FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Saturday 9 October Two Stories Will Come Together in Trento,
Those of Stefano Baldini and the "Giro al Sas"
On Saturday 9 October two important stories will come together in Trento,
that of the champion Stefano Baldini from Rubiera, winner of the marathon
at the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, a world title in the half-marathon in
Palma de Mallorca in 1995, two wins in marathons at the European
Championships of 1998 in Budapest and in 2006 in Gothenburg, and two bronze
medals at the World Championships at Edmonton in 2001 and Paris in 2003 and
that of one the most ancient and well known running events, the Giro to Sas
of Trento.
After returning to compete in a marathon last August at the European
Championships in Barcelona, Stefano Baldini, at the age of 39 years has
decided to retire and will do so by taking part in the race in Trentino. A
special day, therefore for the Giro al Sas organized by Gianni Demadonna
and the staff coordinated by President Tiziano Bisoffi. A fitting end for a
champion who has touched the hearts of many people, not only Athletics
fans. For Baldini, the race will be a celebration, although knowing the
Reggiano champion, he will do all he can to win.
The main challengers for a place on the podium, as they have done for the
last decade, will come from Africa.
Starting with the winner of the last year's race, the Kenyan Edwin Soi, who
boasts two gold and two silver medals won at the IAAF World Athletics Final
and an Olympic bronze medal in the 5000 metres in Beijing 2008, who is more
determined than ever to repeat last year's performance around the 10 laps
of the city course, a total of 10 thousand meters.
His main opponent will be Adhiana Gerbretsedik, a young promising Ethiopian
who, in July, won a silver medal in the 10,000 m race at the World Junior
Championships in Canada. Also present, and in peak condition, will be the
Kenyan Paul Kimugul Kimaiyo, who won the Giro al Sas in 2005.
Outsiders are the other Kenyans Philip Jugra and Elisha Meli. But to
counter Africans there will be the Ukrainian Sergey Lebid, 8 times European
cross country champion from 1998 to 2009. Certain to be among the front
runners will be the Swiss Stephan Joly and the recent winner of the Giro di
Rovereto the Ugandan Wilson Busienei.
Then we have the Italians led by who we hope will be Baldini's heir, the
Florentine Andrea Lalli, who has a personal best of 28'17"64 for the
10,000 metres, a specialist cross country runner and winner of the European
under 23 cross country title in 2008 in Belgium and the European Junior
title in 2006. Then we have Daniele Caimmi, Ahmed El Mazoury, Cosimo
Caliandro, Andriani Ottaviano, Gabriele De Nard, John Ruggiero and the
Italian cross country champion of 2010 Kaddour Slimani.
STEFANO BALDINI AND THE GIRO AL SAS
The choice of the Giro al Sas by Stefano Baldini to be his farewell race
is no coincidence. For the Emilian champion, who on 29 August 2004 gave
Italy one of the most exciting medals in history (the gold in the marathon
at the Athens Olympics), the Trentino event has always had a special place
in his heart, perhaps because it was one of the first races he participated
in during his first year as a senior, or maybe because the event is
organized by his discoverer and manager Gianni Demadonna.
Baldini has participated in the Giro to Sas 18 times, winning on three
occasions, the first in 2002, then in the fantastic 2004 season and again
two years later in 2006. Three times, just like his manager Gianni
Demadonna who won in 1980, 1983 and 1985, as did the Genovese Giovanni
Nocco who won the first races in 1946, 1947 and 1950 and like the then
Yugoslav Franjio Mihalic (1957, 1959 and 1960). Two wins also for another
symbol of Italian athletics, Francesco Panetta who was first over the
finish line in 1987 and 1988. The runner who has won the Giro al Sas the
most number of times is Antonio Ambu from Cagliari, who won the race seven
times (the first in 1961 and then continuously from 1964 to 1969). The most
prestigious names of the winners of recent years include Paul Tergat and
Kenenisa Bekele.
RAI TO BROADCAST THE 64TH GIRO AL SAS LIVE
Rai plans an hour long live broadcast, with a commentary by Franco
Bragagna, from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Rai Sport 2 on Saturday 9 October
2010. A round-up of the day's events will be broadcast at 11.30 p.m. on Rai
Sport 1.
Ample space will also be dedicated to the 64th Giro al Sas by other local
and national broadcasters. Among these TCA in Trentino Alto Adige -
Trentino Tv. Pictures will also be transmitted by Sky 930 with commentary
by Paul Malfer.
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