Udine - from left: Luciano Baraldo, Alberto Cova, Stefano Baldini, Enrico Bertossi, LOC President, Ennio Della Mea, Executive Director, Venanzio Ortis (© loc)
The 2nd IAAF World Road Running Championships on 14 October 2007 will be the first World Championships ever organized by the Italian town of Udine.
At the Chamber of Commerce Palace in the city of Milan today, the World Road Running Championships were officially presented to the media and among the many VIPs giving their backing were some of Italy’s former distance running greats including 1983 World, 1984 Olympic and 1982 European 10,000m winner Alberto Cova and 1978 European 5000m winner Venanzio Ortis.
Also, on hand to give his personal testimonial on behalf of the event was Stefano Baldini, the reigning Olympic and European Marathon champion.
Even though Baldini is focused on this summer’s marathon at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, he is also thinking of shorter distances and has already confirmed his participation at the “Maratonina of Udine” on 27 May. This year the race will act as the Italian half marathon championships and will be run on the same course of the World Road Running Championships. The race will be the official test event.
“After the bad conclusion to my London Marathon (Baldini dropped out at 28km) my planning has yet to be confirmed definitely but in any case I will be at the World Road Running Championships in Udine and I do not exclude being there as athlete,” confirmed Baldini.
The spectacular loop course in Udine, which is approximately 7 km long and which will be run three times, starts and finishes in Piazza Primo Maggio, the city centre, and offers attractive scenery and is considered fast for record purposes. Its route will also be resurfaced prior to the race to make it as fast as possible.
The region of Friuli Venezia Giulia is working hard for this event, explained Mr. Enrico Bertossi, the President of the Local Organizing Committee and Productive Activities Committee Chairman. The Executive Director, Mr. Ennio Della Mea, also illustrated the technical aspects of the event, and confirmed that the LOC has been working for several months to organize this event and to achieve the highest standards.
For further information the official site of the event is now on-line - www.wrrc2007.it
