the mountains and for an initiative which has become an unmissable appointment for him. The Bellusco Franco Barzio76 springs on our shoulders, is the best story of what was and is there Monza-Resegonethe classic marathon of Brianza.
“I started at 24 and today I’m 76, which will become 77 in a couple of months – he says –. The effort is starting to be different now, but I’ll try to get to the end this year too. Of course, the weather isn’t very promising and that’s going to complicate things a little.” “The colleagues from the golden era are no longer here – he continues –: once upon a time you left and it was a disgrace to retreat, today if they can’t make it they just leave and go.” His most brilliant result “was a 14th place – he recalls –, while once I arrived 21st, but with my best time, which was 3 hours and 56 minutes. With the team of the time we also achieved the fifth or sixth fastest in the climb to Capanna Monza”.
And now? “I don’t want to say too much, let’s say that I would like to arrive in the maximum time – he smiles –. I’ll give it my all and we’ll see what happens”. A passion, that for Monza-Resegone, which arrived a bit by chance, but which never ran out. “I started going outside to run, then I always went to the mountains and so, when I learned there was this race, I started training – he says –. When I realized that it wasn’t just something for professionals I tried my hand at it Me too”.
“In its heyday it had almost become an illness: woe if you didn’t do the Monza-Resegone, it was the symbol of a season – continues Barzio –. We started with the conviction of beating our friends, we all knew each other, it was almost a family thing. And it was nice like that. Today I noticed a little more coldness: before when there was a new runner he was immediately welcomed into this extended family, now it happens much less if you overtook a friend in difficulty there to encourage each other. Every time has its own style.” This year too Barzio will be at the game, with bib number 191, on the team with his 39 year old son Davide (who inherited the historic shoe shop in Bellusco from his father) and another 50 year old friend.
