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Running
around Italy
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December
means marathons in Italy - so put on your running
shoes and get into gear . . .
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 Scientists
agree that if indeed a God exists, then He (or She)
designed our legs for something greater than sitting
under tables gathering dust, or lying curled up
under our bums as we watch television. No, our legs
were made for walking, jogging, skipping, jumping
or even running one of the many marathons that are
scheduled to take place all over Italy in the last
few weeks of 2001.
Marathon season kicks off in Tuscany, at the
Florence Marathon on November 25th.
Runners can choose between the full distance 42.195
km (26 miles) - check out the history of the marathon
- or the half-marathon which is designed for beginners.
Then it's off to Milan on December 2nd
for - yes, you've guessed it - ‘Milano
Marathon’. If you're planning to spend
some time in Milan don't forget that the marathon
coincides with the Feast of Saint Ambrose - the
city's patron, as well as the opening of La
Scala Opera House. So get booking to enjoy
Milan at its festive best decked with Christmas
decorations and roasting chestnuts on every corner.
The Maratona Dannunziana di Spoltore takes
place near Pescara on December 8th.
Then its straight on to Latina for its marathon
on the 9th, although serious runners
will probably head for the prestigious Palermo
Marathon which takes place on the same day.
Then on the 16th we all meet up
in Reggio
Emilia to burn more rubber (site in Italian
only).
The Assisi
Marathon, on December 31st,
deserves a separate mention as it is part of
the "Millennium for peace" project. The project,
which brings together groups such as the International
Centre for Peace between Peoples, is campaigning
the United Nations to declare the new millennium
as the Millennium for Peace and wipe out war and
hunger for ever. Quite a tall order considering
present times. . .
Fit to run
Find out your level of fitness by doing the Cooper
Test, originally developed by the American
doctor, Kenneth Cooper in the 1960s to test American
pilots.
Get into gear
Don't make the mistake of slipping on a T-shirt
and shorts - even Italy is cold in winter. We advise
cotton-lined lycra leggings, a long-sleeved T-shirt
and a light fleece. And a pair of comfortable running
shoes, of course.
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MARCELLO
PARMEGGIANI |
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November
8th, 2001
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
