Bolzano can look forward to some big names. © Mosna

On New Year's Eve: Bolzano looks forward to a world-class field

As is tradition, the top starters of the Bolzano New Year's Eve run were presented on Monday evening at the headquarters of the Raiffeisen Association in the run-up to the BOclassic South Tyrol.

30 December 2025

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Nadia Battocletti will be the one to beat on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The defending champion is aiming for her third consecutive victory at the 50th anniversary BOclassic Südtirol and, if possible, also wants to challenge the course record. That record has stood at 15:22 minutes since 2021 and was set by Ethiopian Dawit Seyaum, who, like Battocletti, has won the Bolzano New Year's Eve race twice.

“Admittedly, the end of the year is a bit stressful. I was made an honorary citizen of my hometown of Cavareno on Sunday, I have my last exam at university tomorrow, Tuesday, and then on Wednesday is the big showdown at the BOclassic. This race launched my rise two years ago, and I simply love coming back to Bolzano. I hope I can carry this momentum into 2026,” said Battocletti, who won two World Championship medals in September (silver in the 10.000m and bronze in the 5000m). Battocletti's personal best time over 5km is now 14:23 minutes.

Battocletti (center) was the focus of the journalists. © Mosna

Her biggest rival on New Year's Eve is likely to be a young athlete from Ethiopia. Ksanet Alem, 21 years old, has a personal best of 15:24 minutes in the 5km. The African runner, who was present at the media event in Bolzano, will be on the starting line at Waltherplatz for the first time. Her time puts her slightly behind Briton Cari Hughes, who set a new personal best of 15:05 minutes this year.

The complete podium for 2024 is included.

The men's elite race is expected to be even more competitive, and as in previous years, it will take place before the women's race. The starting gun for the 10-kilometer long-distance runners will sound at 12:50 PM. The field will be led by last year's winner, Telahun Haile Bekele, who a year ago was the first to break the 28-minute barrier at the BOclassic South Tyrol (27:59).

“Of course I want to win again this year; I really enjoy the BOclassic. I’m in good shape, and running in Italy is always great,” said the 26-year-old Ethiopian. The top four finishers from last year are all back: Yeman Crippa from Italy, Charles Rotich from Kenya, and Maxime Chaumeton from South Africa. The strong field is further enhanced by Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia, two-time 10.000m world championship silver medalist and half-marathon world record holder.

An interesting field of participants. © Mosna

“The mere presence of Nadia Battocletti underscores the importance of the BOclassic South Tyrol. Not to mention the strong field in the men's race. The hopefully large crowd can once again look forward to a real treat, a fantastic celebration of running,” said athletes' manager Gianni Demadonna at the press conference, where Alessio Punzi (World Athletics), Paolo Valt (President of the South Tyrol Athletics Federation), Christiane Warasin and Andreas Widmann from the organizing committee, the Deputy Mayor of Bolzano Stephan Konder, and host Herbert von Leon, Chairman of the Raiffeisen Association of South Tyrol, also addressed the audience.

Valt emphasized the importance of the BOclassic South Tyrol for young athletes, noting that the Raiffeisen Youth Cup will be held for up-and-coming runners starting at 12:20 PM, prior to the elite races. Warasin confirmed the rest of the event's program, including live coverage of the elite competitions on RAI Sport and RAI South Tyrol. The BOclassic South Tyrol kicks off with the non-competitive Pensplan Centrum Just for Fun (starting at 10:45 AM). This is followed by the BOclassic Ladurner Volkslauf (fun run) for all amateur athletes (starting at 11:30 AM), before the youth races and finally the highlight – the elite races. Registrations for all races are in full swing, and preparations are nearly complete, as confirmed by Andreas Widmann, President of the Runners Club Bozen Raiffeisen.

Program 51. BOclassic South Tyrol

10.45 a.m.: Pensplan Centrum Just-for-fun (1,25 – 5 km = 1-4 laps)
11.30:5 pm: Ladurner fun run (4 km = XNUMX laps)
12:20 pm: Raiffeisen Youth Cup (1,25 to 2,5 km = 1 or 2 laps)
12.50:10 p.m.: BOclassic Elite Men (8 km = XNUMX laps)
13.30 p.m.: BOclassic Elite women (5 km = 4 laps)