PRESS RELEASE NO. 1/2017
Faenza, 19th Sept. 2016
PRESS RELEASE No. 1/2017
PIETRO “Pirì” CREMENTI’S 85TH BIRTHDAY!
The heart and soul of the “100” celebrates an important milestone
Known the world over by his nickname of “Pirì”, Pietro Crementi, was born in Faenza on September 19th, 1931 and is unanimously considered the city’s sporting symbol, as well as being the heart and soul of the race from Florence to Faenza.
The race director for over forty years “Pirì” lived for sport since he was a young man. Firstly he established himself in football before going on to volleyball and cycling, always showing great team spirit and an excellent strategic vision. In addition, he had the ability to how to be surrounded by persons who then set themselves up at national levels in various roles.
These qualities allowed “Pirì” to take on technical and administrative roles in Faenza’s club structures (in particular in the field of female basketball with the Atletico Club and in the field of cycling with the ACLI). He then took an interest in athletics, initially with Alteo Dolcini and Francesco Calderoni in the planning and organization of the 100km del Passatore, becoming a member of its Committee and then in its related Association.
Crementi covered a number of roles, amongst which was the Race Director which he still hold. “Pirì” was also the co-founder of the Society of the Passatore and head of the arzdur (the supporters) of the “seven sisters”, the cities of Imola, Faenza, Lugo, Ravenna, Forlì, Cesena and Rimini which were the symbols of the Passatore.
Through Crementi took the figure of the “gentle” brigand out of the borders of the Romagna region and putting it into motion in 1973 by presenting it in Florence at the start of the Hundred, directing the moves armed with a megaphone and the proverbial “caplàz de’ Passadòr” (the brigand’s hat) without ever forgetting to praise not only the Top runners, but also the many volunteers and runners that allow the world’s most beautiful ultra marathon to be run.
The years go by, the world changes, but “Pirì” is always the same and it is thanks to his presence that the Florence-Faenza has survived over the decades, always keeping high its values that go beyond the mere sporting competition and include solidarity, friendship and conviviality. In fact, from the beginning the Society of the Passatore has always spread the culture, gastronomy and sport of the Romagna region while keeping intact its very spirit.
In all these years, apart from the sports men and ladies, “Pirì” has embraced people from the worlds of Culture, politics and show business. In addition to the great champions of the Hundred such as Vito Melito, Aleksei Kononov and Giorgio Calcaterra, we also remember the skiing champion Gustav Thoeni, the mountain climber Lino Lacedelli amd the cyclists Eddie Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Francesco Moser.
For the last twelve years Crementi has been married to the sport teacher Tatiana Khitrova, the historic secretary of the Society of the Passatore whom he met in the long ago 1992 when, on the occasion of the twentieth edition of the Florence to Faenza, Tatiana was the interpreter for the Russian Team.
Amongst the many honours bestowed on “Pirì” we must not forget his Italian knighthood, as well as important awards by the City of Faenza such as “A life for sport” and “To his career”, in addition to the “Faentino under the tower”. Five years ago Crementi was also honoured by the “100 km” with the “Ceramic Passatore” by then President Elio Ferri and Maria Chiara Campodoni, Faenza’s Councilor for sport.
We wish to remind the public that from October 1st, 2016, it will be possible to enroll for the 45th edition of the 100km del Passatore that will be held on May 27th and 28th, 2017.
Press Office
