The 25th Edition of the Rome Appia Run: A Milestone Celebration Amidst the Eternal City's Wonders

A shining sun, albeit accompanied by a temperature that was anything but spring-like, welcomed thousands of athletes from the early hours of the morning, full of enthusiasm and passion, to the Nando Martellini stadium at the Terme di Caracalla to run the 25th edition of the Rome Appia Run. An important appointment, a milestone for one of the most prestigious races of the Roman running scene, which celebrated its silver anniversary with the city of Rome on its 2777th birthday. 'We are immensely happy,' says Roberto De Benedittis, creator and organizer of the event, 'for the wonderful success of this day of sport, celebration, culture, and archaeology precisely on the day of Rome's Birthday. An edition, number 25, that the over 7,000 athletes will remember with immense pleasure. We believe we have organized everything for the best, also paying attention to the aspect of solidarity with a donation to the Telethon Foundation. And the many participants who came to Rome from every corner of the world to run the Rome Appia Run confirm how much our race is appreciated and loved not only in Italy but also abroad.' Mohamed Zerrad, of the Asd Atletica Vomano Gran Sasso, was the favorite of the eve and crossed the finish line first, stopping the clock at 42:19. Behind him was Umberto Persi of the A.S.D. AT Running, with a time of 43:14, and third was Michael Nicolas Desplanques, of the S.S. Lazio Atletica Leggera (43:57). 'It is a joy for me this result,' said Zerrad at the end of the race, 'because I wanted to improve the result of last year when I arrived fifth. I am happy because it is a very difficult test, especially the stretch on the cobblestones and the lava pavement of the Appia Antica, but it is beautiful to run through the wonders of Rome.' In the women's field, there was no room for surprises with the announced triumph of Elisa Bortoli, an athlete of the Army, who beat all competitors with a time of 47:33. 'I started a bit cautious,' said Bortoli immediately after the race, 'aware of the length and difficulty of the course. Then I let myself go because the downhill stretches help to recover. However, running here in Rome was very exciting, the surrounding scenery is unique and helps a lot in the complicated moments of the race.' Behind her, there was a gap: second place went to Nataliya Tsyupka of the X-Solid Sport Lab Asd (52:37) and the third step of the podium to Veronica Del Grosso of the Asd Sporting Club Usa Avezzano (53:03). At the start, with the number 10 bib, was also Justine Mattera, showgirl, actress, and singer, but above all a great sportswoman, friend of the Rome Appia Run, after her extraordinary performance in the last edition, and also a testimonial for Brooks, the technical sponsor of the event. Organized by ACSI with the collaboration of ACSI Italia Atletica, the ASD Roma Appia Run, and ACSI Campidoglio Palatino, with the patronage of the Ministry of Sport, the Lazio Region, Rome Capital, the CONI, Sport e Salute, and is held under the aegis of Fidal, the Rome Appia Run owes its popularity, in addition to a charming route among some of the most fascinating wonders of Rome, to being the only race in the world to be run on five different pavements. A record that no one will be able to aspire to, also because not all places on the planet can offer the opportunity to run on asphalt, cobblestone, lava pavement, the dirt track of the Caffarella Park, and finally the track of the stadium of the Terme di Caracalla. We thank the institutions: Lazio Region, Municipality of Rome, Sport e Salute, CONI, Fidal, Regional Park of Appia Antica, Archaeological Park of Appia Antica. Commercial partners: Chinotto Neri, Corriere dello Sport, Gima Caffè, Rigoni di Asiago, Wellness Town. Charity partner: Telethon Foundation. Technical partner: Brooks.