Running is a pure expression of freedom, in any circumstance and in any weather condition. Those who practice it know it well and, in fact, this morning they certainly didn't let themselves be frightened by the bad weather on the occasion of the thirty-eighth edition of Vivicittà with departure and arrival in Piazza Garibaldi in Cagliari. The demonstration, whose theme this year was that of rights including that of peace, the environment and education, was organized by the Uisp committee of Cagliari and took place simultaneously throughout Italy starting at 9.30 in point ; the 10 km competitive race was dominated by Valerio Caredda with a time of 35'42'' and Enrica Pintor in 43'34'' . For both, a test of character, leading from the first meter on a selective and at the same time fascinating course in the heart of Cagliari, in which a total of 200 people competed, of which 150 for the 10 km race and 50 for the walk recreational motor just over 3 km.
The race
Three laps in the programme, on a track characterized by ups and downs and made even more grim by the cold headwind and the heavy rain with which the athletes had to deal right from the start. Departure, precisely, from piazza Garibaldi then immediately a climb to be tackled in via XXIV Maggio, from that point the runners headed towards Villanova, via Iglesias, piazza Gramsci, via San Lucifero to then descend towards via Dante, via Paoli with passage in piazza Garibaldi . Caredda, from Athletics Ogliastra, immediately sets a decisive pace, goes ahead from the start, aware that he is the man to beat: behind him, a stubborn Alberto Sulis (Blue Tribune) tries to get close by gaining a few seconds when there are 3 km at the conclusion. Caredda, however, still has energy to spend and encouraged by his father and coach Dionisio further increases the pace thus increasing his advantage, preceding Sulis second in 36'15'', completing the podium Pierfrancesco Aru (Olympia Villacidro) in 36'40 ''. Among the women, the scenario that lies ahead is almost the same: Enrica Pintor of Isolarun knows she's the favourite, doesn't waste time on tactics and faces her test decisively. Behind her Annalisa Abbinante (Cagliari Marathon Club) was detached by about 20 seconds on the first lap but then the gap between the two became more and more conspicuous. The Isolarun standard-bearer triumphed by a wide margin over Abbinante, second in 45'40'', and over Viviana Fanari (Runners Cagliari) in 46'18''.
Comments
At the end of the event, the rain was still heavy, Caredda approached her father Dionisio: an affectionate hug, a brief analysis of the race that had just ended and an immediate gaze towards the future. « I started strong from the beginning, I wanted to have a tight race», the words of the winner. « It was certainly a good experience, I wanted to win, that was my goal, having finished second last year . The focus for this year will be the 800 and 1500 but I'm not excluding the 5000 as well; I'm still very young, we'll see."
Satisfaction and a pinch of disbelief also for Enrica Pintor who obtained the first victory of her career. « For me this is the first ever victory since I've been racing, I didn't expect it and I'm very happy», her words. « The weather has clearly made everything more difficult but racing in the rain and cold is part of the game: now I will compete in Chia on the 23rd of April on the road and always on the road in Cagliari on the 7th of May. Then I'll also race on the track, I'll do the 1500 and 5000».
The awards ceremonies begin, the athletes get on the podium but there is still time for a final assessment. " The rain didn't abandon us but today was still a success," concludes Andrea Culeddu, head of major events at Uisp Cagliari . « All the participants enjoyed themselves, the winners represent two valuable elements of the island's middle distance, their success was predictable. From now on we will focus on the next edition: we don't know yet which route we will choose but it will certainly be in the center of Cagliari. The magic of Vivicittà lies precisely in this». A rushed magic that never ceases to convert and excite.