2019
Marco Menegardi
The Passatore. By now this name to any person who has entered the running world immediately evokes the queen of the Ultramarathons. The route that connects the historic centers of Florence and Faenza passing through the Apennines. I this 2019 I went in person to see how it was.
ME, MARCO MENEGARDI– The Passatore first of all is a party. A party for the people of the villages that you pass through that incites you with high decibel screams and with great emotional vigor. A party for runners and their friends who often accompany them on bicycles. It starts from Florence. From the centre. Piazza Duomo. Tourists dribble to access the starting grid. I am tense but I am peaceful. I have no pressure. I have many regrets for how prepared I should have come. But it is important to be there this year. For other reasons we will see. I feel small for a moment. Thousands of people. Super-trained athletes with ad hoc tables, fitness weight from elite athletes, etc. I stop with these arguments. I am here like Marco Menegardi to do my race. What others are doing is their problem, in life as in sport.
THE STREAM FLOW – The start is immediately “on fire”. I am quiet behind it. The gsp marks me 4e10 per km with the feeling of packed legs. It’s normal I’m starting practically from cold. Dozens of people ahead. Perfect. Okay so. The recent contracture in the right hamstring makes itself felt. The beginning is tough: the heat and then the climb begins almost immediately. Not very steep but continuous. Making mistakes and exaggerating here can make you skip the race. The first 20km of a hundred are key. Time must be left for the legs and the metabolism to enter endurance mode. You have to “pass” the kilometers opposing the best possible resistance. Running is a flow. It must be made fluid by adapting it to the altitude of the route. I have a friend who helps me by bike. I wisely begin to feed and hydrate myself immediately with every passage to the refreshment points.
“The first one is less than five minutes away. The thought of even being able to win crosses me. I do not want to think about it. It would distract me. I would be mistaken immediately. Towards the 80th I reach the Ukrainian who was second. I pass it. I don’t watch it. Continuous.”
Climb to the Crosses (600m s.l.m) descend to Borgo san Lorenzo. You cross the country. Stadium cheering. Unbelievable. They had told me something but it went well beyond the imaginable. We are about the 30th km: the long and inexorable climb begins towards the Colla di Casaglia at over 900m altitude. I am excited and worried. Being wrong and going into crisis is a moment. I feel a little fatigue and heavy legs. I slow down slightly, almost imperceptibly. I try to run easy. The climb if you make a mistake does not forgive. A hundred km of prisoners never did. As you go up the road climbs up into the Florentine Apennine forest. The shade gives a minimum of climatic relief. The pace is not exaggerated but commensurate with the slope and the road still to be done. The level of fatigue is acceptable. I like the climb. It looks like the atmosphere of a stage of a great cycling tour. I’m counting the km that are missing from the GPM of the 48th km. I know the most demanding section is the central one. Towards the 45th km I see the shape of King Giorgio Calcaterra. A shiver runs through me. I continue with more vigor. I join him, stand beside him, look at him. A very quick glance exchange. There is a lot of effort even in his eyes, but the passion that moves us to do these things is by far the super. I try not to think. I focus on running. The last 3 km run smoothly. I reach another competitor and finish the last gel that I had recovered in Borgo San Lorenzo.
FLUID, REGULAR, SURGICAL-I try to do all things with a seraphic calm. Not to get caught up in emotion and enthusiasm. We are not even halfway. 50th km, 3h46min. Cabbage. The idea of staying under 7.30 am could materialize. They tell me I’m fifth. The first at 17 minutes, the podium at 9 minutes. The first woman is in front of me. More or less unconsciously I don’t rationalize. In hindsight I can say that my brain, when it heard those partials, thought only of one thing: the podium is not a mirage. At that moment it still seemed unpredictable. I was afraid of being able to jump at any moment. However, the weather is cooler now, even a nice storm in the descent gives me a refresh. I only focus on running. Biomechanics, flow, cadence, slope, road surface. Every mistake is energy that you throw on the street. I realize that the more the miles go, the better off I am. Legs lighten. The only concern is that I have passed the 60th km and my friend and his assistance have not yet met. A mixture of anger, worry and fear continues to pervade me. I try to think as little as possible and download it on the road. Every time a bike arrived I hoped it was him, in the end I will remain alone until the arrival! The race is now beautiful wide, the arms accompany the movement of the legs that are in full thrust. Fluid, regular, surgical.
“I feel a little fatigue and heavy legs. I slow down slightly, almost imperceptibly. I try to run easy. ”
IN THE ZONE – I always take coca-cola and half a banana for supplies to buffer the absence of the assistance I had planned. The atmosphere as you are concentrated in your effort inevitably crosses you and turns into a distillate of emotions that, even ex post, remains difficult to explain (as an ex passer-winner of the Passer confessed to me on Sunday after the race, the only those who participated understand it. In the distance I see the Croatian with whom we had overtaken several times downhill and the car with the timer that precedes the first woman. It is the best time physically. I’m running well. Several kilometers just under 4. I pass both. I don’t look anyone in the face. Nikolina (the first woman) will tell me on arrival with her Italian with a moderate Balkan accent: “you passed me as an airplane”. In reality what really flew was her, but the humility of the passion of the race that I saw in the two Croatian winners precedes any egomaniacal drift. Moreover, in his case, as a world champion on distance would be well justified. I was running “in the zone”, I was kidnapped by the competitive trance. A shark that smells blood. The first one is less than 5min. The thought of even being able to win crosses me. I do not want to think about it. It would distract me. I would be mistaken immediately. Towards the 80th I reach the Ukrainian who was second. I pass it. I don’t watch it. Continuous. They tell me that the first (Andrea Zambelli and last year’s winner) is three minutes away.
“The race is now quite wide, the arms accompany the movement of the legs which are in full thrust. Fluid, regular, surgical.
THE DREAM COMES TRUE – I keep trying not to think. The emotion of being able to truly fulfill the dream of a lifetime would destroy me. I’m just thinking about pushing. I’m afraid that the energies may end at any moment. I am without assistance from San Lorenzo and from the glue I went on practically only in coca cola. I reach the crowds of cars that surround the first one. For those unfamiliar with the race when you are in front, you are surrounded by bicycles and every possible motorcycle and car, from those of the organization to law enforcement agencies, in addition to those of standard vehicular traffic. To all this is added all the cheering of the people who become more and more numerous and incite you as I had never seen in life. I reach Andrea Zambelli. I don’t even look at him. I go straight. I promise myself that from that moment on I will never look back once, no matter what happens. So it will be. I feel I don’t have a lot of energy but I want to give it a moral hit. I keep running around 4km. I’m first. From predator I became prey. Everything has changed. All eyes on him. I don’t have to think about it. I seem to be in a virtual reality. I run. I think about running. I feel that the energies are slowly going out, at the last refreshment I was able to take only a half glass of low-concentrated salts. I have to drop some sugars. Two glasses of coke at the refreshment and go. Head down.
I would never accept the thought of collapsing after reaching the head of the race. I don’t have to think, I don’t have to look at the clock, otherwise time would not pass. Every kilometer that passes is one less that separates me from the finish. I am briefed on my advantage. I already have more than 2 minutes of advantage and nobody can be seen behind. Faenza approaches. Roundabout of the Passatore, -2km. I feel like crying with emotion. Do not think. Run. I literally start to cross a river of screaming people, I just shiver when I think about it while I type the keys. 99th km. I really have no words. I run between two crowd wings. Lights, screams. I see the banner of the finish line, I cross it, I raise my arms. I won Passatore 2019, not even in dreams did I have imagined it that way.
Finally I want to bring back the lines of a dear friend who moved me and sometimes make me think that I have estimates from some who are probably beyond my merits, but I decided to share them because actually for me the passion for running and this:
“Menegardi overtakes Brisighella Zambelli, but when I heard Menegardi I got up incredulously, there was a TV in a pizzeria connected to the live broadcast on teleromagna. I started screaming at my … doctor, let me dream !! i
I was very excited as if I had won, incredulous that the 100km could find the most humble winner … the least in sight, the one who runs without making a noise. The silent warrior.
The one who runs with the patience of those who know how to wait and who does not sin in pride or in the running asking too much for himself … or on social media. Yesterday Cinderella Man won … the man who on a magical May night defeated a parterre of competitors who were referred to as extravagant with space times … people who had come down from northern Italy to try it and had pulled out times when moving to Colla of 4’01 “. With ambition to win with a time trial under 6’45 “even less … you in one magical night wiped out all of us.
The beauty of this sport is that it offers such stories. See you at Passatore 2020 to experience other sports and life stories.
2014
Giorgio Calcaterra
My ninth Passatore
Yesterday at 3 pm I left Florence as I have been doing for nine years now. A race that I started to do as a challenge, but that has now become a great love. As always, many doubts, I never feel safe, I know that problems in a 100km are always around the corner. The first km this time were easy, I ran with good sensations. More or less up to the fifth km I was in the lead, then the Ukrainian I gave as favorite took off. I felt almost a sense of relief, I thought it was “destroying” itself. I continued at my pace without forcing. Then about 21km I reached Glyva, it was too easy, I thought it was he who was waiting for me. For about 15km we ran together, then it started and I went into crisis, right there where the other years I was pushing hard to try to reach the Passo della Colla. It was hard to accept that crisis, a deep crisis, I started running even at 5 ′ 50 ″ per km. The boy in the lead was gaining minutes on minutes and at a certain point even Herman reached me and detached me in a few meters. The crisis continued even downhill, I could not push, it was a race without energy. I kept telling myself that I wanted to try and resist that third place would have been more than honorable, but if other athletes had joined me, it would have been fine, the important thing was to arrive. Then news of the Ukrainian crisis and the excellent race of Herman who continued to gain minutes on me. About 80 km the turning point, I felt a flicker of energy, I tried to increase and it went well, the detachment from Herman began to thin, I began to believe it and about 93 km there was overtaking, at that point I slowed down and tried to enjoy the last km. Suffered race, as it should not have been, high time, worst time of the last nine years, but a lot of joy … THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN ME.
The article was published on Giorgio Calcaterra’s personal page www.giorgiocalcaterra.com
2012
Giorgio Calcaterra
Passatore 2012, not just a race, but above all a party.
For me, the Passatore is the Passatore, it is not a 100km race, it is much more, it is a party. I’ve been running it for seven years, and it’s always full of emotions. This year I got there without any major problems, I tried to train well, to get to Florence well in advance and to enjoy to the maximum those 100 beautiful kilometers that separated me from Faenza. The last two hours before departure were very beautiful, photographs, handshakes, good luck exchanges and some interviews, as I said before, it was a party, even the mayor of Florence came to give us a mouth in the wolf and shake my hand. Then, the countdown and off we go! The kilometers in the center of Florence flow very fast, people applaud, many call me by name and I call myself hangout 
for a few hundred meters alone. After a while another athlete arrives, Colnaghi, I know he is a good marathon runner, I have run there other times and we say goodbye in a friendly way. Pietro tells me that he is at his first hundred and that he wants to keep me company up to the Colla pass and then evaluate whether to stop or go on slowing down. Meanwhile, we reach the fifth km, 19 ’33″. After a while a Russian boy who I have known for years now surpasses us, his pace is decided and at certain moments he can even take a few meters ahead, I wanted to run the first part of the race in a calm way, but to stay with the group I could not do it. Second five thousand, all uphill, 21 ’06″. I knew I was risking a bit by forcing, but the Passatore has a race in the race, the flying finish line on top of the Colla, and in the first part of the race I thought about that too. The Russian boy in the meantime has left our company and we make the third ten thousand in 19 ‘and 51 “. Despite what he had told me, Colnaghi was pulling, he seemed to be trying to detach me, and I preferred not to leave him. At 34 km it took me a dozen meters ahead, and maybe I played the final time trial a bit, yes because I reacted on impulse, I reached it and I started to increase the pace, I forced a little ‘and I got to the top quite tired. Downhill I was unable to run well and the gap was reduced to 40 seconds. I reacted again and slowly I gained seconds, but Pietro didn’t give up, and every now and then the advantage diminished. My run was not relaxed, every now and then I felt very weak and asked for a carbogel, maybe this time I ate too little. Half a croissant for breakfast, a cappuccino and a third of baguettes with jam, for lunch nothing, half an hour before leaving a presport jelly. At 35km the first carbogel and at 55km the second. Less than usual. Compared to other races I was less lucid, I could not answer all the jokes that made me and I noticed to run with my mouth open enough as to want to take as much air as possible. My lead was over two minutes, but I didn’t feel confident. In the meantime, the cheering of the people continued and charged me and I was also very pleased to see the mayor of Faenza pass me by bicycle and greet me. At 88km, the minutes I had were four and I continued with my pace, a step not in push but constant. The people on the sides of the streets call me by name, some had signs with my name written on them, the excitement was so great. They said beautiful words to me and I didn’t give up, and km after km I reached the 99th km, there I finally unlocked, I really felt the finish line nearby and I started to play and say goodbye, increasing the pace and looking to the right and left and so in a short time I cross the finish line. I no longer felt tired, I wanted to jump and to embrace all those who had waited for me on arrival. I haven’t even seen the time I’ve done, but I knew it’s over six and forty, not much compared to my last three 100km but it’s okay anyway. I go on stage, uncork the bottle like the other years, and then I go to the refreshment and change. I meet my dear friend Carlo who, like every year, has come to wait for me, I had a drink and then off to anti-doping. This time they double checked us, blood and urine, finally! To be able to make the sufficient amount of liquid to be analyzed, I drank three beers, a little I felt drunk, but just the little that gave me joy. I thank Veronica for helping me before, during and after the race, giving me the peace of mind that allowed me to win. At 2:40 I finally arrived at the hotel, I changed, went to bed and within two seconds I fell asleep. I won my seventh Passatore, it’s just one more victory, but to say a lot, it means that I still have health, luck and the desire to go on, I know that I have not done anything extraordinary, I was just constant and lucky, but I’m happy with that. Thank you Dad for giving me this beautiful passion and thank you mom, if I won it is also thanks to you.
2011
Giorgio Calcaterra
This year has been a very special year for me, a year in which a big accident has changed my life … I have difficulty driving the car, lifting a weight, bending in a certain way, but fortunately not I have difficulty running … Running is good for me, when I run I don’t feel pain … So I gave up on various therapies that I could do, and I started preparing for a race that I love very much: the Passatore. In recent months I have not been able to run very fast, my races were slower and slower than last year, in the marathon I had lost at least 4 minutes and according to an approximate calculation, in the hundred I would have lost at least 12 minutes. I was hoping to drop below seven hours, but I knew it was difficult! But I said to myself from the beginning that the important thing would have been to try! So I went to Florence on Saturday afternoon with that goal. I didn’t think too much about the victory, I thought it was impossible, but I wanted to try to honor that beautiful race that gave me so much! I made a few small changes, compared to last year, for example I ate less, I wanted to get to the light race and replenish my energy during my trip. I had breakfast at half past nine with six rusks, a cappuccino with a croissant and a cup of milk and cereals, while I took a jelly an hour before departure, in short, abundant breakfast but no lunch. So it went, I started feeling light and vital, the thought went immediately to last year, when at the start I made grimaces of pain from my contracture in the back and I could not keep up with the first … I remember the magone I had, the afraid not to make it, but I also remember the determination to arrive, maybe in 20 hours, maybe in step, but I wanted to get there! Last year, in fact, my contracture melted with the passing of the km and I managed to win the race, and in the end, incredible but true on arrival, my back was better than at the start. But now I want to write about this year … a difficult edition, with many fearsome competitors. I started with a great desire to run and from the first meters I took my rhythm without thinking about tactics or opponents. With me only Emanuele Zenucchi, excellent marathon runner at the start on this distance. I thought he was going strong and this gave me a bit of concern, but luckily his pace was right and I have to thank him for the 10 km of company. Alberico di Cecco was behind us, he seemed not to want to reach us and always kept that twenty meters behind us. For the first 10km I was quite hot, but luckily the climatic conditions improved and even if there was a p0 ′ of contrary wind, I must say that the climate was on the side of us athletes. For me, the Passatore is not a single race, but there is the race in the race, or the mountain grand prix. The first ascent, that of Fiesole (Vetta delle Croci) passed quickly then slowly we went down to Borgo San Lorenzo where the 13/14 km climb began … Where my first race started. In the meantime Di Cecco joined me and at the 43rd km he detached me. I had recently taken liquid carbohydrates but I hadn’t drunk water and it had slightly bothered me, I was not able to respond to the attack. After about 500 meters I can drink some water and slowly I recover, he had about sixty meters on me, uphill are not a few … but I tried, I pushed a p0 ′ on the accelerator and to my surprise, I managed to reach it and detach it by about 40 seconds … so I enjoyed the victory of my first race, the mountain grand prix. I threw myself downhill with the desire to run, but with the awareness that it was too early to push hard and that perhaps I had to take advantage of the descent to recover a little. I knew that the second was close, but I didn’t care, I knew that maybe it was better if he reached me and if we ran for a while together. I think he reached me at the 55th km and for 20km we ran close, to tell the truth, every now and then he broke away, but I only believe because I made small changes in pace. At the 74th km Di Cecco accelerated a bit and I followed him up to the 75th, when I also decided to do a little stretch. At that point I feel the cheer, they tell me go, you insist now, I think: it’s absurd, there are still 25km left, it’s too early … My mind was thinking rationally, but my legs and my heart told me to go and I without not even realizing it, I started to push, to run, finally without keeping myself … finally free! The gap did not increase much, and I thought Di Cecco would soon catch me up, but I wasn’t just competing against him, I was running for my time, I was running for my staff and then, to hell with all the tactics … I had to run, go as I could! Because I have always said it and I repeat it once again, the staff is the thing that gratifies me most, more than a great victory. The last 10 km I had a slight slowdown, but the muscles had hardened and I knew that the advantage from the second was now more than 2 minutes … So I pushed, keeping the concentration and knowing that up to a meter before the arrival, the race is not over and anything can happen. I arrived a little tired and hungry, less lively than in previous years, but happy and satisfied. I went on stage, uncorked my bottle of sparkling wine and signed several autographs, but I have to tell the truth I did not feel in good shape … then they accompanied me to anti-doping, luckily I ate two croissants and I recovered … Maybe some extra finger, or who knows one of my beloved croissants taken to the competition would have made me a little more lively! Now more than 36 hours have passed since the end of the race, the muscles of my legs are slightly sore, but I feel relaxed and strong! I have not yet raced, I don’t know if I will do it today, I would like it a lot, but perhaps it is not the case to speed up the times, I want to recover well and start running again without pain and with the usual pleasure. I sincerely thank all those who cheered for me, who with their support pushed me towards the finish line, I thank those who helped me in the race, with the support of a few words or a bottle of water. In particular, I thank Veronica who helped me throughout the race and who patiently passed me the bars, liquid carbohydrates, water and cola and who with her cheering gave me strength and desire to run. For now I have no plans for my next races, I would like to have fun in fast races, but there is also a thought at the September world championship …1973
Romano Baccaro
Telephone interview on the occasion of the feast of Staff dela 100 km del Passatore 2012
With regard to the three races that I did (with a win and a second place), I can say that those experiences while already so far – 1973 and 1974 – are vivid in my memories and all the times that I remember, a great thrill me axle together with a truly immense emotion.
Those two hits (including a second place I consider it a success) to Vs magnificent race, were among the finest companies in my sporting life, and I keep the “inside” as a legacy of a “season” of my life and that has enriched me greatly and made me grow so much, not only as a sport, but also as a man.
This sport (even more than the others) is gorgeous.
Precisely for this reason, it is a sport to recommend particularly to young people to learn early in the “school of life” that it teaches (helps to overcome suffering, laziness, teaches you how to improve yourself to get results when you work with them you will be deserved and fatigue, makes you respect someone who is stronger than you, but at the same time gives you awareness of your “value”, is a sport that emphasizes humility at the expense of “brazen defiance”, and then, last but not least privilege this sport is to get you closer to nature and to love and respect as, unfortunately, today many people do.
So a dear “bravo” to you Passatore that you support a sport that most of the other offers the advantages I mentioned earlier.
1974
Attilio Liberini
When I won the 100 Km of Passatore in 1974, I performed 35 years. It was my eighth race on the 100 km that disputavo. I won three times the “Torino-Saint Vincent” and the previous 100 km. I won only two centisti: the friend-rival Cattle and German Helmut Urbach.
Absent both the race Passatore, in 1974, won in 7h 34 ‘. Thanks to this victory was the only Italian to win both races from 1973 to 1987. Only two other centisti succeed in the enterprise: Helmut Urbach and the Scot Donald Ritchie. Assimilated more calmly dose of jam and I replaced the tea with the sweet white wine offered by the organization and so I came up to Marradi. Courses quiet to save breath, and leg Marradi few kilometers after the winner of the first edition, Baccaro, arrived a few meters from me. The road, however, was more enlightened and flat, changing gears and took the lead 4 minutes from Baccaro.
Finally, the car came to her assistance and also the dawn, and the friend Baccaro there was nothing more to do. I kept the advantage over 4 minutes and Faenza greeted me triumphantly. were 6.34. I was happy with the victory. Smoothly, I finished the race in about seven hours.
I am immensely grateful to all those people thronged along the way who have encouraged me and supported until the finish line.
That was a night that I will never forget.
1975
Who was Urbach
when the ditch called the sample
It must have been somewhere near Barberry, I do not know the exact location indicate accurately but that side of the mountain and the gutter, “the ditch”, that I still have much equity in the retina, so we were at the 60 km. and “panzer” Urbach, who had a great advantage over the latter, powerful marched on the tracks, ships and just like a steely deutsch panzer, who had the ribs the deutsche panzeressa, at some point the car seemed to have a prodigious something had infiltrated the gears.
The race, from time immemorial, and without resorting to Olympia, is one of the most pleasing to the eye exercises harmoniously because the viewer sees the harmony of the miracle that is called man, (or woman) in particular young and then comes precisely from say that that being has been created “in the image and likeness” of the Creator.
Urbach was good at running because he had to justify all that beauty, the harmony of all that is already something is to go faster than everyone else, that counts as well.
But the “buscolo” had infiltrated into gear and the car began to slow down prodigious, crackle and beauty and harmony disappeared as well and the large Urbach was no longer such, and when, staggering, swerved to the left, the knees folded, deflated, fell, or rather seemed to take refuge in the ditch and curl up in the fetal sac as the penalty of witnessing that catharsis was great, inexpressible.
But there was – what’s his name? … – His wife and a few words were dry, hard, sharp (tedesche!) and the last, and it was surprising detachment, whispered, as the song of nightingale and the miracle – oh yes, that really was a miracle – the small, poor man grimpò the ditch and was back on the road and shooting the beautiful, harmonious, amazing race.
E ‘was again the great Urbach.
A.D.
1976
Vito Melito
Dear Alteo,
to your call, I answer … I hope worthwhile for the project in the pipeline, and first-hand told you my feelings of these “old fighter” …
“Oh, how many times I have asked and continue to ask, Vito, why you run for 100 km?” … I say I do not know. “But are not you tired of running for 100 km …” I continued undaunted … I do not know … but … but … one thing, I know and I want to do as well … Run and run, if you can, a 100 km all those who, devoid of any delusions of stardom, they want to enhance the self, not according to the theory of the superman to others, how much self-aggrandizement, in the fullest sense of the body and spirit …
There are many, many moments and the moments in life that you do not want to ever forget, almost wanting them carve upon your heart and mind, but it is almost impossible to capture a fleeting flash as eternal happiness is certainly much easier to enjoy a ‘ life experience, that even if it lasts only 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 … up to 20 hours, but will upset and affect the best of their lives normal man with the true spirit of a man and genuine super.
1977
Vito Melito
The following lines are “more” than Vito wrote me, referring to his first victory. But he had to be certain that there would be an encore … or a set of four dry!
Dear Friends,
this is the spirit and the substance of 100 or supermaratona … you, simple man, helpless, often untrained to fight, defy everyone and everything, and even though at first glance may seem like a fair fight, you can win in the end, having permeate your soul of an unusual courage and your body of a cortex impervious to the cold, wind and rain …
And ‘This is the secret and the charm of a 100 km: there is a bit’ of everything: sport … psychology … sociology … joy and pain … sacrifices and sufferings … dramas large and small … is, in short, the humus of own lives, in our daily lives, each of us lives daily … try it …
I, the undersigned, thank God, imbued with this lifeline, despite the fact that suffering and pain … … wins and losses have affected their sacrifices with varying fortunes, but one thing, the inexorable and irreplaceable joy that you try to follow the last km of the long endless and infinite … the final straight leading to Faenza … sweet oasis of peace and rest after so much suffering … but above all a just, enduring and well-deserved award and recognition of the value and courage of a man finally super …
Hello, Vito
1978
Vito Melito
You did the 100 km. for three consecutive years and have always lowered the record from year to year, how do you explain this?
Now even the 100 km. has become a race for specialists: My faithfully reflects the stages of physical and psychological maturation improved from year to year. Exploiting more and more previous experience, you can better understand your body and face and the method of the race, with increasing conviction, even 100 km. may be a race like any other: just prepare well and believe in the work that you do.
This year you told on arrival that the third 100 km. You had already won last year, why?
Yes, last year, despite a difficult crisis, I managed to win past the opponent at the last km, of course, since you see that if 100 km. Elvino Gennari had set the world record on 6h20’35” I certainly would have done less and the third victory gives confirmation.
This year you left even to break the record of 100 km.?
Not really, I wanted to win for the third time and well, but after 50 km. of the race I had the belief that maintaining a regular rhythm I did the record. I pushed to the maximum of about 30 km. between the seventieth and penny here and I won the race and made the record of 6h12’55”.
With what kind of shoes you run?
A couple of brand shoes French, EB, fabulous lightness and softness, a little curiosity, having broken my few days before the race, I ran with a few borrowed from a student dell’Acquadela. This explains and gives value to the value and practicality of shoes.
Claudio Cava
Newsletter of Podista, July 1978
1979
Donald Ritchie Scottish …
I flew to Milan on the 24th and arrived at about 18.30. Unfortunately there were no trains to Florence until at 22.10 and so it took time eating ice cream, cake, spaghetti and pizza.
The train was very full but I found a place to sit. After four and a half hours I arrived in Florence. I found my hotel at three in the morning but I could not enter. Then I returned to the station and there waited for the dawn.
At 5.30 I went to walk around a bit ‘for the city and returned to the hotel at about 9.00.
I went to bed for a couple of hours, but I could not sleep, so I decided to go out for “reasons of culture”, visit the most important buildings and the exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci.
It was very hot and I was a little ‘nervous about the race. It took me a pleasant evening dining with Mr. Oneto and other athletes from France, Canada and Czechoslovakia …
The square was packed with runners of all shapes and species, even if the number of starters was limited to 3000. A band was playing and the atmosphere was festive. The start was unusual, not a rifle …
The award was delivered to me the next morning. It was a real party in the square. The enthusiasm was general and totally different from any other SIMILAR previous experience. It was certainly a memorable event, in all respects!
(From a publication signed by the athlete and interesting as a great athlete faces a tough test as well as the minute details)
1980
Even, Donald Ritchie
The “100 Passatore” is a very special race with many features. Mostly it is a great race, apart from the distance we have also to consider the tough tear off Florence and after the climb to Passo della Colla. Weather conditions also can create difficulties.
To consider also the strong participation that makes me say that never at any other time I have seen many participants in a ultrarunner, this creates a very special atmosphere to start from the Piazza della Signoria.
Then there is the support of the spectators along the route that is not recorded in any other SIMILAR race. Borgo S. Lorenzo is magnificent, with its narrow streets were blocked by crowds that moved just to let you pass, and later, when night fell I remember the support given by the orchestras in different countries and even crossed the moving support of the people.
At the end was a hero that was received in the great square of Faenza, a welcome unforgettable. Everyone is happy that any race is completed but not this, in the morning of Sunday, the awards ceremony is a happy and memorable occasion.
All this and much more make the “Passatore” a great experience; congratulate the organizers for having produced a race so beautiful and I am proud to have won multiple editions, and I hope that this will continue for generations to ultrarunners can enjoy the “magic” of “100 Passatore”.
1981
Italy won the World Cup three times but Vito Melito is at an altitude of four!
(It would have also won the “100 Washington” if they had not made the wrong path)
Vito Melito
Raffaele From Vine
(La Gazzetta dello Sport)
1982
Luciano Ceni
Indeed, “Him” – Luciano Ceni, because the self has not arrived and then, to keep the setting of the book, someone else has to say about the railroad and electricians, who was the real surprise of the tenth edition the “100 Passatore”.
A survey among journalists, and many with a long presence in the militia “Passatore”, then people from “eagle eye” in these things has not dreamed indicate Luciano either as first or as second or third, rather – for them – not even exist.
All the forecasts were for Donald Ritchie, alternatively Pope and Gennari.
How do you explain the fact? As it turns out Luciano Ceni? He explains Stefano Biondi on “Stadium”.
.”>He says: <>.
There are many things to explain: how can a runner (ie use less than half of a 100) and present to win, because the cold and the rain have stopped the “big” and not him .. and we could say many other similar questions.
Better tighten and say, in the manner of Monsieur de la Palisse, Luciano Ceni won because it came first.
And his name stands for ever, the beautiful ceramic plate that eternal, as at Olympia, the real champions.
A.D.
1983
Mauro Cilia
Gent.mo Alteo Mr. Dolcini
And ‘with great pleasure that answer your very welcome letter.
You ask me to remember the feelings I felt that now distant in May 1983. The premise that these feelings are still indelible in my mind.
I can tell you that from the sporting point of view, for me the victory was something unexpected and, therefore, doubly beautiful. But what has impressed me most was the warmth of the people, by the roadside, while not knowing, I sometimes ran alongside, urging.
And it was such a heat that people could send me, which allowed me, sometimes not to think to hard work and, therefore, to continue in the most peaceful and tranquil to the finish line.
Finally, remember the warm welcome in the square, which honestly does not erase my mind ever.
Hoping to have a copy of his written and to see her again, I greet you cordially.
Mauro Cilia
1984
Who is Fausto Coletti
seen by Ennio Macconi
Fausto Coletti, thirty-three workers of Terni and Gabriele Nembrini, 20 years old, resident in Italy but Incisa. The first and the last. Both, in different ways, have won this twelfth edition of the Hundred Kilometres of Passatore, this mad rush to walk from Florence to Faenza game Saturday afternoon at 16.30 in the Palazzo Vecchio and ended after twenty hours in Faenza, in square people.
Fausto Coletti, the first arrival of the 1240 survivors, compared to 2934 present at the start, beat all. It ‘was the fastest. At an average of nearly 15 miles an hour, to run the 101 km and 500 meters it took 6 hours, 52’44”. Gabriele Nembrini, the last one is able to arrive within the time limit. And ‘This was his victory. Two races in one. Competitive spirit and desire to succeed. The competition and the chance to win were a few. For everyone else, it was a great test, the desire to see how far he can go. The hundred kilometers of the Passatore is great for this. It ‘true, dramatic, joyful, unique.
1985
Fausto Coletti
e un rimborso spese che non supera le duecentomila lire.”>and an expense that does not exceed two hundred thousand pounds. From his forays into the Papal States the “Passator Cortese,” the robber pascoliana memory that is called the hundred kilometers through the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines from Florence to Faenza, had to get loot certainly richer.
F.N.
(Gazzetta dello Sport)
1986
Jean Marc Bellocq
Recalling that Gaston de Foix defunse nearby at the Battle of Ravenna
The approach is arditino, put side by side the young general – Gaston de Foix – the head of the French army fell, for the umpteenth time in Italy forsaken by saying that we had to chase the Spaniards (it was in 1512 or so there …) and then war, bomb, besiege, rape, starvation, and so on. Here put this side with Jean Marc Bellocq that does nothing of all the bad things that we have said, that did not have it with the Spaniards, “armed” but if anything (with the above and all other ) “on pie ‘fast’, here – in this sense, the approach can go.
To say, once again, that the Gauls are strong, and get out of the way that they, the grandeur, they have it exclusively and woe to the vanquished, to those who have fallen behind, a minute or ten hours.
Jean Marc is elegance beyond the Alps applied to tougher competition. He has the physique du rôle in the most accomplished. Correct height (center of gravity is not something to be taken lightly), the right weight, the right head, that is, the ringworm will, wanting more of the second and all the others.
Jean Marc runs with a cap, which, on the back, a white cloth is applied, such as the “Foreign Legion”, but – he – not a legioner, ie a mercenary came from somewhere. He, French, an official, even the commander en chef.
1987
Jean Marc Bellocq
I came to Italy last year just to compete in this race which I was told wonders, I won, but mostly I have been exalted. So this year I have not even considered the possibility of winning the French title, and got ready for the Passatore. Win it would give me more glory than any other 100 km. I brought with me and Monique Bernard Rossetti Fornari, second and fourth in the last edition, and I convinced him to come along Christian Roig, one of the best French centisti. Bernard has confirmed its second position, Monique, who is also my coach, has earned a podium finishes, while Christian finished fifth. All my compatriots were enthusiastic: if word spread after a few years the Passatore speak French … I have thirty years, have a degree in pharmacy and working in a pharmaceutical company that supplies of medicines all the hospitals of Paris. I live in La Celle Saint Cloud (remember the Edict of Saint Claud which inspired the Tomb to Pasture?), A village to the south-western outskirts of the French capital, and I compete for the AC Bally Noisy. I work out every day for a total of 200 miles a week; valgus 2:27 in the marathon. ‘ As you can see it is not transcendental what I do, and that is why I say that when a marathon runner from 2:15 ‘decides to devote himself to 100 km with seriousness and after verifying the ability to handle long distances make havoc.
1988
Norman Di Gennaro
The Chronicles, the rolls of gold, people, a sporting event only remember the winner.
Personally, I am convinced that the history of the sport is done by everyone, that is, by all those who identify themselves in that discipline.
Dear friend, for once give me the word, I asked 40 to 50 lines of memories and feelings, but it seem possible that we can summarize in so little space, the “pathos of 100,000 meters”?
Rule it out: it would be a framework sterile and meaningless.
My pen is not so erudite and light enough to be able to lavish the many, many feelings along the hairpin bends and up the slopes of quell’habitat wonderful.
Before departure, I was assailed by panic, fear of not succeeding.
Then … Ready … Via … 30 km … 40 km …, the muscles were the right carburetion, heart calmed down, orgasm disappeared and the place of the unpleasant sensations was taken by the optimism that had accompanied me during the approach phase the race itself.
Since then, barring unforeseen circumstances, I felt I had the victory in hand.
In fact, I never had physical problems, seven kilometers from the finish, I broke the plunge and went on to win in crescendo.
Of course, do not forget that wonderful audience from the friendly face and cheering.
To them I owe the result of all this business. But it was? To them the sentence!
1989
Roland Vuillemenot
Je suis venu “en connoisseur” cette fois – there mais la chaleur est au rendez – vous. ‘ll Be donc je discret de tête dans le peloton Mené par Di Gennaro decides bien à gagner à nouveau. A Di Gennaro bien par encadré entraîneur, a coureur “lièvre”, etc.. mais bien trop nerveux lorsqu’il regarde know montre (il fait trop chaud pour les temps de l’année maintenir précédente). Par réaction, the accéléré, en prenant one centaine mètres de mais je reviens tranquillement sur le groupe here accompagne. Je n’ai en tête cette côte de que je ne veux pas Casaglia car doubler me faire comme l’année précédente. Je Mène a train en régulier montant sur Ronta et je sens Di Gennaro faiblir. J’accélère alors un peu, the lose one centaine de mètres, we here contraindra à l’abandon. Dépassant a échappée de la première heure dans les premiers lacets, me voila seul en tête dans la côte de Casaglia, accompagné de la voiture de tête sur laquelle east Juché the speaker au chapeau goes here devoir prononcer jusqu’à la fin “Vuillemenot, France! “
Au moment of the aborder descente, j’ai envie de vomir corn finalement, reprends je je veux mon allure car creuser a écart afin de mes décourager poursuivants. A 30 km de l’arrivée, je sais que je vais gagner never j’ai deux heures de course encore et les jambes font me ill. The télévision m’aveugle avec are projecteur, je ne sais plus où je cours. Puis c’est la traversée de Brisighella au milieu de toute cette foule here m’assourdit les oreilles. Enfin, c’est Faenza here m’applaudit sur ses 2 km avant cette montée Triomphale sur le podium of arrivée. N’ais je jamais vu autant de monde m’acclamer. A moment will stay here Gravé Mémoire dans ma. Mon temps: 7h 01’31”.
1990
The East wins
John Paul II (and it amazes me and it bothers me to hear it call “Papa Woitila” or even – with a freedom rude, even “Woitilia”) has made many wondrous things, and the first, of course, is that of bringing a non-Italian Pope -him-on the throne of Peter, after 500 years of uninterrupted Italian style … and someone says that – after him – will pass another 500 before it has yet to occur …
But it is, and do not take account of the rest of the great and tumble politics that is upsetting part of the land, a man by the name of someone says impossible (and Polish …) registers, is in Florence, go to Fiesole, Borgo S. Lorenzo, Passo Glue, Marradi … without putting particular emphasis on (perhaps because the unpronounceable name helps this clever camouflage …) then gets in at the gates of Faenza occurs because great (great, great thing is to eternarsi winning a “100 Passatore”) and Polish, fellow of the Pope, “the man Woitila” – the task of titolasti the sports pages is so much easier – is in Piazza del Popolo.
The “true fact” was that the wall (the terrible, inhuman, indecent, lewd, indefinable thing) had collapsed not only for Germany and Berlin, but for many nations that tasted freedom and excitement of the opening of the wall was also passed Jamont Przemyslaw and so fast that he beat everyone, even to arrive at Faenza.
1991
Valmir Nuñes brasileiro
I started running at 15, at school, and immediately I felt led to this sport. My first race, 100 km was Uburaba, Minai Gerais, Brazil, in July of ’90, when I came first. Then I ran in Santander, Rio de Janeiro, still third. Then I had my greatest satisfaction to Florence – Faenza, when I won the world championship.
I was very impressed by the perfect organization of the race, which gives the relief printing, public participation, the patrons, the government. How different from my country, where the athletes are absolutely alone “to fight for a place in the sun.”
Take me, for instance, that I am alone, without a coach, with no one with whom to set up my preparation. As a rule, I run every day, running the country, on the hills, on the beach. I read a lot, books and newspapers, about the sport and I try to keep myself strong and healthy, eat healthy, do not drink and do not smoke. Sure you’re all right, then, to keep in shape physically and mentally.
I will not forget as long as I the “100 Passatore” for a fact more than all the others: the places that run through from Florence to Faenza. The landscape, the landscape, everything is so beautiful that you can hardly feel the fatigue in the muscles. I must tell you what helped me win the “100 Passatore” I felt alone, lost in a country where no one understood me and I understood none. In addition, I felt a bit ‘wrong in the Hotel prior to departure and then you will understand how I presented myself at the start. But as soon as the race started I told myself that I had to get first: it was the way to beat my illness and fear.
1992
Valmir Nuñes
in the year of Christopher Columbus
I did not want to come, I do not do it again, and this is how your Paganini … Then you told me that it was the 500th of Descobrimento the New World, that I had a moral duty to be there, because it would also come from the USA Vassili Triantos of fresh citizenship stars and stripes from the ancient Breton people who taught very many, and it was because he had won the “100 Passatore” in Washington and then I did not have the heart to do a disservice to what I I say be the “100 most beautiful in the world” …
And so here I am … and it would have been if he had not interfered common Christopher and who knows where I would be now without his discovery! I have not broken the record in ’91 even 20 minutes longer, which for me are many but believe me, however, win the “100 Passatore” is always a great thing.
Are already two beautiful ceramic plaques awarded to the winner and now that I did an encore I thought to equal the record of Vito Melito (which has 4) and it would be nice to be one more … We’ll see.
Meanwhile, a warm greeting to Florence, to Romagna, to all the world and also centisti all’Alteo who played my thoughts …