PISTOIA – The Pistoia-Abetone has always been in the small group of the most important Ultramarathons in Europe, feared and respected by runners. Difficult, harsh, impervious to fashion and proud of having managed to reach 47 editions, with the obstinacy of those who decide to get there at all costs despite the obstacles.
The same desire put forward by Olympian Artidoro Berti who, alone, on 20 October 1968, decided to reach the “summit of the Falco”, an epic feat at the time. Since 1976 the passionate managers, members and athletes of Silvano Fedi – with the fundamental support of the entire Pistoia running movement – have symbolically repeated its journey, staging one of the most fascinating and evocative races on the calendar and which, thanks to the “IAU” recognition Bronze Label”, ranks at the top of Europe in the world of ultramarathons. The Italian titles for the 50 km distance will also be awarded on Sunday 30 June.
The memorials
As usual, the final finish line in Abetone will award some “Memorials” in memory of people who have left their mark on the race, namely:
18th Memorial “Artidoro Berti”, Olympian from Pistoia and inventor of the race (he ran it alone on 20 October 1968), to the 1st ranked company;
23rd Memorial “Sergio Pozzi”, record holder of the race from 1980 to 2005 and three times victorious in three participations, 1st overall;
21st Memorial “Lucia Prioreschi”, mountain journalist who passed away prematurely, to 1st place woman;
12th Memorial “Alessandro Del Cittadino”, athlete of the organizing club “Silvano Fedi”, to the 1st man and 1st woman classified, belonging to clubs in the province of Pistoia;
8th Memorial “Roberto Argentieri”, athlete of the “Silvano Fedi”, 1st place in the “Veterans” category;
8th Memorial “Fiorello Maestripieri”, athlete of the Campiglio Running Group, 1st place in the “Silver” category;
5th Memorial “Tiziano Spampani”, athlete of the “Silvano Fedi” and speaker of the finish line in Le Piastre, to the 1st man and 1st woman belonging to Tuscan clubs who will finish at the finish line in Abetone.
Records to beat
Number of members (all milestones) – 1925 (2019 Edition)
Ranked in Abetone – 835 (2019 Edition)
Best male performance Abetone (km 50) – 3h 13′ 29” Roberto Barbi, 2007
Best female performance Abetone (km 50) – 3h 58′ 19” Simona Staicu (Hun), 2015
Best male performance San Marcello (km 30) – 1h 49′ 21” Massimo Mei, 2011
Best female performance San Marcello (km 30) – 2h 15′ 08” Ilaria Bianchi, 2011
Maximum number of foreign nations represented – 32 2018 Edition
Most men’s victories – 3 Sergio Pozzi (1980, 1981, 1982); Alexei Kononov (1995, 1996, 1997), Matteo Lucchese (2015, 2016, 2019).
Most female victories – 4 Carla Leporatti (1977, 1985, 1986, 1987): Monica Casiraghi (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005); Monica Carlin (2006, 2007, 2012, 2013)
Several times in the top 10 men – 9 Elvino Gennari (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986); Gaetano Cardia (1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
Several times in the top 10 women – 11 Aurelia Fiorini Marini (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)
Multiple finishes – Men: 46 (all editions) Giordano Chiappelli – Women: 33 Michela Aniceti – Foreigners/Men: 12 Zsolt Vegvari (Hungary), Francisco Fernandez Hernandez (Spain) – Foreigners/Women: 6 Marija Vrajic (Croatia) )
Most victories between clubs – 27 GP CA.I. PISTOIA
The favourites
There will be many athletes vying to win the 47th Pistoia-Abetone and the 2024 Italian 50km title.
With the reigning champion Michele Belluschi absent, the first name that catches the eye is that of SIMONE PESSINA from Brianza (2nd in the last two editions), who will be battled by a swarm of esteemed opponents. We start from the former Italian marathon champion and reigning 50 kilometer champion, the Sicilian ALESSIO TERRASI, from Mantua’s MARCO MENEGARDI (2nd in 2019, 4th last year), to continue with the Emilian FILIPPO BOVANINI ( 3rd in 2022, 5th in 2023), also present is the Ukrainian EVGENII GLYVA (3rd in 2015) and the German MARCO STURM making his debut in this race. The performance of DOMENICO PASSUELLO from Livorno is awaited, a high level triathlete and runner, with Tuscan titles in his bag. Valorous Tuscan athletes such as EMANUELE QUERCIOLI (two victories in the “Terre di Siena Ultramarathon”), ROBERTO FANI, faithful to the race and 4 times in the top ten at Abetone and FABRIZIO RIDOLFI, a strong Trail specialist, will be competing. There will also be DAVID FIESOLI from Pistoia (4th in 2017, 8th in 2018) and SIMONE GAMENONI (a victory in the 30 kilometers in San Marcello and 8th in Abetone two years ago). The Emilians respond with specialists such as ALESSANDRO BENERECETTI (two placings in the top 10 at Abetone), GIANLUCA SCARDOVI and RICCARDO VANETTI. From Pantelleria comes the very young DARIO PIETRO FERRANTE, revelation of the recent Florence-Faenza, then there is the Cuban REINEL CANIZARES DUQUE, 10th at the Pyramids in 2023. Bad clients are DANIELE LANZA from Brescia, an athlete with great references and the Piedmontese STEFANO VELATTA, once 4th and twice 5th at the finish line. To complete the dish, GIORGIO ROVEI from Lombardy, the young Venetian FEDERICO BORDIGNON and a small group of competitive regulars in demanding competitions such as DAVIDE FIORENTINO, VITTORIO SILVA, NICOLA FRAPPI, LORENZO MARZINI, ANTONIO NOCERA, CLAUDIO DELLA MORTE, RAFFAELLO BEVILACQUA, MAURO VOZZA and MARCO GIROLAMI. It will also be a head-on clash between the over 50s with one of the legends of the race in the lead DANIELE GIUSTI (17 times at the top, 6 consecutive placings in the top 10, 2nd overall in 2008). All eyes are on ANTONIO RAMUNDI, the Abruzzese MAURIZIO DI PAOLO, the Sicilians ANTONINO RECUPERO and CARMELO RAPISARDA, the Arezzo EDIMARO DONNINI, the Pistoia MASSIMO FARNARARO and other great specialists such as RICCARDO SERVENTI, VITO INTINI, LORENZO MAIANDI, GABRIELE LANCI and the presence of an always performing MASSIMO LEONARDI.
Among the women, a comparison is expected between FEDERICA MORONI from Romagna (2nd in 2019, victorious in 2022 and 2023), SARAH GIOMI from Bolzano (on her debut) and ILARIA BERGAGLIO, second in 2022 and recent winner at the 6 hours of Pistoia. STEFANIA SIMONELLI from Asti is a guarantee (7th in 2019, 4th in 2022, 5th last year), while the performances of the strong climber from Biella ILARIA ZACCAGNI and the winner of the “Terre di Siena” SABRINA CHIAPPA should be followed with interest. . The Ligurian SONIA CERETTO cannot be missed (8 times in the top 10 in 9 participations, best placing 3rd in 2010). Prominent debuts for MICHELA GIACOMUZZI from Vicenza, FRANCESCA SCOLA from the Marche region of Fermo and the Italian-Romanian from Bolzano ANDREEA LUCACI, twin sister of IOANA who was 3rd at Abetone last year. A large number of top athletes, always present at the competition, complete the cast such as the Polish EMILIA ALEKSANDRA KOTKOWIAK, the Italian-Albanians MIRELA HILAJ and MARTA DOKO, the Arezzo FRANCESCA INNOCENTI, the Lazio TIZIANA BINI, the Venetians MARIA TERESA FERRAGINA and BARBARA VERSOLATO the Tuscans CRISTINA PITONZO, SABRINA GARGANI, FRANCESCA BIAGINI, MARCELLA BARZAGLI, FRANCESCA BRACHI, MICHELA MANNUCCI, GIULIA PETRENI and the Quarratina MARINA RATTO. Numerous foreigners at the start, the best seem to be the Japanese MAJIDAE SON and the American from Wisconsin ANGELA HILL, winner of three American ultramarathons, while as many as 20 stars and stripes athletes will be brought to the race for the various goals, mostly by the company Oak Park Runners Club of Chicago, Illinois.
The others
Many race faithful have already registered, starting with GIORDANO CHIAPPELLI from Pistoia (46 arrivals in 46 editions, the only one to be able to boast this incredible performance) and the female leader, MICHELA ANICETI from Prato (33 editions completed). Also present were CLAUDIO GUIDOTTI (Borgo San Lorenzo-FI – 31 arrivals), SIMONE MONCINI (Pistoia – 28), GIANFRANCO TOSCHI (Castelfranco di Sotto-PI -25); FRANCO SCARPA (Vaglia-FI- 25), MARCO SEGHI (Pistoia – 24), GIUSEPPE FEDELE (Uzzano-PT- 21); VINCENZO BROCCOLO (Prato – 21); LUCIO DE CHIGI (Florence – 20); LILIANA MARIANI (Capannori-MON-19); SANTO BORELLA (Romano di Lombardia-BG – 18), STEFANO MONTEMURRO (Mottola-TA- 18), MASSIMILIANO MORELLI (Fucecchio – 20), DANIELE GIUSTI (Buggiano PT – 17), GRAZIANO GUERRIERI (San Giuliano t. PI – 17) . As always, the representative of the football referees of the AIA Section of Pistoia, led by the great leader MASSIMO DONI, registered at the finish line in San Marcello.
The nations represented
In addition to Italy, to date 22 foreign nations are represented: SAN MARINO, SPAIN, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ALBANIA, ROMANIA, UNITED KINGDOM, POLAND, RUSSIA, CUBA, AUSTRALIA, CHINA, ECUADOR, PHILIPPINES, UNITED STATES, JAPAN, NORWAY , SWITZERLAND, ADZERBAJAN, IVORY COAST, UKRAINE.
The “Welcome to Pistoia” Expo
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 parcels competition. 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
For any information on the race you can contact the Organizing Committee: website www.pistoia-abetone.net; email [email protected]; telephone and fax 057334761; infoline 3896452997
