News16 Oct 2006


Di Vito and Filiberto win Palermo Supermarathon

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Lorena Di Vito winning the Palermo Supermarathon (© Sean Wallace Jones)

Italy’s Lorena Di Vito and Carlo Filiberto were clear winners in Sunday’s (15) Palermo Supermarathon run over 50 kilometres through the city centre and parks of the Sicilian capital.

The day's event was remarkable for the general absence of elite runners as the race director, Nando Sorbello had decided to concentrate his efforts on doing the maximum possible for the general field rather than consecrating a large budget to bring in a field of top runners.

“We took the decision that this year we would really do our utmost to privilege the ‘ordinary’ participants in the race, making sure that they have a great race pack and go home with excellent memories of Palermo and the Supermarathon, whether they are running in the half marathon, the full marathon or the Supermarathon”, said Sorbello. “We have also made some important modifications to the course to resolve some of the problems that we encountered last year (when Palermo hosted the final of the IAU 50km Challenge)”.

The general level of the performances reflected this decision, with the 3:45:29 result of Di Vito - who as the reigning Italian champion in the 24 hour race was the only really big name competing this year - the most credible mark of the day. Indeed, she was the second runner overall across the line in the 50km race. Last year Di Vito came third in the 50km race here with a time of 3:48:08.

Of the men in the Supermarathon, Carlo Filiberto was the first home with a time of 3:25:37, well clear of the second man to finish, Vincenzo Taormina of Italy, in 3:48:19, with Salvatore Giordano third in 3:53:15.

The day’s competition included three races, with the men’s half marathon a run-away victory for Giovanni Soffietto in 1:11:54 ahead of Fabio Ruggeri, 1:13:41 and Angelo Falletta 1:13:45.

The women’s half marathon race was won by Patrizia Gioviale in 1:28:15 well clear of second-place Carla Grimaudo in 1:32:09 and Monica Baldi in 1:33:44.

Over the full marathon distance, Benedetto Patti from Italy took the honours in 2:57:31 in the men’s race in front of Portugal’s Alfonso Silva (3:00:25) and Bernardo De Gregorio (ITA – 3:06:03).

British club runner Nicola Carter was first woman across the finish line after her 42.195 km, in 3:42:58, ahead of Italy’s Giovanna Occhipinti in 3:45:57 and Netherlands’ Renée Brouwers in 3:47:58.

Sean Wallace Jones for the IAAF

 

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