§staticmap(9200,5,450,250)Hello, on October 2nd 2011, you’ll be organizing the Marathon “Città del Vino”. Can you tell us where it is located?
The Marathon “Città del Vino” is a competitive race over the classic distance of 42.195 km. We also organize a Half Marathon the same day. The event is located in Manzano in the North of Italy, in a region famous for its wine. For this event 8 communities are involved and the starting point is different each year. The route is always the same and athletes will run through vineyards and hills.
This will be the 3rd edition of the race. Why was it created in the first place?
The history and the passion to prepare this event are older than 3 years: they have been present in our hearts for a long time. Our first goal is to present our territory and its products, involving as many people as possible. The association “Podismo Buttrio” was truly interested to launch this project while involving all communities.
The previous finishing times said the route was fast despite the fact that at some points there are uphills and downhills. But the presence of people all along the route really helps.
How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
Three is the perfect number and we hope to satisfy all of our expectations with 700 participants or more. We’re doing all our best to be ready to manage more than 700 but… we’ll see. We’re involving the tourist structures and we’re hoping to accommodate not only runners but their families too, to live a great week-end in the region (which looks like the more famous Tuscany).
Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
This year we’ll organize the Marathon and the Half Marathon only but we have several ideas to be implemented in the future. An off-road event is on top of our list. A lot of runners have asked for it and we’d like to be ready to offer this kind of race too.
In the beginning of October in general we have sunny days, which normally is not a problem for the athletes.
Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
Unfortunately this year we have not planned any festivities.
The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Manzano before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
After the Marathon a nice meal is organized on the top of the hill of Manzano at Elliot’s, famous for its specialities. A good place to stay at is the “Shangri-La” in San Giovanni al Natisone. Another nice place that offers a comfortable stay is the Cividale del Friuli.
In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Marathon “Città del Vino”?
Running through the landscape of Manzano offers to the athletes unique emotions and magnifies the pleasure of running due to the diversity of the route. What makes it exceptional is the sensation created while running through old cities like Cividale del Friuli.
Interview with Michele Menotti.