“Naples is a thousand cultures”, one of the most famous lines from Pino Daniele's song, resounded perfectly yesterday through the streets of Naples, thanks to the river of runners who, sporting the colours of their club jerseys, enlivened the fifth edition of the Union Gas e Luce Neapolis Marathon.
A highly anticipated and perfectly orchestrated event, judging by the enthusiastic reactions of the participants and the festive atmosphere that lit up the splendid Piazza del Plebiscito, the historic and evocative setting for the start and finish. This success is a testament to the growing efficiency and attention to detail demonstrated by the SSD Neapolis Marathon's organizational team, led by Maurizio Marino.
Already on Saturday, October 18th, at the official opening of the marathon village, the two 6km fun and physical activity walks of the Neapolis Magic Walk—which wound through the most beautiful and characteristic spots of the historic center—had attracted such numbers and enthusiasm that they predicted the success that was fully confirmed on race day. Confirming the event's growth, this year's Union Gas e Luce Neapolis Marathon The race saw double the participation compared to the previous edition, with a surprising international presence: approximately 40% of the participants came from abroad. France and the United Kingdom had the highest number of participants, but there were also runners from the United States.
On Sunday, October 19th, with streets closed to traffic from early in the morning, one-way traffic, and a conciliatory atmosphere, Naples was able to show off all its natural beauty, to the delight of the over 5.000 runners who peacefully invaded it, indulging their passion and challenging themselves. Making this edition even more significant was the presence of famous faces and symbols of inclusion. Among them, the Italian wheelchair athletics champion Sarah Vargetto, honorary member of Athletica Vaticana since 2019 and the Neapolitan Massimiliano Ossini, television host, actor and writer, who actively promotes inclusion and solidarity through sporting events, present for the competition not competitive.
Three distances were offered, which each participant could choose based on their fitness: the 42,195 km marathon, the 21,097 km half marathon, and the non-competitive 11 km Neapolis Sea Run.
The men's podium saw the triumph of a Kenyan athlete. Gilbert Masai took the win, completing the 42,195 km in 2:14:52. At the finish line, the winner described the course as "very beautiful and favorable," noting how the support of the Neapolitan crowd had positively contributed to his performance. Behind him, Romanian Stefan Iulius Gavril finished in 2:26:14, followed by Italian Fabrizio Meoli, third with a time of 2:35:41.
In the women's field, the victory went to the Kenyan Vivian Jelagat Jeptepkeny, 33 years old, who crossed the finish line in 2h43'35". Completing the podium, the Czech Petra Pastorova, second with 2h46'24", and the Italian Giovanna Ungania, third in 3h09'21".
Kenya's triumph also extended to the half marathon, the Union Gas and Electricity Neapolis Half, Where Simon Dudi Ekidor dominated among the men with a time of 1h04'45", while Mercy Jebichii she won the women's race in 1h17'10".
Among the key players in every race are the pacers. With enthusiasm, precision, and great vitality, they accompany the athletes to the finish line, offering support and motivation along the entire route. This year, the Neapolis Marathon once again relied on the active collaboration of a united and close-knit group, led by the proven experience of Rocco Cilla, a Neapolitan "on loan to the north," who has coordinated the team with passion and expertise for three editions. This role allows him to combine his love of running with his love of his roots, significantly contributing to the event's success.
We interviewed him to retrace the history of the Neapolis Marathon through the eyes of someone who experienced it firsthand, feeling all the excitement of a runner who approached this discipline step by step, until he was completely captivated by it. Today, he is a FIDAL instructor, pacer, and marathon runner with dozens of races under his belt—including marathons and half marathons—to the point of innumerable. An authentic testimony, made of passion, dedication, and love for running and for Naples.
As pacer coordinator for at least three editions, how have you seen the Neapolis Marathon evolve?
«We have grown a lot on an organizational level, especially in attention to detail.
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What's the atmosphere like among the pacers before the start? Is there a symbolic moment you share?
"The best moment is always the briefing. We meet at 7:15, we say hello, we joke, we connect. That's when the group is born. And then there's the final photo, which is the real satisfaction: seeing the group united, beyond the time."
What are the main challenges in maintaining the high quality of Pacer service edition after edition?
I'm already thinking about the next edition. Every year, as soon as the race ends, I already think about what I can do to improve. Last night, we met for dinner with Enzo Maiorano, the vice president, and we were already analyzing the problems of the expo, the good and the bad. As for the pacers, I observe them throughout the year, choosing those with experience and those who are eager to learn. I often like to introduce new pacers and "teach" a little about the trade to those I notice during the race and consider suitable for this role.
What does it mean to you to participate in an event that has doubled the number of registrations compared to last year?
"It's incredibly satisfying. Going from 700 to 1.400 participants in the marathon alone is incredible. And when the pacers themselves want to come back, to propose, to create... it means you're sowing the seeds well."
Last year, you said that Naples's sunrise was "the most beautiful in the world." This year, under the lights of an even bigger event, what thoughts would you like to share with it?
I can confirm it: it's still the most beautiful sunrise in the world. Naples deserves ten thousand runners. It's a beautiful city, and the marathon should be a celebration for everyone. Our mission is to make the city understand this. I believe Naples deserves an international running event on par with other major Italian cities. Yesterday morning I ran along the seafront with a guy from Naples, his first experience as a pacer in his city. I told him, 'You people who live here don't enjoy this place enough.' It's as if, seeing it every day, you don't realize the beauty before your eyes. I come from an area where it's foggy in the mornings... running here is a privilege.
And with this final response, Rocco Cilla welcomed us with his visible emotion, immersing us in a world of authentic passion—as an athlete, but also as a native of this city. His gaze is already turned to the future, toward an even more exciting sixth edition, capable of captivating with an ever more compelling and contagious charisma.
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