Pistoia, 22 June 2024 – The classic appointment with the Pistoia-Abetone Ultramarathon 50 km and its load of history and sport. An adventure now in its 47th edition thanks to the passionate support of an entire community. The alternation between uphills and downhills creates the most difficult route to tackle for any runner, the Pistoiese Mountains act as a theater with its evocative beauty, the many collateral initiatives involve everyone, sportsmen and non-athletes, in a unique unifying moment.
PATH
Longer than a marathon, harder than a “classic” one hundred kilometre, the Pistoia-Abetone is a race with a thousand difficulties, above all due to the atypical nature of the route which presents only 5 km of slight slope in the initial phase, which then gives rise to a breathtaking alternation of ascent and descent. The former prevails (31 km!), but the downhill sections also constitute a severe and demanding test. They break the rhythm and cause cramps in athletes. The start is at 7.30 from the historic Piazza del Duomo and, passing through Via Dalmazia and Capostrada, the super-marathon runners reach Ponte Calcaiola where they take State Road 66 along which much of the race will unfold. The flying finish line is set at Le Piastre (Km 14), after almost 9 km of ascent with an average gradient of 7% and ramps of up to 11% (the most challenging stretch is crossing the town of Piazza). The subsequent “Rhine Valley” (6 km slightly downhill to reach Pontepetri) facilitates high speeds, but can encourage athletes to expend more energy than necessary, an expense paid dearly at the end of the race. Towards Tafoni and Maresca (23rd km) the road climbs up and then dives towards Gavinana and then San Marcello Pistoiese where the competitive intermediate finish line is located (30km). Still a treacherous descent (10% gradient) towards Mammiano and La Lima (km 33), the starting point of the final climb. Seventeen kilometers of climb (average gradient 5.5%) with a first stretch (up to Casotti di Cutigliano) apparently affordable, but in reality ideal for “splicing” the muscles of athletes already worn out by the effort and a cruel finale with 13 km of climbing full of hairpin bends (with peaks of 12% in the town of Pianosinatico), to reach the finish line in Piazza delle Piramidi, where the apotheosis is celebrated for all those able to complete the grueling competition.
THE ORGANIZATION
The competition is sponsored by the Tuscany Region. The Permanent Promotion Committee is made up of the Province of Pistoia, the Municipalities affected by the passage of the race, namely Abetone Cutigliano, San Marcello Piteglio, Pistoia and the ASCD Silvano Fedi of Pistoia which takes care of the organisation. The Pistoia Fire Brigade Command, UNPLI Pro Loco Provincial Committee, FIDAL Regional Committee, CONI Provincial Committee, UISP Provincial Committee, CNA Pistoia and AVIS Pistoia are also part of the Promoting Committee. The Athletics Sector collaborates with UISP Pistoia – Aglianese Running 1983 – Casalguidi Athletics – Quarrata Running – La Stanca Valenzatico Running – Borgo a Buggiano Athletics – Berzantina Marathon Runners – ARCI Campiglio – Jolly Runner Prato – GS Run…dagi – GP CAI Pistoia – Montecatini Marathon – Florence Marathon – Pace Makers “Give me a smile” – Le Lumache Mezzana – AC Capostrada – CNA Pensioners, ARCI Campiglio, Circolo ARCI Piazza, Italian Alpine Club Pistoia, Val Sestaione Trekking Group, Cutigliano Alpine Section, Abetone Alpine Section, Italian Red Cross Cireglio and the Pro Loco of Cireglio, Le Piastre, Pontepetri, Maresca, Gavinana, San Marcello, Cutigliano, Pianosinatico, Pian degli Ontani and Abetone.
VALIDITIES
The race is valid as the Italian Fidal 50km Absolute and Master Championship, as the Italian IUTA 50km Uphill Championship, for the IUTA Italia Grand Prix of Ultramarathon and Regional Criterium Central area, for the National Championship (Abetone finish line) and Regional Championship (intermediate finish line San Marcello Pistoiese) Gran Fondo Donatori AVIS and for the “Romagna-Tuscany” Challenge. Furthermore, after the positive experience of 2014 on the occasion of the Bicentenary of the Carabinieri, this year Pistoia-Abetone established the Armed Forces and Police Forces Trophy, reserved for members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force and Carabinieri) and police forces (Financial Police, State Police, Penitentiary Police and local police). The intermediate finish line in San Marcello counts as the UISP Tuscany Regional 30km road running championship. The Pistoia-Abetone is also an important event at an international level and has been valid several times in the past for the IAU World Trophy, the IAU European Challenge, the Uisp Gran Fondo National Championship, for that of Sports Veterans and Panathlon International, for the Italian Fire Brigade Relay Championship.
THE ROUTES
There are five routes ready to satisfy the commitment of every type of runner. The 50 kilometers (Pistoia-Abetone) is the dream, the myth of every runner. Only 10,070 of them (1125 women) managed to complete the terrible journey in 46 editions. 934 men and 91 women did it at least 5 times. To date, 900 registrations have already been reached (maximum limit for this goal). The 30 kilometers (Pistoia-San Marcello) is a useful test for those preparing for an autumn marathon or for those who intend to try their hand at the longer route in the future. Exceeded 250 members to date. The “Free Walking” walk (San Marcello-Abetone, distance 20 kilometers) has become the success of the latest editions (over 200 participants in 2019). A way to test yourself in the last kilometers of the race, cross the finish line which is “only for the strongest” and receive a special medal, certifying an undertaking in this case truly “within everyone’s reach”. The “Fourth Finish Line” (Le Regine-Abetone, distance 3 kilometres), is the route reserved for disabled people, companions and all those who intend to join this now famous walk (done in friendship) with free registration. Finally, trekking, with the “Night crossing from the Portafranca refuge to Abetone” (about 8 hours), to invite lovers of evocative off-road excursions to the start, in this case “by moonlight” (the start is in the heart of the Night).
THE FOURTH GOAL
The pride of Pistoia-Abetone, the Fourth Finish Line is the most beautiful face of the event, open to everyone, in particular disabled people, their companions, all volunteers and representatives of the institutions. Conceived in 2002 by the then Sports Councilor of the Province, Floriano Frosetti, it is organized by the “Permanent Promoting Committee” in this case the Province of Pistoia, the Municipalities of Pistoia, Abetone Cutigliano, San Marcello Piteglio and Ascd Silvano Fedi. Also supported by the Tuscany Region, it embodies a message that goes far beyond the single sporting event. It is an invitation to knowledge and a more mature awareness of those who are different from oneself, and has always been supported by the provincial administration of Pistoia with the collaboration and support of bodies and associations operating in the area to help the weakest. The departure is scheduled for 9am from the square of Le Regine, for three kilometers (the last of the race route) of serenity, fun and attention towards those who, more than anyone else, have the right to have fun and feel involved. Anyone can join and at least 300 participants are expected.
THE NUMBERS
The growth of Pistoia-Abetone is now a consolidated reality and not only in the number of participants. 400 volunteers work on the preparation and management of the event, 200 of whom are involved in the 16 refreshment points set up along the route as well as the two refreshment points at the arrivals in San Marcello and Abetone and at the departure party in Abetone. Athletes are offered water, tea, supplements, bread with jam/honey/hazelnut cream, fruit (bananas, apricots, peaches, watermelon, melon, lemons), also products for celiacs (in collaboration with the Aic Italian Celiac Association) with ecological glasses respecting the nature that hosts almost the entire race route. In total, the people who revolve around the event including athletes, professionals, volunteers, the public and accompanying sportspeople well exceed 15,000. This only concerns the race weekend, because interest in the event is high throughout the year both in Italy and abroad. Books and material from old editions At the Pistoia-Abetone Expo (Saturday 29 June from 9.30am to 8pm) it will be possible to purchase material from old editions and the three books published on “Pistoia-Abetone”
SOLIDARITY’
A solidarity competition – As always the event, beyond the enormous sporting and promotional value for the territory, combines attention to solidarity and attention towards associations in the sector, with the combination towards “Dynamo Camp” to which the competitive finish line in San Marcello Pistoiese (30 kilometres). It is then superfluous to talk about the “Fourth Finish Line”, the exciting “walk” that takes disabled people, companions, volunteers and representatives of the institutions to the summit, perhaps the most significant moment of the entire race. Finally, it is worth mentioning the fruitful collaboration with ETS “Regalami Un Sorriso”, the official photo web server of Pistoia-Abetone for some years. The proceeds obtained from the purchase of photos of the race by the athletes, or in any case by the participants/spectators, is used to buy and distribute defibrillators to associations, bodies or sports facilities in the area (10 have already been donated). The organization’s invitation is therefore to contact ETS “Gift me a Smile” exclusively for images of the race.
THE LITERARY COMPETITION
The competition is combined with the 4th Literary Competition “Travelling… in time and space” (fiction and poetry), sponsored by Itas Assicurazioni, which has enjoyed gratifying success in previous editions. The winners’ awards ceremony will be held on Saturday 29 June at 5pm as part of the Pistoia-Abetone Expo.
THE PRE-RACE
Mountain excursions After the notable success of previous editions, guided excursions are proposed again to raise awareness of the area crossed by the Pistoia-Abetone from an environmental, landscape and gastronomic point of view. This year there are three appointments: – 28 June to discover the regional state forest of Maresca – 29 June visit to the oriented forest of Campolino – 30 June visit to the regional state forest of Abetone Departure at 8.30 am (duration approximately 5 hours). Information Adriano Sichi (3293605948) and Roberto Mazzocchi (3711401083). The “Welcome to Pistoia” Expo On Saturday 29 June the appointment is at the “La Cattedrale” exhibition center in Via Pertini with the “Pistoiabetone” Expo (non-stop hours 9.30-20), exhibition point as well as headquarters for the delivery of bibs and race packages. There will also be stands from other running races. Moreno Burattini’s conference On Saturday 29 June 2024, at the La Cattedrale exhibition center in Pistoia, Moreno Burattini will hold a conference, conversing with the journalist Pierluigi Gaspa and commenting on the projection of numerous photos and illustrations, on his now forty-year activity in the world of comics and publishing, linked to the characters of Zagor and Tex but also to theatre, literature, non-fiction, the publication of books of aphorisms, epigrams and jokes. As a true “writing runner”, Burattini will talk about the recent achievement of thirty thousand comic pages written for Sergio Bonelli Editore, comparing it to the 50 kilometer uphill route of the Pistoia-Abetone race, as he was also born and resides in the village of Gavinana which marks exactly halfway
REGISTRATIONS
Registration for the 50 and 30 kilometers closes on Sunday 23 June while it will be possible to register until 28 June only for Free Walking, Trekking and “Fourth Finish Line”.
