The magic of a late summer evening welcomed and enveloped participants in “Asics Trail of the Walls.” the urban trail staged on Saturday, September 10 in the heart of Verona. The rest was taken care of by a city that provided scenery that seemed designed especially for them: the start and finish in Piazza San Zeno, there where the historic center offers the true essence of the city and the spirit of the borgo, with kids still playing free ball on the parvis of the basilica dedicated to the city’s patron saint, a splendid example of Lombard Romanesque architecture; the full moon above Castelvecchio, still reflected low on the Adige River waiting for the runners; the adventure of 17 kilometers running along the Austrian “lasagna,” all cobblestone, reaching Forte San Mattia, the highest point of the course at almost 300 meters above sea level, crossing the olive groves of Valpantena and the Parco delle Mura. The finish line still in San Zeno Square, with the lights of the competitors’ headlamps magically announcing their arrival.
Images that the 450 participants in the race organized by Verona Marathon Team will take with them, along with the pleasure of having taken part in an urban trail organized with the ingredients of passion and professionalism.
Real race, as per the FIDAL calendar, and arrival of the first ones with pure emotion: Nicolò Petrin, a Venetian from Santa Maria di Sala, baker by profession, former cyclist turned urban trail specialist, grabbed right at the last corner, before entering Piazza San Zeno, the outrider Alberto Pertile, overtaking him and going on to win the trial. In third place was Andrea Casagrande of Atletica Valle di Cembra.
In the women’s trial, clear success for Alessia Scaini, a year ago Italian Under 23 mountain running champion. The Atletica Saluzzo’s valsusina, who moved to Arco di Trento since January, led the race from the first to the last meter, while behind her Veronica Bacci (Team KM Sport) immediately settled in second position, maintained until the finish line where Sara Brentarolli (Revelo) closed the women’s podium.
From first to last, a common thought: the allure of the urban trail, this time, was joined by the magic of a special city like Verona: unique in the world always, and let alone on a beautiful September evening…
RESULTS
MEN: 1. Nicolò PETRIN (Tornado) 1.09:22; 2. Alberto PERTILE (Team KM Sport) 1.09:23; 3. Andrea CASAGRANDE (Atl. Valle di Cembra) 1.11:34; 4. Massimiliano TURCO (Giancarlo Biasin Illasi) 1.12:24; 5. Luca ORLANDI (Avis Suzzara) 1.13:00; 6. Giorgio CAMPANA BINAGHI (Cus Bergamo) 1.13:04; 7. Davide BECCARO (La Bottega Casinalbo) 1.13:39; 8. Matteo ARZUFFI (Run Card) 1.14:27
WOMEN: 1. Alessia SCAINI (Atl. Saluzzo) 1.17:07; 2. Veronica BACCI (Team KM Sport) 1.20:54; 3. Sara BRENTAROLLI (Revelo) 1.24:13; 4. Federica SCHIO (Atl. Lupatotina) 1.25:31; 5. Barbara REGAIOLLI (Woman Triathlon Italia) 1.25:55; 6. Lisa SARTORELLO (Scuola Italiana Running) 1.27.14); 7. Elisabetta LONGO (Run card) 1.29:23; 8. Daniele KELLER (Run Card) 1.29:24.
