LAVENO, 21 April - The Vertical Running speciality race organised by 100% Anima Trail (organisers of the Campo dei Fiori Trail), which runs vertically along the path of the Funivia Lago Maggiore cable car amidst breathtaking views. The race, this year a stage of the Gran Prix of the Varese Mountains, awarded the Man with Wings‘ Award’ in memory of Oliviero Bellinzani.

The 2nd Vibram Vertikal Sass de Fer crowned two uphill racing specialists: the talented Manuel Da Col (Team Scott) who covered the 3.5 km race with 900 m of altitude difference in 33’09 and the athlete from Bergamo Rossi Maria Eugenia (Team Valetudo-serim) who reached the summit in 47’23.

The number of registrations far exceeded expectations and the 220 athletes started from Via Labiena, they climbed the vertical slope, stopping at the panoramic terrace of Poggio Sant'Elsa and continued for another 800 m to the summit of the Sasso del Ferro (1,062 metres).

After a veritable defiance of gravity, the summit overlooking the Valcuvia gave the athletes a chance to catch their breath and enjoy a 360° panorama on Lake Maggiore, the Val Grande, the Monte Rosa and the Field of Flowers. Lots of applause from the spectators on the climb for the winners, but also for all the participants who came in behind the fastest athletes, many of them from abroad and from outside the province.

Also the Super Athletes of Team3legs led by Moreno Pesce (transfemoral amputee) Heros Marai and Giuliano Mancini together with Michele Maggioni e Constantin Bostan (transtibial amputee), who had already participated in the first edition, reached the Sasso del Ferro summit with a lot of grit and passion. To support the Team3 legs Gildo Chechin e Simona Lo Cane specialising in Ultra Trail.

The organisation, this year for the first time, sent a very important message to the world of sport by awarding the Team 3 Legs & Friends the Prize Man with Wings in memory of Oliviero Bellinzani. A team that has shown that despite difficulties, physical problems can be transformed into great opportunities. With enthusiasm and willpower, over time they have been able to involve people with disabilities and give them new perspectives on life. Values also important for Oliviero Bellinzani, a well-known mountaineer who climbed 1131 peaks with only one leg, a symbol of this area of which he was a promoter and frequent visitor.

Moreno Pesce the captain and founder of Team3Gambe would like to remember him with these words: “I was very impressed by the difficulty in going up. But this was an extra stimulus. I was not looking for something easy to do. But I was looking for why Oliviero Bellinzani would go so far. On arrival at the summit, I deliberately waited until I was alone in silence, sitting on the ground. To try to feel that feeling of respect for the majesty of the mountain. That act of love of which he spoke. It felt good to relax after such an effort. There was a concentration of satisfaction, sweat and fulfilment. The cramps that accompanied me for the last 200 metres of elevation gain did not allow me to celebrate standing at the finish line. But it was still nice and meaningful to gather on the ground together with the Team3Gambe guys. The event was very well organised. In total safety. The location and the weather helped. We had a goal to achieve and we achieved it. The public waited for us and encouraged us, giving a very nice sense of solidarity to experience. An aspect that the whole team really appreciated. “Limits are often only in people's minds” is Oliviero's phrase which, besides being engraved on the trophy reserved for us, is the thought that distinguishes us because for us every goal we reach is only an intermediate objective and a new starting point.”

The event was organised by the 100% Anima Trail Sports Association, in cooperation with the Lake Maggiore Cable Cars which manages the lift from Laveno to the top of Sasso del Ferro. The organisation of this race provided an opportunity to contribute to the cleaning and rediscovery of the path that goes up to the base of the funicular and which is returned to tourists and trekking enthusiasts.

Next commitment for 100% Anima Trail will be the organisation of the event Campo dei Fiori Trail that the 22 September 2018 in Gavirate (VA) will award the title of Italian Trail Running Speciality Champion. The race, in its third edition, will attract the main Italian and foreign champions of the speciality for what promises to be one of the most interesting races at national level. Information on the website: WWW.CAMPODEIFIORITRAIL.IT

OPEN ENROLMENT AT PROMO PRICE -> HERE

For any information please write to: info@campodeifioritrail.it