MILAN, Italy. Approximately 80,000 people joined this year’s Stramilano, the annual most famous city marathon in Italy on Sunday, March 27, 2011.
The event which annually gather thousands of marathon enthusiasts hit a record this year since founded in 1972 by Fior di Roccia group.
Around 50,000 people registered for 10-km race. More than 20,000 were recorded to have joined the Stramilanina, the 5-km race; and more than 6,000 participated the fastest international half marathon which was 21,097- km race.
The 10-km race was the most-joined running craze.
Stramilanina the easier one, was a fun run for children and families. While the half-marathon, was the competitive race.
Like in previous years, Stramilano officially opens at Piazza Duomo where thousands gathered for camaraderie, sportsmanship, fitness and fun.
Mayor Letizia Moratti led the event with the traditional bang of a canyon and applause from thousands of participants followed by the release of thousands of red balloons.
The most-participated 10-km race started at 9 o’clock in the morning from Piazza Duomo leading to the historic Arena Civica, where every participant in all category were expected to meet.
The mini runners of Stramilanina followed at 9:45 in the morning. They walked towards the different beautiful streets of Milan with their red balloons.
While the fastest international marathon which was participated by more than 6,000 people from different parts of the world started at 10:45 .
The title was again conquered by an African, Kisorio Mathew Kipkoech from Kenya. He finished at one-hour and three seconds (1.00.03). He was followed by a co-national, Eric Ndiema for one-hour and twenty seconds (1,00,20) and the Ethiopian Deme Hailegiorgis, one-hour and twenty-five seconds (1.00.25).
The first Italian to have reached the finish line was the 23-year old Andrea Lalli at one-hour, two minutes, and twenty seconds.
Some Filipinos have participated in the biggest and happiest event of the city which signaled the start of spring in the fashion city.
For them, joining means cooperating.
“Para makilala din tayong mga Pilipino dito kasi kailangan din makipag mingle din tayo sa mga Italians” , Adora Javier said.
“Masaya, masarap, kahit naubusan kami ng medal, kahit naubusan kami ng pagkain, pero at least ilang kilos ang nawala sa akin” she added. (Zita Baron)
