The highly anticipated Strapollese 2025 took place, as announced, on September 13th. This annual running event lights up the Vallo di Diano and engages the entire community of Polla, home of the Podistica Pollese. For 17 years , the local team has organized this event with meticulous care, turning every detail into excitement.
To capture the true essence of this event, we asked a simple question to the members of Podistica Pollese, the beating heart of the organization along with president Rino Di Leo: "If you had to describe the Strapollese in just one word, what would you choose?"
A rich mosaic of emotions emerged. Words like family , inclusion , magic , participation , and liberation were expressed with a hint of pride, and even emotion, by inspired and united athletes, united by the same sporting values and sacrifice. It is precisely this mentality that, over the years, has allowed the project to grow, expand, and welcome an ever-increasing number of participants.
Thanks to the excellent work done, this competition has also grown technically, gaining recognition in official circles. The Strapollese is a competitive national 10km running race, with a FIDAL-approved course and individual and club rankings. This year, it also serves as the Regional Individual and Club 10km Championships.
But along with its numbers and certifications, the Strapollese boasts another record: continuity. Over time, it has forged connections and built traditions that are confirmed with each edition.
Carlo Cantales, President of the FIDAL Federal Athletes Commission and the event's longtime speaker, spoke passionately about its soul with his unmistakable voice. During a brief respite, he shared with us some reflections on this reality so familiar to him.
- You are the historic voice of this competition, what goes through your mind when you see the group starting?
It's inexplicable. From the outside, you can only see the start of the race, but behind it all, there's a minute-by-minute organization of everything that needs to happen. My role is, in a certain sense, that of a director: not to go over the schedule, to ensure that every phase unfolds as planned. It requires enormous attention. But every time, arriving here and seeing this square fill up in a few hours, being there ready to start... it's the moment everyone's been waiting for for a year. And when you see them start, the adrenaline is at a thousand.”
A role, that of speaker, that Cantales can't help but embrace, influenced by his experience as an athlete. An experience that fosters empathy for runners, prompts him to search for the right words, the ones he himself would like to hear during a race: "When you've run at least one race in your life, you can imagine what athletes feel in those moments."
Carla Langone, athlete and member of the organizing committee, testifying to the continuity and longevity of the event, emphasized the central role of President Di Leo: "He knows how to valorize each staff member based on their skills. The group is cohesive and deeply believes in the project."
This year's edition, building on the success of previous editions, welcomed 500 athletes from all over Italy, challenged to tackle a flat course, without significant elevation changes, ideal for those aspiring to improve their personal best. This is undoubtedly a compelling feature for runners.
In the early afternoon of Saturday, September 13th, Polla transformed into a lively hub for athletes and visitors. Piazza Mons. Antonio Forte, the day's hub, hosted a village packed with activities: from the Army stand to spaces dedicated to crafts and local products.
The program kicked off with the Strapollesina: a race for the youngest runners, ages 4 to 14, who showed grit and determination, receiving a specially minted medal upon arrival. Fitwalking was also featured, with a free-paced test along the same route as the competitive race.
Strapollese, which has been part of the national "Bronze" circuit for years and recognized by FIDAL and CONI, has distinguished itself for the 2025 edition with an important innovation: the assignment of two official titles, the CRI Regional Championship and the Society Championship (CDS), which combine personal glory with the triumph of the team group.
But to recount the heart of this experience, we turned to its tireless engine—as evidenced by the testimonies gathered so far—President Rino Di Leo. Although immersed in the pre-race excitement, he responded with the clarity and passion that have always distinguished him.
- President Di Leo, what impact has an event like the Strapollese, now deservedly in its 17th year, had on sports and tourism promotion?
"About 500 athletes arrived in Polla yesterday, " said President Rino Di Leo. " If we consider that many of them were accompanied by family or friends, we're talking about many more people who took advantage of the local accommodations. Some arrived as early as Friday evening, visited the venue, and stayed for the entire weekend, getting to know the town and, perhaps, even exploring a few corners of the Vallo di Diano. It's clear that tourism is also a factor."
Regarding sports promotion, Di Leo emphasized the role of the sports village, which this year hosted three local organizations: the youth soccer school, the basketball school, and the boxing school. "They actively participated, promoting their activities and offering a showcase of the work they do in the area. It was a concrete way to promote local sports and engage the community."
- The Strapollesina is a thriving offshoot of the Strapollese: what role does running play in the sporting education of the new generations?
Running is a true metaphor for life. It teaches values that are fundamental in sport, but even more so in life: respect for others, loyalty, fairness, healthy competition. It makes you a better person. Running teaches you that reaching the finish line requires sacrifice, that you have to overcome obstacles, be resilient and resilient. Sometimes you even put yourself aside: perhaps during the race a teammate needs help, and so you give up your time to be there for them. I think that's exactly what running teaches you: to be better.
- What are the most complex challenges involved in organizing an event like the Strapollese?
The main challenge is to innovate each year, seeking original ideas that will make the Strapollese unique and better than the previous edition. From the very first meetings, I encourage the organizing committee to propose something new.
This year, for example, we decorated the hay bales as characters along the race straight, while last year we had the 'Strapollo'. We don't remove anything, but we always add something to make the experience more enjoyable for the athletes and more engaging for the spectators.
We enlivened the most isolated section of the course with inflatable arches, balloons, music, refreshment stands, and colorful flags, ensuring athletes weren't left alone in the fields. And then, for a special touch, we hosted the City of Rome Pipe Band, whose bagpipes and drums brought a Highland atmosphere to the heart of the Vallo di Diano.
- Mr. President, what's the most emotional moment you've experienced in these 17 years at Strapollese?
The most emotional moment is repeated every year, when I hand over bib number 1 to the disabled athlete we host who is competing for the " Heart Beyond the Finish Line" trophy . This year, I experienced it during the press conference, when I handed over the bib to Ciro Romano, who is running with us and for us today. It's a symbolic gesture, but one charged with meaning. It's a profound emotion every time.
- Every medal tells a story. What's this year's? What does this small object the athletes will earn at the finish line mean to you?
This year's medal—designed by Giuseppe Sarno—features the Roman bridge of Polla, a symbol of connection between the ancient and modern parts of the town. It's a bridge that has stood for over two thousand years, weathering earthquakes and severe weather, and over the past seventeen years has seen thousands of athletes pass over it, not only during the Strapollese but also during their daily training sessions.
Each medal is a small jewel, designed and made to measure, and represents a fragment of Polla's history: it is not just an award, it is the symbol of our identity.
- Last question, the same one asked to the members of your team: If you had to describe Strapollese in just one word, what would it be?
The Strapollese cannot be described in just one word, it takes at least three: tension during the preparations, emotion on the day of the Strapollese and satisfaction the day after.
With this final statement, we bid farewell to President Rino Di Leo, not without drawing a significant conclusion. The Strapollese goes beyond its significant sporting significance: it is an emotional experience that overwhelms and inspires satisfaction. It is a tradition renewed every year, with the same passion and charisma, the same pulse that beats in the runners' roll, the same shared pace.
To crown an intense and well-attended day, here is the 2025 Strapollese ranking:
Male podium
Yahya Kadiri – 00:32:08
Valerio Santoro – 00:32:15
Ali Akinou – 00:32:34
Women's podium
Elvanie Nimbona – 00:33:04
Francesca Palomba – 00:39:29
Filomena Palomba – 00:40:41
