Our meeting with the South Francigena Marathon is fast approaching. The first non-competitive walk along the Via Francigena of the South planned for the 28th April.
The event, organised by the amateur sports association Italian Walking Tour, affiliate company of the sport promotional entity, ASC, recognised by CONI, will take walkers to discover the hamlets and landscapes that characterise the Lazio section of the Francigena from Velletri to Rome.
Hundreds of people have registered for the event from all over Italy. There are three routes to discover on foot: the 42km Marathon starting from Velletri and ending in Rome; the 22km Half Marathon beginning in Velletri to arrive at Castel Gandolfo and lastly, the 12km Family Marathon starting from Nemi and ending in Castel Gandolfo.
The initiative involves of 8 municipalities (Velletri, Nemi, Rocca di Papa, Albano Laziale, Castel Gandolfo, Marino, Ciampino, Rome); 3 parks: Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, il Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica and Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani, as well as the notable historic site of the Roman Amphitheatre of Albano Laziale.
An event in the event: the South Francigena Marathon will be a day for environmental awareness and the promotion of healthy living, with particular attention to society and inclusion. The last 4km of the South Francigena Marathon, upon arriving at the Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella, will also include the “ParkyThon“, a walk available to those with Parkinson’s disease, created in collaboration with the Associazione Parkinson Giovanile Roma Onlus and the Comitato Italiano Associazioni Parkinson (to register on these events, email: info@comitatoparkinson.it).
“We are happy and satisfied by this synergy – says Paolo Falsini, president of the Italian Walking Tour – we are sensitive to this topic as walking helps people to feel better. We saw it as an association throughout the various initiatives over the years and, as Emanuela Olivieri, president of PGR Onlus Parkinson Giovanile Roma, recalled during the SFM press conference which took place in Castel Gandolfo “the only way to face this illness is to open yourself up to this world and the next”“.
Preparations for the first slow pace marathon along the Francigena of the South are therefore in full swing. Online registration is available until 15/04/2019 or upon reaching 3,000 people. For info and registration visit www.italianwalkingtour.com or email info@italianwalkingtour.com. The registration cost of €18,00 includes: Polizza FIASP insurance, snacks, assistance service along the road, marathon pack, indivudual bibs, European Association of Via Francigena Ways Pilgrim Passport and return transport.
The South Francigena collaborates with the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (main partner), Radio Francigena (media partner) and is supported by: the region of Lazio, metropolitan city of Rome, Capital of Rome, municipalities of Velletri, Nemi, Rocca di Papa, Albano Laziale, Castel Gandolfo, Ciampino and Marino. The initiative is also supported by ASC Sport, Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani and Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica. Event partners include: Gruppo dei 12, Festival Europeo delle Vie Francigene, Consorzio SBCR, Visit Castelli Romani and Circolo Legambiente Appia Sud Il Riccio.
Source: press release South Francigena Marathon
