The talk moderated by Federica Brignoli, F journalist, was dedicated to the marathon,
understood not only as that of the great champions who made Olympic history,
but increasingly to running for everyone, professional and amateur runners, with cities that are
reinvent themselves and get involved year after year, associations that also tell their stories
through sport and with the involvement of more and more families.
Running is a sport that unites different worlds, becomes a metaphor for life and arouses
emotions. Today it is experienced as a great opportunity to develop initiatives and projects
fundraising projects, without forgetting sustainability issues. Now in its 22nd
edition, the Milano Marathon is one of the most eagerly awaited events worldwide.
world, an example of an event rich in elements and initiatives alongside the purely
race.
Starting with the 20th anniversary of Stefano Baldini’s historic victory in Athens in 2004,
Stefano Mei president of the Italian Athletics Federation was involved,
Paolo Bellino managing director of RCS Sports & Events and Claudia Rocchi together with
with Chiara Nizzola of the TOG Foundation, Charity of the Year of the Wizz Air Milano Marathon
2025, which will take place next 6 April.
On the subject of solidarity, the speech by Alberto Fiasconaro marketing &
communication Cisalfa Group, who talked about Cisalfa’s path with Special Olympics
on the theme of inclusion
Stefano Mei, President of the Italian Athletics Federation Ambassador
‘Italian athletics is living a good moment. We have believed and invested in the Games, because
you have to believe in it, in the projects. In Paris we showed all our potential. Having had after Tokyo 70 per cent of finalist athletes was an important result. All our athletes have tried and today we have a broader base that can allow us to win more medals. I also find it a beautiful moment that we are experiencing in the long distances. The Milano Marathon is a very fascinating race, it offers ideal conditions conditions for running in Italy and as President of the Federation I am proud to be able to
collaborate with RCS Sports & Events. Marathons are an important asset and the Federation must make the most of them. RCS is doing a great job on the events and the road running. As a federation we are trying to work to allow foreign athletes foreign athletes to run without a medical examination in Italy. This initiative would allow a growth of 30-40% in the number of participants.
Stefano Baldini, Olympic marathon champion and ASICS Legend and Ambassador
‘Twenty years ago I won my medal at the Games, a wonderful moment. The Olympics was
for me the best race of my life. That day gave meaning to all the work done
to get there. I was physically in ideal shape. As a coach today, I have
to deal with the boys. They have access to so much information, thanks to the internet, and that
is an advantage, but something that has to be managed. Today as then, the boys have to be stimulated. I know the Milano Marathon and have been commenting on it for years. The city has great potential and since post Expo it has become more welcoming than in the past. The running week in
Milan Marathon offers everyone the chance to discover the beauty of running and sport.
of sport’.
Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sports & Events
‘Italy is one of the most interesting countries in the world in terms of tourism growth and RCS Sport has been working for years to make its marathon more and more desirable in the world. Many
initiatives, from changing the route to international partnerships with sponsors, which give the
sponsors, which give the perception of a race open to the world. It is fundamental for us to be able
work with the Federation to create a route where athletes choose the Milan Marathon to perform and to train. Milan to perform and to train, so that Milan becomes a stage on their path of
improvement. Thanks to many initiatives, our marathon has grown a lot and forged a stronger bond with the city. We do a lot of solidarity thanks to the relay, which involves
already more than 100 non-profit organisations for next year’s edition, and we are working with the
institutions to create a new generation of charities, with schools and companies. Running
is growing a lot and the whole movement is back to being one of the most followed disciplines
in our country.
TOG Foundation, Charity of the Year of the Milano Marathon
‘Milano Marathon is a project that we have been following with passion since 2017 and this result fills us of joy, because it is the result of teamwork, carried out every day with the
families, with the companies that support us with affection and with all the tireless TOG staff.
We believe there is a close link between the care we offer free of charge to our
children with severe neurological diseases and the marathon experience: we proceed by
stages and goals, we run together, to ease the fatigue. We win together, because every
small contribution makes a difference. Milan, then, is a city that always responds with
enthusiasm when it comes to solidarity, and we are happy to be able to make our contribution and to
contribution and to do so with all those who believe that challenges, even the most difficult ones, can be faced and won together.
can be faced and overcome together. For 2025 we want to run even further, we are
ready to cross another important milestone!’
