National Trail Running Championships but above all a great Trail party Saturday 21 September in Gavirate.
It was the verdant and picturesque area of the Campo dei Fiori Park, together with the 21 municipalities of the Varese area, that served as the stage for the one-off rehearsal of the National Trail Running C.S.A. speciality titles in short and long, helped by a beautiful late summer day to make the atmosphere perfect.
The queen race of the 4th edition of the Campo dei Fiori Trail was certainly the Kratos 90K which, with its 90 kilometre route and 6000 m of positive altitude difference, made the outdoor sport of hard work the true protagonist of our beautiful Pre-Alps. More than 100 of the best international specialists around from eight different nations battled it out step by step. But the home ultratrailer, the Varese-based Stefano Rinaldi (ASD 100% Anima Trail - Eolo Kratos Team) already the reigning winner, outperformed everyone by crossing the finish line in less than 12 hours (11h 48), thus earning the Title of National and Regional Champion of Trail Running C.S.A.In long distance and effectively winning the Campo dei Fiori Trail Trophy 2019 for first place in the overall classification of the Kratos 90K. After him, with a considerable gap, Ceresa Matteo (12h 12) and Roberto Alberio (12h 34). To award them Marco Vercesi representative of the sports promotion body C.S.A.In. (Corporate and Industrial Sports Centres) sponsorship of the initiative, as President CSAIn Milan and Vice-President CSAIn Lombardy.
The women's podium of Kratos 90k saw two Swiss women take first and second place, respectively Denise Zimmermann in first place, thus winning the Campo dei Fiori Trail Trophy (14h 55) and Kerstin Dusch (15h 33) in second. In third place the Italian Francesca Dal Rio (Leopodistica ASD) which becomes by right National Champion of speciality Trail Running C.S.A.In long (17h 07). Arrived during the night Mara Toffanin (Carvico Skyrunning) who is the new Regional Champion of speciality Trail Running C.S.A.In long (19h 42) with a 7th place in the overall women's classification.
Also in the Elmec 70K, the race over a distance of 70 km and 4200 m of positive altitude difference, it is a home athlete who wins. The legendary Andrea Macchi (ASD 100% Anima Trail - Eolo Kratos Team) nicknamed “the lynx of Gavirate” won in a record time (8h 16) beating Giuseppe Breda (ASD 100% Anima Trail) by almost an hour (9h 04). Roberto Di Pasquali (La Vetta Running) instead took third place (9h 21).
Among the women, on the other hand, the competition was fierce and the athletes battled to the end, finishing just a few minutes apart. The ultrarunner Daniela Bonnet (Sport Club Angrogna ASD) won the podium (11h 07) followed by an incredible Giuliana Arrigoni well accustomed to endless distances and gruelling gradients (11h 14) and the young Enrica Gouthier who, with her trademark smile and enthusiasm, earned third place (11h 19).
Unexpected twist at the Vibram 45k (45 km route and 2200 m positive height difference) with a first place tie for Carlo Bonnet e Gabriele Fior (4h 21). Third place for Matteo Fodrini (Serim)(4h 39).
In the women's classification, the winner is Vibram 45K the Italian-New Zealand ultrarunner Cecilia Flori (Team Altra New Zealand) She arrived in Gavirate from New Zealand especially to run the Campo dei Fiori Trail. With a lead of almost 50 minutes (5h 09), Cecilia reconfirmed the supremacy that has made her famous in the world of trail running. In second place (5h 57) an excellent Simona Lo Cane (Valbossa Runner) and in third place (6h 26) Elena Lucia Scarpa (ASD Podistica Peralto Genova).
It is instead Filippo Ugolini (Falcons-Lecco) the undisputed ruler of the Groupama 25K bringing home the Title of National and Regional Trail Running Speciality Champion C.S.A.In short with an unreachable time of 2h 23’. Stefano Ruzza (Team Vibram) another super-favourite in the speed race, takes second place (2h 27’) followed by Andrea Mario Biotti (2h 35’).
For women with Emma Linda Quaglia (Ovadese Trail Team) flies to first place in the women's ranking, also earning her the Title of National Champion of Trail Running Speciality C.S.A.In short (2h 44’). Already well known in the world of athletics thanks to her gold medal in the marathon European Cup at the 2014 European Championships in Zurich, she landed in trail running, giving outstanding results from her first races. But it is the Lombardy Maria Cristina Guzzi to conquer the Title of Regional Champion of Trail Running Speciality C.S.A.In short with his second place finish (2h 44’). Third place instead for Giulia Torresi (100% Anima Trail) a regular presence at the Campo dei Fiori Trail.
A few, however, separate the trail runners from the podium of the Morselli 11K competitive (11 km route and 400 m positive altitude difference). First place for Matteo Spreafico (51’23’’) who won by 13’’ over Maurizio Mora (ATL Verbano). Third place for Marco Peruzzi (54’ 32’’).
Loredana Strozzi is the first woman in the Morselli 11k with a time of 11’ 05’’ followed by Roberta Tosi (ASD Atletica San Marco U.S. Acli) e Giulia Ghezzi (Runcard Standard).
A large crowd of fans livened up the day and supported the athletes at the refreshments along the route. The big novelty this year, the live broadcasting both on the event's social channels and on the big screen in the Trail Village, enriched the public experience by providing a timely update on the progress of the competition.
Great success for the Campo dei Fiori Outdoor ADS Association - event organiser - for the volunteers of the ASD 100% Anima Trail which recorded numbers far exceeding expectations. A total of 1650 runners with 1200 athletes registered for competitive races (18 nations represented and 36 Italian provinces) and huge participation by the youngest members of the Oltrona al Lago Primary School, Gavirate and Gemonio. They ran breathlessly along the shores of Lake Varese a total of 450 children accompanied by the instructors of the Cai di Gavirate and their teachers. The award ceremony was a great celebration together with the Mascots of the Campo dei Fiori Trail, the Volpina wandering around playing tricks and surprises.
The Campo dei Fiori Trail ASD Association would like to thank all the volunteers who, through their associations, organisations and partners, have helped for the great success of an event that until a few years ago seemed impossible and which today is instead a concrete reality with a great desire to grow. All that remains is to invite you to the next edition. Don't dream it, trail it!
For any information please write to: info@campodeifioritrail.it
Photo: Andrea Dambrosio
