Naples is getting ready to experience another Sunday dedicated to running thanks to the Italiana Assicurazioni Neapolis Marathon, now in its third edition.
Running enthusiasts will gather in Piazza del Plebiscito tomorrow, October 1st, to tackle the start and finish lines of the 42km marathon, the premier distance of running competitions, the 195km half marathon, and the Sea Run, a non-competitive 21km race.
The three different races will start simultaneously at 8.00:2 am. Immediately before, 31 minutes of silence will be observed in the name of Giovanbattista Cutolo, the young Neapolitan musician killed on August XNUMXst.
In the iconic Piazza del Plebiscito, the true operational hub of the entire event, starting from yesterday, September 29, the village has been set up where athletes must go to collect their race packs and bibs, but which is also the place designated for the development of the rich program of initiatives linked to the event of this long weekend of Neapolitan sport.
This morning, the event featured Sportiva Walking—walking and Nordic walking—directly from the stage in the center of the square, musical performances themed "The Rhythm of Life," and a conference entitled "Diet: A Winning Therapy for Sport and for Life," a topic dear to runners, but also useful to the many visitors who came by chance or out of curiosity.
In the afternoon, the focus was on the purely sporting part of the event with the creation of two walks among the beauties of the city: the Fast Walk at 16.00:8 pm, on an 18,00 km route and, at 4:17,00 pm, the Magic Walk with its XNUMX km distance. In this maze of initiatives, the official presentation of the pacers involved in tomorrow's race could not be missed, at XNUMX:XNUMX pm.
Those who we can well define as the angels of the race, who with absolute competence, professionalism and a lot of verve, will accompany the runners intent on reaching the finish line equipped with their colored balloons, as a distinctive sign of the time chosen by the participants following them.
In this regard, we had the pleasure of collecting the enthusiastic statement of the coordinator of the pacers of the Italian Neapolis Marathon, personally involved as a pacer in the half marathon, Rocco Cilla, a valid exponent of amateur running at a competitive level, Neapolitan by origin, “loaned” to the north for professional reasons: “A beautiful atmosphere, animated by musical groups representing the Neapolitan schools and by a dense influx of visitors.
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We had anticipated 2200 participants, we're almost there, and we're just finishing the registrations this morning. We've had just over 1000 participants in the half marathon, 800 in the marathon, and many more in the 12K. This afternoon, we'll be walking, and it's a pleasure to note that we've doubled the number of participants in the marathon compared to last year, while we've also achieved excellent results in the other races. In short, I can say we're really having fun.
The traffic device of the municipality
Meanwhile, for the benefit of the residents of Naples, we would like to inform you that, starting October 1st, from 7.30:XNUMX a.m. until further notice, a ban on vehicular traffic has been established, except for emergency and rescue vehicles, law enforcement, and organizers, on the following streets: Piazza del Plebiscito, the roadways in front of the Prefecture building and the Commiliter building (Palazzo Salerno), Via Cesario Console, Via Nazario Sauro, Via Partenope, Piazza Vittoria, Via Caracciolo, Viale Dohrn, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Sannazaro, Piazza Sannazaro, Viale Gramsci, Largo Sermoneta, Via Acton, Via Cristoforo Colombo, Via Vespucci, Duca degli Abruzzi roundabout, Sant'Erasmo roundabout, Via Ponte della Maddalena, Via Volta, Volta roundabout, Via Volta, Via Marina, Via De Gasperi, Via Depretis, Piazza Bovio, Corso Umberto, Piazza Municipio, Via V. Emanuele, Via San Carlo, Piazza Trieste e Trento; Via Solitaria, Piazzetta Salazar, and the Paggeria ramps, except for vehicles belonging to residents, disabled persons with an H badge, emergency and rescue vehicles, and law enforcement vehicles, which may circulate in one-way traffic.
Furthermore, one-way traffic is expected in Piazza Carolina, from the confluence of Via Serra to that of Via Chiaia and in Via Chiaia, from the confluence of Piazza Carolina to that of Via Gaetano Filangieri, in addition to the prohibition of parking with forced removal on Via Cesario Console, Viale Gramsci and Viale Dhorn.
Marathon favorites
The favourites for the marathon are Hicham Boufars, an athlete from Morocco with a personal best of 2h 13', who will have to compete with his compatriot Khalid Jbari, a personal best of 2.18. Also in the running for the favourites is the Kenyan Simon Kiber Loytaniang, making his debut over 42,195 km.
In the men's half marathon, the name of the Kenyan Paul Tiongik stands out, with a personal best of 1.00.01, who will have his main opponent in his compatriot Patrick Mutunga Mwikya (1.02.13).
In the women's field, the Kenyan Teresiah Kwamboka Omosa (personal best 1.10.29) is the favourite, as is Nancy Kurubo Kerage (1.14.40 as best time).
All that remains is to wait until tomorrow, go through the entire event live and see if these predictions will be confirmed. In the meantime, a big good luck goes to those who will challenge themselves and others, among the magical settings of a Naples willing to welcome everyone with its proverbial warmth, human before meteorological.
Annamaria Cafaro
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