Trekking and Nordic walking event on the ancient Sigeric route will take place on 10 and 11 October starting in Piazza del Campo.
This non-competitive trekking and Nordic walking ultramarathon allows its participants to discover historical, cultural and environmental heritage along the Via Francigena between Tuscany and Lazio.
“We are very satisfied, – tells us Alberto Tirelli, Siena Councillor for Tourism, – despite all current difficulties, we have reached 1000 participants arriving from outside the region, a result which confirms an exponential growth of sustainable tourism”. The Councillor then underlines that “the Via Francigena, mother of the paths, fascinates residents and non-residents, who can safely discover its beautiful stretches”.
The mayor of Acquapendente Angelo Ghinassi remarks “2020 edition will take place with the utmost respect for all anti-Covid measures, – adding that: “Walking Francigena Ultramarathon continues to be an important event for promotion of the Via Francigena which unites local communities involved “.
Eraldo Ammannati, Via Francigena focal point in the Municipality of Monteriggioni and member of the EAVF board explains “Siena-Acquapendente and Lucca-Siena are two flagships of slow tourism in terms of landscape beauty and organizational capacities”.
2020 novelty is a night passage in Abbadia San Salvatore with exhibition displays and lighted torches along the town, highlighting its Abbey.
Bib numbers can only be collected at starting points of different sections by presenting a registration email and a self-certification form with a sole exception of those who make two sections (Siena Buonconvento + Buonconvento San Quirico or Siena Buonconvento + Radicofani Acquapendente), who can collect both bibs directly in Siena.
In order to reduce crowds and to respect distancing, members of associated groups and families are advised to assign a single person to the collection which can be carried out in Piazza del Campo at a stand located in front of the Palazzo Comunale on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 October on 09.00 – 13.00 and 13.00 -17.00 or on Saturday 10 October on 07.00 – 10.00.
Five Routes
The event is divided into five routes of various length.
The most demanding, 120 km long, is Siena – Acquapendente, starting on Saturday 10 October, at 10 am in Piazza del Campo.
Siena-Buonconvento: 35 km.
Buonconvento – San Quirico d’Orcia: the shortest route of 20 km, starting on 10 October at 15.00 in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi in Buonconvento. Bib collection at the Pro Loco stand on 14.00 – 15.00.
San Quirico d’Orcia-Acquapendente: 65 km. Starting Saturday 10 October at 21.00 from San Quirico d’Orcia (Piazza Chigi). Same place for bib collection on 18.30 – 21.00.
Radicofani-Acquapendente: 32 km. Starting on Sunday 11 October at 9.00 in St. Peter’s Square in Radicofani, where bibs can be collected on 18.30 to 20.45.
140 people are employed for this event, working on 20 refreshment points. Participants are offered a georeferencing and tracking app useful in case of emergency and to check distances.
The event is organized by the Tourism Department of the Municipality of Siena and the Sports and Tourism Department of Acquapendente together with the Sienese Trekking Group, patronage of the European Association of the Via Francigena ways, Tuscany Region, in collaboration with the Municipalities of Monteroni d’Arbia, Buonconvento, Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia, Radicofani, San Casciano dei Bagni, Abbadia San Salvatore and Proceno.
More information on: www.francigenaultramarathon.it
