Those who practice athletics and, in particular, the middle distance, know it well: the leap in quality comes with patience, meticulousness, following disappointments, difficult moments and heavy workloads. In short words? Nothing is invented but everything is built with extreme abnegation: the Italian marathon record holder Iliass Aouani has built his career on these principles and his record of 2h07'16'' signed on March 19 in Barcelona is full proof of this. Iliass, registered for the Fiamme Azzurre, is a 27-year-old boy whose talent was clearly revealed in a major edition of the Tricolori Juniores on the track in Turin where, at the time in the Atletica Riccardi Milano stable, he made his the first Italian title in the 5000m category with a last 1000m in 2'43''. Breastplate 86, determined gaze, forefinger pointing at the sky: almost as if to give a warning that, after nine years, has turned into reality. For two years having moved to that Ferrara so dear to Gabriele D'Annunzio, Iliass walks serenely, relaxed and at the same time focused on the future: just like when it was a conscious promise to have a sacred fire inside capable of making him make a difference.
Aouani let's start from the Italian record in the marathon of March 19: what were your sensations?
« I had just returned from a very important training cycle, I knew I could overcome myself and be able to perform an efficient test. I was aware of my work, I ran with full concentration and focus on my body and balance. The Italian record is nothing more than the result of painstaking daily work together with my coach Massimo Magani».
Do you think you're worth a time under 2h07''?
" Absolutely, for a number of reasons."
Which?
« The Barcelona marathon is not very fast, the course is not the easiest. Furthermore, I ran the last 12 km alone, the last 3 of which uphill: these are factors that influence an athlete's performance».
You come from a fast middle-distance background: when did you realize that the marathon would be your future?
« Right from the start, since I was a teenager, I responded better to aerobic stimuli. In short, it was my destiny."
Speaking of fast middle distance, in 2012 you took part in the Tricolori Allievi on track where Sardinia won two Italian titles with Raffaele Nonne in the 1500m and Alice Cocco in the 3000m.
« Yes, in Florence I remember very well. I did the 2000 steeplechase but withdrew, in that race a Sardinian athlete named Agostino Saba finished sixth while Raffaele Nonne di Fonni won the 1500, a talented boy who I learned had recently got back into the game. It seems like yesterday but more than ten years have already passed ».
First you nominated Massimo Magnani: how much did the move with a coach of your caliber influence your career?
« Massimo Magnani represented the turning point in my career, he has been following me since 2021, the year I moved to Ferrara. In addition to being one of the most significant instructors of middle distance and cross-country skiing from a technical point of view, he has great empathy: he was able to look beyond, seeing in me a potential that not even I was aware of being able to develop. He was able to motivate me and push me to do better, fundamental aspects for an athlete».
How important is the comparison with other blue cross-country skiers like Eyob Faniel, Yohannes Chiappinelli and Yeman Crippa in the marathon?
« In any case, this is a very positive period for Italian marathon runners. We've known each other for many years with these guys, there's a stimulating but healthy rivalry and, above all, great mutual respect. We can all grow a lot."
What do you remember about the five years you spent in the United States where you earned your bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in structural engineering?
« Absolutely positive, for me it was an extremely formative experience. It allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, dealing with a different culture and with rhythms I wasn't used to. At the beginning there are some difficulties but then the fruits of one's sacrifices arrive».
In 2022 you participated in the Cross of Alà dei Sardi and won it. What experience was it?
« It was a splendid day, the cross of Alà dei Sardi is one of the iconic events of cross-country running. The organization is impeccable, the welcome of the Sardinian people magical, I'm still in touch with the people I met a year ago. I would have liked to be there again this year but I was in full preparation for the marathon, I hope to be there next year. It would be a real pleasure."
Speaking of the island, you are a friend of Gavino Bingio Garau, one of the strongest Sardinian marathon runners ever.
« Exactly. Bingio is a wonderful person, I met him when I moved to Ferrara because he has a deep friendship with my coach. We meet often, every time we go to Bologna to carry out hill training. I have great esteem for Bingio, he is truly a generous man of great altruism".
Who are you following during training besides your coach?
« Mauro Crivellini who follows me on his bike gives me a hand, he is a very precious help and I want to thank him for the support».
What will be the next goals?
« We haven't drawn up the program for the rest of the season yet, but there will certainly be a focus on the 10,000m on the track».
In 2014 he won his first Italian title. Did you ever imagine that athletics would become your life?
« I had just graduated, at that age it's easy to dream. Sure, imagining how the new Italian marathon record holder went beyond the wildest expectations but there's nothing impossible. You have to stay focused, focus on your goal and above all be patient: everything comes at the right time».
