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Short report of Half Marathon Race Walk (Men & Women)
The race’s number one favorite, Andrea Cosi, didn’t show up for the start due to a last-minute illness. It’s a shame, because he was expected to be in great shape.
The race’s number one favorite, Andrea Cosi, didn’t show up for the start due to a last-minute illness. It’s a shame, because he was expected to be in great shape.
Immediately after the start, a small group formed with the athletes with the most accredited times (Orsoni, Picchiottino, Disabato, Giupponi) and the returning 2008 Beijing Olympic Champion Alex Schwazer.
After a few laps of the cut and trust, the leading group was reduced to three: Orsoni, Picchiottino, and Schwazer.
The others gradually lost ground and seemed to be out of contention for both the first Italian Half Marathon Walking title and the medals.
The pace was almost entirely set by Riccardo Orsoni, who was often joined by Alex Schwazer and even Gianluca Picchiottino.
Schwazer’s presence sparked great interest in the local announcer and much of the audience.
Meanwhile, the international walking jury is doing its job, and among the leading trio, the one to pay the price is none other than the 2008 Beijing Olympic Champion, the first to be penalized just before the eighth km.
Orsoni and Picchiottino try to take advantage of the situation and pull away. Schwazer follows, but loses again his technical pace, and after a few laps, he receives two red cards.
Matteo Giupponi, further behind, suffers the same fate. Later he will suffer the 3rd red card and stopped in Penalty Zone.
Shortly after the halfway point, Riccardo Orsoni pushes his pace, dropping Picchiottino, who in turn has a ten-meter lead over Alex Schwazer, who nevertheless tries to rejoin with the goal of winning the inaugural Italian Half Marathon Race Walking Championship title.
Unfortunately, the arrival of the third red card relegates him to the Penalty Zone for a 120-second stop. After he exits the Penalty Zone, the record holder receives two more red cards and the athlete is disqualified in the next round.
So the green light was given to Riccardo Orsoni, who gave the crowd the satisfaction of a beautiful technical performance and ultimately enjoyed a well-deserved victory (1:24:30). Second place to Picchiottino (1:25:27). Third Michele Antonelli (1:29:07).
There was little to report in the competition of women’s race.
The leading group featured the best, with Alexandrina Mihai and Sofia Fiorini leading the way.
Around mid-race, Sofia Fiorini pushed the pace and gradually gained ground.
She would easily win in 1:34:20. Second place to Alexandrina Mihai (1:236:45). Third Michelle Cantò (1:38:52).
Full Video of the competition
(Half Marathon events, Men and Women, starts at 3:50:17 of the video)
Photo album
