Milan, 6 April 2024 – A record number of over 8,500 runners will set off from Piazza del Duomo at 8:30 on Sunday morning for the 22nd Wizz Air Milano Marathon, organised by RCS Sports & Events.
With registration now closed, 35% of runners are foreigners – a significant figure underlining the international appeal of the Milan Marathon and the many connected events.
TOP RUNNERS
The elite athletes could offer plenty of surprises for fans of road-running this year. The favourite is Andrew Rotich Kwemoi of Uganda, who won the 2023 edition with a time of 2:07:14 on his marathon debut. He’s back in Milan this year looking to repeat his success and better it. His main challengers could be 25-year-old Ethiopian Tesfahun Akalnew Guangul, with a personal best of 2:06:55, Kenyan Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei (2:07:46) and Kenyan-born Turk Ilham Tanui Ozbilen, who recently recorded a none-too-shabby time of 2:10:16 having switched to marathon distance after a successful track career.
There will be plenty of promising debutants appearing on Sunday too: Ethiopian Gerba Beyata Dibaba, Kenyan Isaac Kibet and compatriot Isaac Kipkemboi Too, who has already won many races over shorter distances on Italian soil.
The women’s line-up also looks fascinating with the likes of Ethiopian trio Kuftu Tahir Dadiso (personal best of 2:23:14), Alemayehu Haimanot Shewe (2:25:51) and Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu (2:24:23).
Potential outsiders include fellow Ethiopians Fantu Shugi Gelasa (2:29:30) and Tigist Bikila Deme (2:30:37) as well as Sophy Jepchirchir of Kenya (2:30:31). Europe’s best hopes lie with Sweden’s Hanna Lindholm, who has a personal best of 2:29:59.
ROUTE AND FAN POINTS
The route is once again a loop with the same start and finish. Around 19 km of the race are in the city centre, taking in many of Milan’s famous sights such as La Scala, Brera, San Babila, Castello Sforzesco and Largo Cairoli, as well as City Life and Portello. The rest of the route passes through QT8, San Siro, Trenno and Gallaratese before returning to the Duomo. The course is sure to delight top runners and amateurs alike, offering the chance to admire a city that oozes both historic and contemporary charm.
This year sees the introduction of 15 fan points, four of which with DJ sessions, involving schools, sports associations, Fidal Lombardia and the not-for-profit organisations registered for the relay. These fan points will give elites and amateurs a taste of the local support while offering citizens a great opportunity to enjoy a Sunday dedicated to sport.
MILANO RUNNING FESTIVAL
In the meantime, the three-day Milano Running Festival presented by Sky, held within the MiCo, has recorded some incredible statistics, with an estimated 40,000 people visiting between Thursday and Saturday.
Today’s activities included the Levissima Family Run, which took place in CityLife and attracted over 8,000 runners, with children and adults of all ages taking part. Dog Run Arcaplanet was then run in the afternoon: a non-competitive two km route for pets and pet parents, again in CityLife.
Among the indoor events was a chat session with Ivan Basso and Francesca Polti, while other guests included Stefano Baldini, Eyob Faniel and the much-anticipated Federica Pellegrini,who spoke to Federica Brignoli of F magazine.
There was also an Olimpia Milano Meet & Greet with Gigi Datome and Nicolo Melli, together with Laura Strati of FIDAL, and an ASICS Meet & Greet with Daniele Meucci.
Last but not least, the pacers were presented on the Running Festival’s centre stage.
The 22nd Wizz Air Milano Marathon starting gun goes off at 8:30 tomorrow morning, followed by the UniCredit Relay Marathon at 9:15.
2024 PARTNER
Regione Lombardia, Comune di Milano, CONI e FIDAL. Wizz Air (Title Sponsor) // ASICS (Technical Partner) // UniCredit (Title Sponsor Relay Marathon e Top Sponsor Milano Marathon) // Levissima (Official Mineral Water – Green Partner & Title Family Run) // Pulsee Luce e Gas (Premium Partner) // Named (Sport Nutrition Partner) // Nissan (Official Car) // Festina (Official Timekeeper) // Lenovo (Official Partner) // Gruppo San Donato (Official Medical Partner) // Arcaplanet (Title Sponsor Dog Run e Official Partner Milano Marathon) // Payserve (Official Partner) // GLS (Official Partner) // DANONE HiPRO (Official Partner) // Fit.Fe by Fede (Official Beauty Partner) // Douglas (Official Partner) // Moto Morini (Official Moto) // Felicia (Official Supplier) // Metro 5 (Official Supplier) // Nuncas (Live Partner) // RCS Academy (Learning Partner) // UNA Hotels (Official Hotel) // Mielizia (Official Supplier) // MiCo (Official Exhibitor Partner) // Fruttolo (Official Partner Family Run) // Novi (Official Partner Family Run) // Calypso (Official Timekeeper Family Run) // Sky (Premium & Media Partner Milano Marathon e Presenting Partner Milano Running Festival).
Media Partner La Gazzetta dello Sport // F – Magazine Partner // RDS 100% Grandi Successi, la Radio Partner // Sky Sport il broadcaster ufficiale.
