A 47th edition of the Pistoia-Abetone ultramarathon under the banner of the Tricolore, that of yesterday. For the third time in its long history, in fact, the historic international race organized by Silvano Fedi, has awarded the titles of Italian Fidal Champion of 50 km on the road. And wearing the tricolor jersey of the Italian champion 2024 were Alessio Terrasi and Sarah Giomi, overall winners at the finish line. But in total there were 800 enthusiasts who pushed themselves to cover all the grueling 50 km that, from just 65 meters above sea level of the starting area, Piazza del Duomo, lead to the 1,388 meters of Abetone, to cut that finish line in Piazza delle Piramidi that represents a myth in the world of the ultra marathon. Around 300 other competitors stopped at the finish line in San Marcello, at the 30th kilometre: Lorenzo Castro and Mihaela Robu prevailed here. Also reaching the top of Abetone were the participants in the “Freewalking San Marcello-Abetone” (20 km) and the 500 enthusiasts who were the protagonists of the “Quarto finemento Le Regine-Abetone” (3 km), the solidarity walk for all open to the participation of disabled athletes.
Coming to the race, which started as per tradition at 7.30 from the historic center of Pistoia, the men’s event immediately saw the formation of a small leading group which included Simone Pessina, Matteo Lucchese, Marco Menegardi and Alessio Terrrasi. The selection began with Terrasi, who already passed the San Marcello intermediate stage with about two minutes of advantage. Behind him, Pessina and Lucchese tried to work together to recover the deficit, before the second was forced to retire. Menegardi’s decline in the meantime had allowed Dario Pietro Ferrante to emerge, third at the finish line after Pessina, already second in 2023. Fourth was the young David Fiesoli, exponent of Aurora Montale. Alessio Terrasi thus won his third Italian champion title after that of 2018 in the marathon in Ravenna and that of 2023 in Castel Bolognese in the 50 km.
As for the women, Sarah Giomi also took the lead from the start despite only being at the second 50km of her career. When passing through San Marcello she already had more than a minute’s lead over Federica Moroni, winner here last year and this year also capable of winning the 100 km of Passatore. Sarah Giomi’s advantage grew along the descent towards Lima and increased on the following climb, the hardest on the route. Only in the final did the gap between the two athletes narrow, but without any reversals. Third place for Ilaria Bergaglio.
Below are the rankings and times. Men: 1) Alessio Terrasi, 1990, Parco Alpi Apuane, in 03:35:38; 2) Simone Pessina, 1985, Bergamo Stars, in 03:40:05; 3) Dario Pietro Ferrante, 1979, Osteria dei Podisti, in 03:41:33; 4) David Fiesoli 5) Filippo Bovanini. Women: 1) Sarah Giomi, 1985, Pro Patria Milano, in 4:06:24; 2) Federica Moroni, 1972, Dinamo Sport, in 04:12:26; 3) Ilaria Bergaglio, 1981, Atletica Novese, in 04:32:43; 4) Ilaria Zaccagni 5) Elisa Crescentini.
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