MARCIALONGA AND... THE FASCINATION OF RUNNING IMMERSED IN NATURE

Stadiums are for bystanders. Runners have nature, which is better. (Juha Väätäinen)

Former Finn runner, European champion in the 5000 and 10000 metres in 1971, perfectly summed up the emotions of Marcialonga Running Coop, scheduled for next September 4th and starting from Moena to Cavalese (Trentino region - Italy). Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, the beautiful valleys where the Marcialonga challenges take place, will surprise all those who associate the brand Marcialonga to snow-covered landscapes. For almost fourteen years the Running Coop has been gathering runners from all over the world for a top running event immersed in a breath-taking scenery, at the feet of the Dolomites, perfectly organised by these two impressive valleys in the Trentino region.
The event will start on Saturday, September the 3rd at Navalge theatre in Moena, where the expo area will be open to the public all day, with accessories, outfits and all Marcialonga merchandising with the new “finisher” t-shirt and many other items for real runners. At 11:30 a.m., it will be the moment of Mizuno Run, a short race of about 4 km in order to train before the official race, with free entry and a Mizuno gadget for the first 50 competitors who will run together with Giovanna Volpato and the triathlete Alessandro Degasperi.
Mizuno testimonial Giovanna Volpato, marathon runner who won the Marathon of Florence in 2008 and ranking 2nd at the Marathon of Venice in 2004, gives important tips to runners taking part in the 14th Marcialonga Running Coop: “My advice is to continue training focussing on the metabolic development by increasing the kilometres run, without neglecting the muscular part, considering the characteristics of the running course: 26000 metres, with the first 21 km running slightly downhill and the remaining 5 running uphill to the finish line. Runners living in the mountains will be able to train on similar courses, the others should train once a week on a mixed uphill and downhill track, or, if not possible, on flyovers to repeat several times. Good luck!”. On Saturday afternoon kids aged 6 to 12 can compete in the Minirunning and may enrol directly at the race office at Navalge theatre in Moena.
The mini-competition will take place from 5:30 p.m. on a 900-metre course in the old town of Moena with no technical difficulty and will see the involvement of Associazione Bambi as well as Braciacol, funny clowns that will entertain everybody, everything under the professional supervision of Monti Pallidi Team.
On Sunday, September the 4th it will be the turn of the Marcialonga Running Coop, starting at 9:30 a.m. from Piaz De Sotegrava in Moena. The race will also determine the final ranking in the combined event Punto3 Craft, with a “family contest" of the Bormolini twins, when Nicolas will try to "steal" the title from his brother Thomas (who won in 2015), having a lead of about 5 minutes in the overall ranking after the Marcialonga “Skiing” and “Cycling”. The Organising committee has also confirmed the partnership with AIC Associazione Italiana Celiachia, with special products for people suffering from celiac disease, supplied by Coop Trentino.