The unchanged magic of a race that after a hundred years is still able to make the hearts of enthusiasts leap and to make those who run it feel unique emotions. There Monza Resegone is like this, it lives on a pleasant dualism: on the one hand it has a mesmeric charm that is difficult to resist, but on the other hand, this attraction is matched by the fear that only a 42 kilometer competition (and more than 1000 meters of altitude difference) can provide.
One hundred years is a long time, but the Monza Resegone is still here and on Saturday on the roads that from the Arengario of Monza lead to the Capanna Alpinisti Monzesi on the slopes of the Resegone, he hit the mark once again.
Monza Resegone – The balance of the 2024 edition
The sixty-second edition of the historic Brianza running race was a magical evening, promoted with flying colors by the almost 1000 runners involved, both in the novelty of the relay and in the established competition with teams made up of 3 runners. Enrico Dell’Orto, president of the Monzesi Alpinists Society, took stock of this latest edition.
“One hundred years and 62 editions later we are still here. We had important numbers, synonymous with how the race is always appreciated by the runners.”
What could be the secret: after a century, being able to maintain such a current and fascinating long-lived race?
“There are none, except keeping the traditions of the event alive. We are facing an atypical and anomalous race for many reasons. But like all competitions it can last as long as the response of the athletes who participate is positive. I believe that the Monza Resegone is so loved thanks to its particularity: it is run by three, at night, on open roads and the last stretch is very suggestive and takes you from the asphalt to a mountain refuge with a special third time”.
For the centenary you decided to include a novelty represented by the relay, what can we say about this debut?
“It was much appreciated, we had 99 teams registered, we went beyond all expectations. When you introduce something new in such a proven format it can be scary, but we are satisfied… even more so. With the relay we have brought even more people closer to the race, perhaps even those who are unable to fully prepare for it.”
In addition to the relay, the “classic” is very confirmed?
“Compared to 2023, the teams at the start have grown, we are back to more than 220 – there were 222 – returning to the track of history and statistics. In 175 trios reached Capanna Monza, compared to previous years perhaps there was a higher percentage high in withdrawals”.
Running and cheering, lots of cheering… how do you explain such a strong attachment on the part of the local population to a running race?
“I explain this for three reasons: first of all, we race on a midsummer night, people are more inclined to take to the streets. Then such a historic competition always leaves something behind every time it returns. Finally, very often many of the municipalities through which it passes the race organizes the white night on the same evening. Put the three things together and find out why all this crowd descends on the streets of Monza Resegone every year”.
And for 2025, what will be new?
“It’s still early – he smiles -, let’s let the summer pass then in autumn we’ll go back to thinking about the 63rd edition. However, I can already say one thing: the Monza Resegone will also be there in 2025, tracing the glories of the past and without disdaining the new features The relay? I think we will confirm it, we want to propose it again, listening to the advice of those who run the race. It would be nice to be able to make the “relay” a permanent event too!
How it all started from the Arengario of Monza, circularly, that is precisely where the 2024 edition will end with the awards ceremony of the event which will take place on Friday 28 June at 9pm.
Click here to see the 2024 Monza Resegone ranking
