Everything is ready for the “World Francigena Ultra Marathon” in Siena: the first walker’s marathon that touches the most beautiful villages of Tuscany and Lazio. On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October starting in Siena, it will be a unique experience of 120km to discover the breath-taking views at a slow pace, white roads and trails along the Via Francigena.
The first European ultramarathon along Sigeric’s ancient route, at a trekking and Nordic walking pace, it offers four routes with the possibility of participating in the first, non-stop walk of 120km from Siena to Acquapendente. The event was presented today, Tuesday the 17th October, during a press conference in which Bruno Valentini, mayor of the municipality of Siena, took part, along with Sonia Pallai, councillor for tourism of the municipality of Siena, and Riccardo Crisanti, councillor for youth policy, events, Francigena of the municipality of Acquapendente.
The identikit of the ‘modern pilgrim’. There will be 700 people at the ‘starting point’ of the first edition of the “World Francigena Ultra Marathon”, 370 men and 330 women. Preferring a slow walk through the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany and Lazio will be the ‘walkers over 50’, ranging from 51-60 year olds; 247 will be participating, equal to 35% of the total participants. Following them are 228 (32%) ‘adults’, from 41-50 years old. The walk even attracts younger people, which represent 12% of those taking part. There will also be 11 over 70s taking part in the first marathon, ready to challenge themselves with of the four slow routes.
The first edition of the “World Francigena Ultra Marathon” reaches some of the most appealing villages of the Via Francigena between Tuscany and Alto Lazio: from Monteroni D’Arbia to Buonconvento arriving at Torrenieri, district of Montalcino; San Quirico d’Orcia and Bagno Vignoni, skirting Gallina, district of Castiglion d’Orcia up to Radicofani, descending to Ponte a Rigo, district of San Casciano Dei Bagni and Proceno. The participants will have the possibility to dive into the past, step by step, crossing ancient hamlets, rural landscapes and immaculate natural areas to experience a unique experience in Europe. The first ultramarathon, exclusively reserved for walkers, offers four routes: the first, a non-stop 120km from Siena to Acquapendente, beginning Saturday 21st October at 10am; the second, the 32km leg from Siena to Buonconvento, beginning Saturday 21st October at 10am; the third, the 65km route from San Quirico d’Orcia to Acquapendente, starting Saturday 21st October at night (at 10pm) and lastly, the fourth of 32km from Radicofani to Acquapendente, departing Sunday 22nd October at 9am.
Ufficio stampa Agenzia Robespierre
Find attached the press release of the conference in Siena on the 17th October, with additional information.
