Pisa: Program of the XVIII edition of the “Pisa Half Marathon”

The XVIII edition of the Pisa Half Marathon, which will take place on Sunday 13 October in the streets of Pisa, was presented in the Sala delle Baleari.

«This is an important event that has been taking place for years with great enthusiasm and an ever-increasing number of participants – he said the mayor of Pisa Michele Conti -. I congratulate the organizers of the Pisa Half Marathon and thank them, Professor Boggi, who is its soul and organization, and the volunteer associations involved. We are very happy that the city is once again hosting an event that has grown and expanded over the years to become an established reality at a national and international level. This year, I also think the number of foreign participants is significant, over 600, which means that our city and this type of event are attractive, capable of attracting athletes from all over the world and are a great opportunity for promotion and visibility for sport and for our city"

«It is an event that has a multiple value – he explains the rector of the University of Pisa, Riccardo Zucchi -. In the meantime, it confirms Pisa's excellence in the field of transplantology. We were among the pioneers with our university colleagues and their hospital collaborators, in organ transplants in many sectors. And this is an excellence that we intend to confirm and enhance. Then the enhancement of all the voluntary associations that play a fundamental role in collective life and also in sometimes making up for some shortcomings of the institutions, both in the health and welfare sectors in general. And then also the dutiful memory of our colleague Barbara Capovani and of other young people and colleagues who met a tragic fate and ended their lives with organ donation. For these reasons, the Pisa Half Marathon is an event of the utmost value for all of us"

«With the Pisa Half Marathon – explains Professor Ugo Boggi – we have come of age and will celebrate the 18th edition, before the start, by awarding a transplant operation that took place exactly 18 years ago on the night of San Ranieri, the Pisan champion Daniele Meucci will award it. With our event, in fact, we want to promote the values ​​of giving, of supporting volunteers. And this has allowed the event to grow until today when we can celebrate a great result with over two thousand members. It is a great result, beyond our wildest expectations. We thank all those who contributed and who trusted us".

On Sunday 13 October, Pisa will be transformed into a stage for running enthusiasts. The Pisa Half Marathon and Pisa Ten have been an extraordinary success, with over 2.700 participants from 25 different nations, forcing registrations to close early

A story of rebirth and solidarity. For 18 years, the Pisa Half Marathon has been much more than a simple race. It is a symbol of rebirth, hope and solidarity. The event was born from the idea of ​​promoting the culture of giving and celebrating life, inspired by the stories of people who, thanks to transplants, have been able to find a new dimension.

Pietro Pitoia, an example of tenacity

Among the protagonists of this edition, there is Pietro Pitoia, a special athlete who received a double kidney and pancreas transplant exactly 18 years ago, in the same year of the first edition of the half marathon. Despite the difficulties, Pietro never gave up and participated in almost all editions of the race, becoming a symbol of determination and willpower. Transplanted with a kidney and pancreas on the night of San Ranieri, Pietro will be awarded by Pisan Champion Daniele Meucci immediately before the start.

Antonio Paggi, the inspiration.

It all started with the miracle of Antonio Paggi who, transplanted on July 4, 2001, returned to Pisa on April 25, 25 to run 2002 km in the Strapazzata, the city race so loved by the Pisans. From the example of Antonio, healed in body and spirit by the transplant, the idea of ​​the Pisa Half Marathon was born.

The Champions at the start

Leading the group of champions chasing the course record (men's record: 01.00.41 by Bernard Musau Wambua, and women's record of 01.08.56 by Sofia Yaremchuck) will be Daniele Meucci and Ejob Faniel, fresh from the European Championships in Rome and the Olympic Games in Paris.

Daniele Meucci, the Pisan champion

Daniele boasts the most important palmares of Italian cross-country after the two Olympic champions Gelindo Bordin (1988) and Stefano Baldini (2004). European marathon champion in 2014, overall Daniele in his senior career has won two gold medals, two silver, and 6 bronze at the European Championships. He also won the 10000 m European Cup, was the Italian record holder for the 10 km on the road, and has won numerous Italian titles on the road and on the track. He boasts personal bests of 27.32 in the 10000 m, 28.08 in the 10 km on the road, 01.01.06 in the half marathon (with a best time at the Rome-Ostia 2022 of 01.00.11), and 02.07.49 in the marathon.

Ejob Faniel

Ejob Faniel rose to prominence in world running in 2017 when, on his debut, he won the Venice Marathon. He boasts two gold medals at the European Championships, and was third in the New York Marathon in 2021. In addition to this, there are countless prestigious victories. He boasts personal bests of 28.01 in the 10000 m, 28.05 in the 10 km on the road, 01.00.07. 02.07.09 in the half marathon, and XNUMX. XNUMX in the marathon.

Thanks

The organization thanks the Prefect, the Police Commissioner, the Mayor of Pisa, the Sports Councilor of Pisa, the entire Municipality of Pisa, the Local Police, the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, and the San Rossore Park, for the institutional support to the Pisa Half Marathon and the Pisa Ten. The organization also thanks the numerous sponsors for their trust and help. In addition to the general competition, the 50th Italian Banking and Insurance Championship is also added, which brings further prestige to the Pisa Half Marathon.

Finally, the organization would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Prefect, the Police Commissioner, the Mayor of Pisa, the Sports Councilor of Pisa, the entire Municipality of Pisa, the Local Police, the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, and the San Rossore Park, for the institutional support to the Pisa Half Marathon and the Pisa Ten, whose size requires an increasingly important and precise commitment. The organization would also like to thank the numerous sponsors for the trust and help received.

Commemorations

As in 2023, Pisa Ten is dedicated to the commemoration of the memory of the doctor Barbara Capovani, the psychiatrist who tragically passed away in April 2023 and whose organs were donated for transplant purposes. Moreover, the motto of the event, “I want love”, is perfectly in line with the charitable purposes of the Pisa Half Marathon.

The Pisa Half Marathon will also be an opportunity to remember Francesco Avino, the very young volunteer of the Pubblica Assistenza who passed away in 2017 following a road accident just a few days before the Pisa Half Marathon in which he would have participated as a volunteer.

The Pisa Half Marathon will also remember Dr. Peter Ciccorossi, hepatologist who passed away in 2015, also through the participation of the Association that bears his name which will take care of the refreshment point located at the 20th Km.