With 8,545 registered participants, the Milano Marathon sets a new record. Over 16,000 runners participated in the UniCredit Relay Marathon for a charity fundraise, not yet completed, of over €1.2 million on the Rete del Dono platform, with a target of €1.5 million.
Milan, 7 April 2024 – Today, under the benevolent gaze of the Madonnina, the 8,545 participants in the 22nd edition of the Wizz Air Milano Marathon (a new record) paraded through Piazza del Duomo, immediately followed by the loud and colourful relay runners in the UniCredit Relay Marathon. This memorable day of sport followed the Milano Running Festival presented by Sky, in which over 50,000 people participated from Thursday to Saturday, and the Levissima Family Run, featuring 8,000 runners including children and adults of all ages.
WIZZ AIR MILANO MARATHON
In the men’s 26.2-mile race in Milan Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei of Kenyatook the crown, with a time of 2:07:12.His fellow countryman Raymond Kipchumba Choge came second in 2:07:36 and Uganda’s Andrew Rotich Kwemoi arrived in third place with a time of 2:07:52.
Meanwhile Ethiopia’s Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu was victorious in the women’s marathon, completing the 26.2 miles in 2:26:32. In second place was Kenya’s Sophy Jepchirchir, with a time of 2:27:12, followed by Fanty Shugi Gelasa, of Ethiopia, in 2:30:52.
The Wizz Air Milano Marathon was broadcast by Sky Sport, the official broadcaster, with commentary by Nicola Roggero, Stefano Baldini and Lucilla Andreucci. While radio station RDS 100% Grandi Successi and its presenters cheered on and supported the athletes.
MALE RANKING
- Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei, Kenya, 2:07:12.
- Raymond Kipchumba Choge, Kenya, 2:07:36.
- Andrew Rotich Kwemoi, Uganda, 2:07:52.
FEMALE RANKING
- Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu, Ethiopia, 2:26:32.
- Sophy Jepchirchir, Kenya, 2:27:12.
- Fanty Shugi Gelasa, Ethiopia, 2:30:52.
THE RACE
The pace was quick from the 8:30am start, with a group of 12 athletes completing the first 10km in 29:56. Ten of those competitors moved out in front, registering a half-marathon time of 1:03:43. Shortly after the 30km mark (1:30:51), four athletes broke away: Kwemoi, Kipkosgei, Too, Choge. Then came the fireworks after the 34th kilometre. Andrew Rotich Kwemoi, winner of the 2023 edition with 2:07:14 on his debut over the distance, disrupted proceedings as he sought to break clear. However, just before the 38th kilometre, he was caught by Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei. At that point it was a two-horse race. At kilometre 39, the Kenyan Kipkosgei moved out on his own, and after shaking off Kwemoi, took command of the race. Towards the last kilometre, Kwemoi paid for his ploy and was also overtaken by Raymond Kipchumba Choge. Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei crossed the finish line alone and took a well-deserved triumph in 2:07:12, a new personal best.
In the women’s field, Fantu Shugi Gelasa was the absolute star at the start on the race, running the half marathon in 1:10:34 and completing the first 30 kilometres in 1:40:59. Her pace was too fast, however, as she dropped off the pace, allowing Tigist Memuye Gebeyah to recover and sprint to victory. She crossed the finish line in 2:27:12.
UNICREDIT RELAY MARATHON
The UniCredit Relay Marathon kicked off at 9:05am, with 16,000 runners taking part. Over €1.2 million has been raised so far on the Rete del Dono platform, with donations not yet completed, but the target remains €1.5 million.
Among the many personalities to run a section of the marathon on Sunday were Silvia Salis, deputy vice president of CONI, and….
RANKING
- 10.TUSCANY CAMP, 2:07:50
- ESET 1, 2:12:30
- ALTRA – POLISPORTIVA MOVING, 2:13:31
COMMENTS
Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei, men’s winner of the Wizz Air Milano Marathon 2024: “I am very happy with my performance and to have achieved my new personal best in a beautiful city like Milan. I was very careful to manage my energy and preferred to run at my own pace. When I took the lead, I spurred myself on and found the energy for the final sprint. Thank you, Milan, also for all the support along the course.”
Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu, women’s winner of the Wizz Air Milano Marathon 2024: “What an unexpected victory and what joy! I didn’t expect to get back in front, but I believed until the end. This means a lot to be, because Milan marks my return to competition after a long injury. In Ethiopia, I train every day with the marathon world record holder and the reigning world champion, and both of them motivated me before I left for Italy.”Paolo Bellino, chief executive officer and general manager of RCS Sport: “Four exceptional days for Milan and for running have come to an end. It was a record-breaking marathon for us: we have ambitious goals for the coming years and we are already working on them. It was a great success for the Wizz Air Milano Marathon, which set a record number of registered participants and achieved a significant proportion of international participants. Just as significant was the UniCredit Relay Marathon, which was the winner in terms of solidarity. The Levissima Family Run and the Dog Run Arcaplanet filled the City Life district and the Milano Running Festival presented by Sky with colour.”
Silvia Salis, deputy vice president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI): “‘I started my journey as a runner with Roma Ostia a month ago. Here I ran with the charity ‘C’è da fare’ of Paolo Kessisoglu and Silvia – it was important to be there. I came with my sister and some athlete friends from Genoa. Milan is always beautiful, but with the sun and thousands of people doing sport, it is very beautiful indeed.”
Martina Riva, councillor for sport, tourism and youth policies at the Municipality of Milan: “Witnessing the start of the Milano Marathon is always greatly exciting. Piazza del Duomo has further enhanced this important event, which is a fixture of the Milan sports schedule. The city reacted well and the fan points proved to be a wonderful new feature.”
Luigi Macchia, brigadier general, coordinator of the sports events committee for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Guardia di Finanza: “It was a great honour for us to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Guardia di Finanza together with the athletes of the Milano Marathon and the citizens who have supported us over the years. The participation of the finance police and the athletes of the Fiamme Gialle [sports section of the Italian police force, ed.] in this event underlines the social and sporting value of the marathon. We recognise that sport is a powerful tool for promoting values such as the spirit of sacrifice, fair play, and the sense of teamwork and belonging that have always been at the heart of our mission as a Corps.”
Click here to see all rankings of the Wizz Air Milano Marathon and the UniCredit Relay Marathon: https://api.endu.net/r/r/85837
2024 Partners
Lombardy regional authority, Municipality of Milan, CONI and Italian Athletics Federation (FIDAL).Wizz Air (title sponsor) // ASICS (technical partner) // UniCredit (Relay Marathon title sponsor and Milano Marathon top sponsor) // Levissima (official mineral water – green partner & Family Run title sponsor) // 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 (Dog Run title sponsor and Milano Marathon official partner) // Payserve (official partner) // GLS (official partner) // DANONE HiPRO (official partner) // Fit.Fe by Fede (official beauty partner) // Douglas (official partner) // Moto Morini (official motorcyle) // 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 (family run official partner) // Novi (family run official partner) // Calypso (family run official timekeeper) // Sky (Milano Marathon premium & media partner, Milano Running Festival presenting partner).
Media Partner La Gazzetta dello Sport // F – magazine partner // RDS 100% Grandi Successi – radio partner // Sky Sport – official broadcaster.
