Results at the Italian 10.10.10 marathons: Carpi, Garda Lake Marathon and Cagliari

Three marathons have been run this 10.10.10 week-end in Italy.

In term of ranking, the main competition was among 2 marathons: Carpi and Lake Garda Marathon, one of the oldest and the youngest in Italy. Interesting enough, the two marathons are pretty closed from each other. The 2 starting lines are indeed far less than 125 miles (see distance from Limone to Maranello) and the arrival lines are only 87 miles far away (see distance from Malcesine to Carpi).

As already clear from last year results, where the calendar did not overlap, Carpi Marathon got the highest technical result, with the Kenian Malakwen Paul Kosgei completing the 26.2 miles in 2h09:00 minutes, and the coverage from the television and the internet. The full marathon was available at Rai Sport website. However, this year, there was a 16.7% reduction in attendance from runners: only 877 completed the full marathon. 116 foreign runners completed the full marathon, representing 31 countries (31 from Finland, 15 from the UK, 11 from Kenia of which Gladys Jebet, the last Kenian, arrived 18th, 8 from France, 5 from Switzerland and Germany).

At the Lake Garda marathon, the reduction was only of 10.6% compared to last year, with 1383 runners at the finish line. Pietro Colnaghi from Italy was 1000 euro, completing the marathon in 2h28:20. 30 of the top 100 runners were international, proving that the Lake Garda is considered a great place to run.

Finally, in Sardinia, there was the first edition of Cagliari Marathon, with 135 runners completing the race. This is an amazing result, taking into account that the first press release on the marathon was available only on the 9th of August 2010. Filippo Lo Piccolo, already 7th in Treviso in March in 2h19, won the marathon in 2h32:55 and got 3000 euro from the jackpot, very high to target higher level of runners. Cagliari will for sure be in a position to compete with larger marathon, thanks to its nice location and with some international marketing.

Since few readers are interested to see the full results, you can find below the 10.10.2010 rankings.
Lake Garda Marathon 10.10.2010 Ranking
Carpi Italian Marathon 10.10.2010 Ranking
Cagliari Marathon 10.10.2010 Ranking

10.10.10 Marathon(s) in Italy

On Sunday 10.10.2010 many runners around the world will participate to their local marathon with the hope to beat their personal best. If you are a global runners, there is a lot of choice. In Europe, you could go to Munich in Germany (25th anniversary, expected: 1200 runners for the Marathon, registration closed), to Eindhoven in the Netherlands (27th edition, expected 1500 runners for the main event), to Brussels in Belgium (expected 2000 runners for the main event).

In Italy the choice is between tradition and novelty, Carpi Italian Marathon vs. Garda Lake Marathon. Ironically, those 2 marathons are ranking 10th in the Italian Marathon League, with around 1000 participants each.

2008 Lake Garda Marathon: a live experience

This post describes a live experience for the September 2008 Lake Garda Marathon and gives you insight of what it is really look like. Below you can find a translation from the original Lake Garda Marathon live experience.

Lake Garda Marathon is a brand new one and it is growing fast thanks to the presence of foreign runners coming from several countries across the world and to its good calendar at the end of September. It is in the top 10 of the Italian ranking (number 9).

Now the mixed feeling is over: I have both got my new Personal Best at Garda Lake Marathon, but not my suggested target. I was fine, I was in great shape and fit, although maybe not as 2 weeks ago. However, 11 seconds more per km seems too much, but maybe it was the wrong day or the "the crisis of the sixth marathon."

Let’s start with technical comments.

What to say about the pre-race? Wonderful, meeting people with whom we spoke only in front of a keyboard is always exciting, apart Drug, others I had never seen, Fatdaddy with him I shared the journey by ferry to Malcesine, a great character with the spirit of a twenty. Chiara: she is super woman, she did the “Passatore”, the 100km of the Sahara and now in her 27th marathon. When Drugo asked her a forecast on her timing, she says, "Well I go quiet for a 3:30". She will make her Personal Best in 3:19" eleventh overall among the lady. She is coming from another planet, as it is with Jack. We said ... "a professional ... with the patches to match well" He finished in 3:07 ... It is a shame that we did not have time for a nice chat but it will be for the next one!

The hour before the race flies rapidly. I warmed up with Drugo, I turn on my Garmin and a weak shot indicates that it is time to run, just the time to say good luck to Drugo. Since the first few meters I am very concentrated, the first Km in 5:15 ... sorry I do but I have to overtake more or less 400 people. The street is pretty narrow, at departure I was pretty behind. However, that is ok: I have 41 km to recover. The 2nd km was at 4:46, 3rd 4:27, and then I slow down a bit at about 4:45, until the 9th km, which is close to Riva del Garda. I completed the first 10km in 47:53. After all I was in line with my plan. At the refreshment I drank half gel with a glass of water.

The road which first crosses the populous and beautiful center of Riva, for 2 km goes toward the wonderful park closed to the lake and then turn left toward Arco.
It thus leaves the lake and the landscape changes, it runs on a very wide valley surrounded by beautiful peaks, at 14 kilometers I overtake the 3:30 pacers, who told me "go ahead, anyway we will see at the thirtieth km." I reach the 15 km mark in 1:11:20: everything seems pretty quiet and smooth. The road that was formerly straight is now with sharp curves and slips through the vineyards toward the center of Arco. Everything is wonderful, the wind is gone and I arrive at the half in 1:40:10, with 4min44sec /km, I drink the other part of the gel, I feel good, I say there is less than half. At the same time I notice an odd pinch coming from the right foot. It does not matter: I close the next 5 km close them at 4:46 average. Meanwhile, we left Arco with its fortress and warm people. We plunged into the green with a little boring bicycle path along the Sarca River which takes us back to the lake.  I start feeling the fatigue, but at least the wind is not blowing against us and, indeed, arrived in Torbole, for about 500m we have the pleasure to get it behind us. I eat half energy bar, I say to a runner next to me "Finally, a bit in favor of wind." I'm sorry I don't speak Italian" I look at him and tell him ... "The wind is behind us now."  I wonder if he understands, not even time to get used to and there was again wind on our face.

He must have thought: "great Italian, he brought bad luck." I reach the 30Km mark in 2:23:10 and the average total increases to 4:46 / km. I lost clearly my freshness.
Pleasant thoughts creep into my mind enough to get to think:  another 12km of race. This was a typical example of a thought at the wrong time. Kilometers taking me to 35th are real ordeal, I seem to run with a guy that pulls my top and tells me "come on, go and walk, this helps resting your legs, stop by."


I remember advice I gave to Drugo and Fatdaddy "if your legs hurt you ... it is not your problem, it is their problem," I do not know if I have time to finish the thought, the fact is that I find myself beside the table at the refreshement area at km 35th. Then: I walk only.



On the 39th km I see my father as always telling me "come on, it is almost over" Poor man, I tell him all the time" "I don't have any energy anymore."
I run side by side with a runner I met few minutes ago, I want to stick close to him till the end. This is the only solution. We arrive at the 40th km mark, 25 minutes and 38 seconds in 5 km. If I think I did the 36th at 5:26, I'm sure if I was dead this is the first resurrection!

I have recovered well; even my legs and my head are back among us. I begin to act as cicerone to my traveling companion, describing exactly the duration and intensity of the 2 climbs that separate us from the beginning of the descent. He looks at me puzzled but I told him: "It's downhill all the way." Just before the 41 km mark I find my wife and my mother to whom I gave a beautiful smile. The climb is over, I can increase a bit the pace and I am wondering where is Gianluca. 300m ahead of me I see Helga, Gianluca’s wife. Then 10m further I recognized the legendary photographer Gianluca.