MILAN, Italy. More than 60,000 locals, tourists and foreign residents joined the city’s most famous annual marathon, Stramilano on Sunday, March 25, 2012.
The 41st edition of Stramilano consists of three race which all end at the historic Arena Civica.
The 10-km non-competitive race started at 9 a.m. where 50,000 enthusiasts of all ages run for fun. It officially signaled the beginning of the festive Sunday which is also the start of the spring.
The event was formally opened by Milan Mayor Giuliano Pisapia with the traditional bang of a small canyon at Piazza Duomo and the release of thousands red balloons.
Runners passed through Corso Vittor Emmanuelle, San Babila, Corso Venezia, Via XX Settembre and Parco Sempione .
Stramilanina or the 5-km fun run for family started at 9:45 a.m and walked through San Babila, San’t Andrea, Montenapoleone, Via San Pietro all’Orto, Via Marina, Via Dante and Castelo Sforzesco.
While the fastest international half marathon or the 21.097- km race, began at Castello Sforzesco at 10:45 a.m..
More than 6,000 runners made their way through Arco della Pace and finished at Arena Civica.
Stramilano 2012 fastest runner was the Ethiopian Jakob Yarso Kintra who finished at 1 hr, 1 minute and 7 seconds. (1.01.07) The second fastest was the Italian Andrea Lalli who arrived at the finished line at 1 hour, 1 minute and 11 seconds (1.01.11) while the third placer was Kiprop Limo from Kenya. He touched the finish line after running for 1 hour, 2 minutes and 30 seconds. (1.02.30).
Meanwhile, named the fastest female runner was the Italian Valeria Straneo who finished at 1 hour 8 minutes and 28 seconds(1.08.28).
Anna Incerti, also an Italian, who arrived at the finish line after 1 hour, 10 minutes and 36 seconds (1.10.36) was the second.
Marcella Mancini, another Italian came third for 1 hour, 15 minutes and 31 seconds (1.15.31)
Pinoys presence
More and more Pinoys are joining the biggest yearly marathon of the city however their visibility was not so great because they were scattered and mixed to many thousands participants.
Run for fun, for fitness, and curiousity were mainly the reasons why Pinoys joined the marathon. While for others, collecting the event give-aways such as the medal, and simple sports gadgets matters for joining.
Registration costs 10 Euro inclusive of a shirt, medal, backpack, drink and snacks.( by Zita Baron & photos by Sherwin Salcedo)
