What a Sunday! Andrew Rotich Kwemoi’s long margin victory along with Yeman Crippa’s remarkable performance, both on their debut over such a distance, confirm the Lombardy marathon as the fastest in Italy in 2023. But above all, it all comes down to the energy of the over 18,000 runners of the Enel Milano Marathon and the Lenovo Relay Marathon, who filled the city with joy and colour. As if it were a brushstroke guided by the hand of Marc Chagall, the trail of champions, amateurs and enthusiasts tinted the severe profile of Italy’s economic capital and transformed it, once again, into the capital of running.
ENEL MILANO MARATHON
Andrew Rotich KWEMOI, Uganda, clocked 2.07.14 to become the new king of the 42.195 km race in Milan. Place of honour for Timothy Kipkorir KATTAM, Kenya, with 2.07.53 and John HAKIZIMANA, Rwanda, third with 2.08.18.
This makes the Enel Milano Marathon Italy’s fastest marathon of the year.
Yeman CRIPPA, like Kwemoi on his 42.195 km debut, was the day’s superstar. Spurred on by the warmest support from the crowd, he always remained in the leading group, which crossed the 10 km in 30.10, the 15 km in 45.11, the 20 km in 63.51, the 30 km in 1.40.48. At km 38, five were left in the lead, but at km 39, as Kwemoi sprinted, Yeman experienced a moment of difficulty. The Ugandan went solo, crossing the finish line on his own. But Crippa’s performance was nothing short of outstanding: fifth place, best of the Italians, with a time of 02.08.57.
In the women’s race, success for Sharon Jemutai CHEROP, Kenya, with an exceptional change of pace in the last kilometre, to finish in 02.26.13. The podium was completed by Sintayehu Ethlemahu DESSI, Ethiopia, with 02.26.30 and Emily Chebet KIPCHUMBA, Kenya, with 02.28.08.
Among the illustrious participants of the Enel Milano Marathon was Senator Matteo Renzi, at his first 42.195 km in Lombardy, after having run two in Florence. He started off with Mario Vanni, Chief of Cabinet of the City of Milan, and crossed the finish line with a time of 03.58.00.
The Enel Milano Marathon was aired by Sky Sport, the official broadcaster, with technical commentary by Nicola Roggero, Stefano Baldini and Lucilla Andreucci, coordinated by Federica Frola. While RDS 100% Grandi Successi was there with its presenters to cheer on and morally support the athletes.
MEN’S RANKING
- KWEMOI ANDREW ROTICH, Uganda, 02.07.14
- KATTAM TIMOTHY KIPKORIR, Kenya, 02.07.53
- HAKIZIMANA JOHN, Rwanda, 02.08.18
WOMEN’S RANKING
- CHEROP SHARON JEMUTAI, Kenya, 02.26.13
- DESSI ETHLEMAHU SINTAYEHU, Ethiopia, 02.26.30
- KIPCHUMBA EMILY CHEBET, Kenya, 02.28.08
LENOVO RELAY MARATHON
Corso Venezia, the Sforzesco Castle, Duomo Square, Piazzale Cadorna, CityLife and San Siro: the city’s landmarks provided the backdrop for a wonderful day of sport, for a tribute to what Haruki Murakami called “the art of running”.
Three thousand relay races, 900,000 euros collected for charity on the Rete del Dono, a result which confirms the great generosity of the running movement.
Among the numerous personalities who tackled one of the four relay fractions were former AC Milan stars Dida, Billy Costacurta and Massimo Ambrosini for the Italian Diabetes Foundation, as well as Alessandro Fabian, and Sport e Salute legends Filippo Magnini, Gabriella Dorio and Luana Pilia.
RANKING
- ESET – TD SYNNEX, 02.08.47
- DON KENYA TEAM, 02.10.15
- CUS PRO PATRIA 3, 02.28.08
STATEMENTS
Andrew Rotich KWEMOI, winner of the Enel Milano Marathon 2023 men: “It was my marathon debut, and I couldn’t have asked for a better day on a fast course like this. I was feeling good and managed to make the decisive move that led me to victory against great rivals“.
Sharon Jemutai CHEROP, winner of the Enel Milano Marathon 2023 women: “I suffered some confusion with the pacemakers in the first part of the race, but my goal was to win, I stayed focused and got it. I wanted to gor for it in the last two kilometres by trying to make a selection first, at the last kilometre I gave it my all, crossing the finish line alone. I’d like to thank Milan, it’s such a beautiful city, the public supported me the whole time. I am happy“.
Yeman CRIPPA: “I was hoping for better time honestly, but given how the race turned out and the unforeseen events, I am satisfied. I will be even more prepared for the next marathon. In the first half it was a bit slower than expected, but then we speeded up. The public supported me so much, they cheered me on all the way, thank you Milan for the energy you gave me“.
Paolo BELLINO, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sport: “We are very satisfied, it was a phenomenal day for sport and for the city of Milan, the best way to close our four-day event dedicated to the world of running. We are proud of the solidarity shown once again by the running movement with the Lenovo Relay Marathon and of the show offered by the top runners who did not shy away from an important event such as the Enel Milano Marathon“.
Matteo RENZI: “Nice, very nice to run among the symbols of Milan. For me it was a personal satisfaction: I wanted to stay under four hours, because I had never managed it before, and I did it. I always like to set myself new goals, because taking up challenges is the best thing in life“.
Massimo AMBROSINI: “How nice! I did the fourth fraction. I wasn’t the fastest of us, Billy (Costacurta) can’t be beaten, he’s very fast. But the goal was not to go fast, it was to reach a lot of people with our message in favour of the Italian Diabetes Foundation. Today the organisation won, people’s hearts won“.
Click here to check all classifications of the Enel Milano Marathon and the Lenovo Relay Marathon.
THE 2023 PARTNERS
Comune di Milano – Regione Lombardia – Sport e Salute.
Media Partner La Gazzetta dello Sport with Gazzetta Active // Radio Partner RDS 100% Grandi Successi // Official broadcaster: SKY Sport.
Enel (Title Sponsor) // Lenovo (Title Sponsor Relay Marathon) // ASICS (Technical Sponsor) // Levissima (Official Mineral Water&Green Partner e Title Sponsor della School Marathon) // Named Sport (Sport Nutrition Partner) // Sn4ifun (Fun Partner) // Toyota (Mobility Partner) // Festina (Official Timekeeper) // GLS (Official Partner) // DANONE HiPRO (Official Partner) // AUTOSTRADE (Official Partner) // BUSFORFUN (Official Partner) // YAMAHA (Official Scooter) // Comune di Cervia (Official Supplier) // Dole (Official Supplier) // // Nuncas (Live Partner) // RCS Academy – Learning Partner // Decathlon – Retail Partner School Marathon // Fruttolo – Official Partner School Marathon // Calypso (Official Timekeeper School Marathon) // Arcaplanet (Title Sponsor Dog Run). NATIVA (Regeneration Partner).
