DeeJay Ten, a non-competitive running event launched by Linus in 2005 to celebrate his birthday, has finally arrived in Naples – with the slogan “Curre!”
At the time, the famous DJ had organized a 10 km race, along his usual training route, thanks to a simple invitation to the public. Already on that occasion, 2000 people joined.
From that initial idea, DeeJay Ten has come a long way and this year, on the occasion of its eighteenth anniversary, it has scheduled two additional stages involving the cities of Naples and Turin, in addition to the traditional locations of Milan, Florence and Bari.
At 9,30 on Sunday 10 September 2023, a swarm of colorful athletes set off from Piazza del Plebiscito to take on the streets of the Neapolitan capital with their joy, defying the great heat that has decidedly enveloped the city.
Two distances covered: 10 and 5 km. Two colors of the official t-shirt proudly displayed by the participants: light blue for the 10 km, orange for the 5 km, almost to symbolize the sea - no less the football team - and the sun of Naples.
In fact, a real symbolic reference, not even in a very subtle way, was actually reserved for the official jersey of the Naples stage. On the front, clearly visible under the usual Dee Jay writing, stands out an imposing white number 10, intentionally dedicated to Maradona, pride and idol of the city that will be the 2023 Italian Champion. As, moreover, jokingly confirmed by Linus himself in one of the announcements published on the official website of the event.
“Someone asked me why the number ten… there are different theories: ten like the kilometers of the race, or like the start time of Deejay Chiama Italia… or like the day of the race… or like something that escapes me now…”.
The novelty for the first edition in the iconic city of Naples has exerted a strong attraction on the part of runners, regular walkers and numerous families with children in strollers or held by the hand. Therefore, great numbers were recorded: 5000 presences.
Among the latter, there were also many participants from other regions of Italy, who took advantage of the opportunity to combine their passion for running with a weekend of carefree tourism, enjoying a wonderful panorama in a warm climate, but conciliatory with this purpose.
For two days – Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September – Piazza del Plebiscito hosted the Deejay Village, where athletes could collect their bibs and shirts and request information while enjoying the lively presence of the DeeJay ten staff – in addition to the creator Linus, Nicola Savino, the Trio Medusa, the Vitiellos, Diego and Vale.
They, on Sunday morning, started the race by interacting pleasantly with the public present. From here, just before the start, a pleased Linus greeted everyone by expressing in words the great pleasure of having been in Naples and having experienced its flair and creativity for two days. Then he added: "We are convinced that we will be on the streets with you this morning. It will be very hot, but who cares. Have a good race!".
Annamaria Cafaro
EDITORIAL TEAM
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