A first edition that is already a record-breaker: more than 1,700 participants, including professional runners, amateur runners and simple enthusiasts, will take part in the San Francesco Marathon 2023. The appointment with what is preparing to be one of the most popular running events at national level for this year is very close: at 9.30 a.m. on 5 November next, in Assisi, there will be the start of the first St Francis Marathonthe international sporting event that combines sport and spirituality under the single denominator of solidarity.
From the very beginning, in fact, the SFM project was designed to help others: part of the proceeds from the sale of the bibs will be donated to charities charity operating in the area and to the Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary Foundation of the Vatican City. It is precisely the relationship with the Vatican that is special for the SFM: a long-standing collaboration with Athletica Vaticana - the first Sports Association established, and based, in the Vatican City State - which not by chance will have several of its athletes at the start. Staying on the charity theme, the organisers of the SFM23, viz. Life Running Assisi with the support of the communication agency KoloradoOn Sunday, 5 November, they will launch a special initiative: athletes at the start will be able to donate the clothing with which they have sheltered from the cold - sweatshirts, tracksuits, jumpers - and which will be collected and donated to various associations that help the less fortunate.
The event was presented Monday 30 October at the Salon d'Honour of Palazzo Donini in Perugia. "I Bless You Life'I bless you, I bless you life: this is the manifesto that accompanies the San Francesco Marathon from its start, which, along its 42 km and 195 m, will touch three places linked to the Poverello: Assisi, Spello and Cannara before arriving on the esplanade of the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels. In addition to the marathon, two other sporting events were planned: a 10K very fast and the walk "Come with me', an event that more than any other tries to unite running and solidarity. The entry fee will contribute to support projects for the most fragile people.
The response from runners was exceptional: around 900 registered for the 42K, more than 600 for the 10K and over 230 for the Vieni con me (for the latter event, registration remains open until Saturday 4 November). This result demonstrates the interest in an event of an international nature: there are several athletes competing who come from outside Italy. During the press conference, the official jerseys for the three competitions and the medals for the marathon and the 10K were also presented.
Three days of events, sport and solidarity. The big weekend of the San Francesco Marathon will begin Friday 3 November with the opening of the Village at Hotel TH Casa Leonori (Assisi) at 9 a.m., of the stands and with the start of the bib and race packet delivery. At 10.30 a.m. the conference 'Training for the future' by Bosh and Ramstad in the presence of the international football referee Manuela Nicolosi which will take place at the Liceo Scientifico in Foligno, while at 3.30 p.m. - in the Village - it will be the turn of the one on physiotherapy and nutrition organised in collaboration with the University of Perugia entitled 'Physical activity and running: the benefits for body and mind'.. At 5.30 p.m., the presentation of the itinerary. Also on Friday 3 November, at 5.30 p.m. - Santuario della Spogliazione - Museo della memoria, Assisi 1943-1944, meeting with Athletica Vaticana, greeting by the Bishop. Guided tour of the museum by the museum's creator and curator, Marina Rosati, with the presence of her granddaughter, Gioia Bartali, and the Councillor for Sport, Veronica Cavallucci.
Saturday 4 November The Village will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the programme includes a historical and cultural walk through the streets of Francesco from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., a functional Pilates demonstration by Area4 at 10.30 a.m., and a tasting of typical Umbrian products at 12.30 p.m. In the afternoon, from 3.30 p.m., the presentation of the route, pacemakers, Charity and Partners, top runners and at 6 p.m. the Marathon Runner's Mass will be officiated by Bishop Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino and of Foligno with the participation of Athletica Vaticana and the blessing of the bibs with the marathon runner's prayer. On Sunday, meeting of the athletes in the lower square of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, blessing of the athletes presided over by Fra Marco Moroni, custodian of the Sacro Convento, and at 9.30 a.m. the start of the races.
This year there is another special initiative for all SFM participants: a gift that embodies the values of the event, the Afrika Bread. Afrika Bread is a unique product, created from a combination of highly nutritious ingredients of exceptional quality. But what really makes this bread special is its processing, which takes place naturally and spontaneously with controlled temperatures and a double leavening process. The bread is produced by a small local company in Rome that makes it in modest quantities, but has a great mission. Pane Afrika is designed not only as a food for athletes, but also to be sent to places where bread is a scarce commodity. The Pane Afrika will be delivered to the athletes at the San Francesco Marathon Village: an important signal and an opportunity to make a difference in the world, just as St Francis taught.
The San Francesco Marathon is an event conceived and realised in cooperation by Life Running Assisi and Kolorado under the patronage of Diocese of Assisi-Gualdo Tadino and Nocera, under the patronage of the National Office, Leisure, Tourism and Sport of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), in co-organisation with the Municipality of Assisi, with the patronage and collaboration of the University of Perugia, with the patronage of the Municipality of Spello, with the patronage of the Order of Lawyers of Perugia, and in collaboration with Vatican Athletics. The general manager of the event is lawyer Gian Luca Mazzocchio.
I main sponsor of the SFM are: Muzzi Antica Pasticceria, UmbraGroup, Hoka, Ugolinelli srl Perugia-Foligno and +Energia.
The others sponsor: 2T Sport, Romcaffè, Okkio, Badiali Cashmere, Trieco Servizi Ambientali, Diva International, Acqua Nocera Umbra, Farmacie Gruppo Bartoli, Named Sport, Arena4 Group, Segarelli Assisi, Dionigi azienda agricola, Ercolanetti.
Partners and charity: National, regional and provincial Avis, La Francescana Ciclostorica dell'Umbria, Penso Positivo by Tommaso, Associazione Francesco Fuso, Fondazione Avanti Tutta, Allenarsi per il Futuro, Tec - Bosch training, Experior Qualia, Foligno triathlon Winner, Ciclovery, Lions Club Zona 9 D (Foligno, Spoleto, Assisi, Gualdo Tadino), Fondazione Dispensario Pediatrico Santa Marta della Città del Vaticano.
Patronage: Diocese of Assisi - Gualdo Tadino - Nocera Umbra; National Office for the Pastoral Care of Leisure, Tourism, Sport; City of Assisi (co-organiser); Municipality of Spello; University of Perugia; Perugia Bar Association and Rai Umbria.
