MARCIALONGA IS A FAMILY MATTER

 

Marcialonga is a real family matter!
Over the years, the passion for this Granfondo has involved lots of boys and girls who have then become fathers and mothers, involving their own kids. Time after time, these kids also grew up surrounded by the enthusiasm of the event and keep passing on the family tradition.
We are going to tell you the story of three families in which entire generations take part in Marcialonga as athletes, volunteers or supporters and where the boundary to the event is very special.

It’s Marcialonga time…what a celebration!

Connection between generations is clear also when we talk about support and cheering. Giorgio Deflorian from Canazei is a big sport fan who has always been following Marcialonga. His son Diego is an athlete in all the disciplines and his grandson Simone dreams of doing the same. After all, Marcialonga is one of the big events of the year and families enjoy living and sharing its joy and emotions.

What does Marcialonga mean to you?

Giorgio. Something that I really like! It makes me think of when I was young. I have been taking part in the first editions, I remember that we were a group of 30 people from Canazei. We met in the garage to wax our skis, it was an occasion to spend time together and have fun. Marcialonga created community.

Diego. It is an important event, a race my dad took part in, that I take part in and that I hope Simone will one day take part in too. To be honest I have already involved Simone in the cycling discipline two years ago: he was waiting for me half-way and we cycled part of the track together. Besides, it is an input to keep fit and train; since when I started to participate I promised myself to always participate.

Simone. It is a fixed appointment, the event you have been waiting for, the one you know everyone is watching and that I hope I will also participate to, one day.

How do you usually follow Marcialonga?

Giorgio. The slope passes under my house, so that I can watch all the participants pass by and scream “Go!”. Of course I am waiting for Diego to cheer him up. I have always been following Nordic ski, my cousin was the great Giulio Deflorian; how much satisfaction with him and Giorgio Vanzetta! I generally like all sport disciplines; I have been buying the Gazzetta dello Sport every day for 70 years and Diego comes by every night to steal it!

Diego. I live Marcialonga as a protagonist. To be true, I experience all three of them as a protagonist as I also take part in the Marcialonga Coop and the Marcialonga Craft. This year, due to a physical problem I could not participate to the running one, but I followed my friends and cheered them up.

Simone. During the Marcialonga I cheer for my dad and follow hima long the track, at the refreshment point and in some other peculiar point. A couple of years ago, it was very nice to share part of the track of Marcialonga Craft with him. Cycling is my passion and I believe that I will first take part in Marcialonga Craft before participating to the one on skis.

Some words to describe the other two…

Giorgio. I am very proud of my son Diego and my grandson.

Diego. Dad is a man of important values and he is very attached to his family, also thanks to mum. Simone is a good boy. He also thinks family is important, he is committed at school and has a big passion for sport, of cycling, in particular. After all, in our home we have grown up “with bread and sport”!

Simone. Grandpa has an incredible willpower. Starting from scratch, with a lot of work and dedication, he built up a hotel and has always kept the family together. Dad is a great worker and sportsman. If he does not practice any sport he is not well.