I am Thomas Fekre And Rosa Ciccone the winners of the third edition of the Santa Claus Race in Vibo Valentia. The two athletes from Corricastrovillari won the last race of the 2023 Fidal calendar, which took place on Boxing Day. Over one hundred participants competed on the city circuit in the event organized by the provincial committee Asi (Italian Sports and Social Associations), in collaboration with Athletics Vibo and the voluntary association Anpanagepa, with the patronage of the Municipality of Vibo Valentia.
All the participants, over one hundred, met in Piazza Martiri d’Unità where, after collecting their bib, the children’s race began (approximately 200 metres) which preceded the start of the athletes who had to complete 7 laps of the route for a total of 7 km and non-competitors who completed 3 laps of a flat and very fast circuit.
In the end Thomas Fekre crossed the finish line winning the race by a wide margin over his teammate Michele Spingola; In the women’s competition, Rosa Ciccone from Mileto also won the race. Among the non-competitive, they reached the finish line first Raffaele Pietropaolo And Maria Immacolata Arena.
Upon arrival, all the athletes together with the organizers and the public present celebrated with a slice of panettone and a good sparkling wine. Immediately afterwards, the non-competitive participants and the children who took part in a race dedicated to them were rewarded. The overall winners and the competitive categories were then awarded.
“I am enthusiastic about participation – he comments Michele La Rocca, president of Asi -, and I must sincerely thank all those who contributed to the success of the event, all the athletes and companies who joyfully participated in this race which closes the 2023 Fidal calendar. A special thank you to the presidents Diego Crocè And Franco Bentivoglio of Anpanagepa and Atletica Vibo, a Gianfranco Milanese for organizational support and to our race doctor Donatella Faziowho helped us carry forward this idea, dedicating ourselves from the first moment and not only for healthcare support”.
The magic of the Santa Claus Race colored the streets of the city in Christmas red and allowed all participants to experience a moment of joy and close the sporting year with happiness. The representation of Corricastrovillari was strong with thirteen athletes at the start, and of Violetta di Lamezia Terme with seven.
In addition to the Fidal athletics clubs, Bulldogg Vibo, Lory Volley Pizzo and the Vibo Marina C’è association also participated in the race.
In the end, everyone’s hope was that Vibo Valentia could soon have an athletics track, resurrecting the project – already financed – which had been lying in the drawers of the municipal bureaucracy for over twenty years.
