BOclassic 2013: The countdown is running

Following the example of the New Year's Eve run in Sao Paolo, the Bozen Running Club also launched a New Year's Eve run in Bolzano in 1975. Today the BOclassic is the busiest New Year's Eve run in the world. Around 15.000 spectators are expected to once again create a crackling atmosphere on Waltherplatz. For the first time, the New Year's Eve run will take place parallel to the Christmas market. Since this will move back to the eastern half of Waltherplatz from December 26th, there will be no disruption to the New Year's Eve run. “On the contrary, this new combination is a win-win for both sides,” says OK President Gerhard Warasin. “It creates an additional atmosphere for both sides,” says the president of the spa administration, Dado Duzzi. The Rai station Bozen or Rai Sport will broadcast the race live again on the last day of the year.

Athlete manager Gianni Demadonna is trying to bring top-class runners to Bolzano again. “I was even in contact with running legend Haile Gebrselassie, but his starting fee would have been too high,” said Demadonna. Instead comes someone who Gebrselassie probably wouldn't have won against anyway, namely Imane Merga. The 25-year-old Ethiopian is the defending champion in Bolzano. In 2010 he defeated double Olympic champion Mo Farah in the final sprint. Merga was already world champion. By the way, his great role model is Gebrselassie. The first challenger is Merga's compatriot Muktar Edris. The junior world champion was second last year.

As in the previous year, the women's runner-up is the first favorite. Instead of Sylvia Kibet comes her Kenyan compatriot Gladys Cherono, runner-up at the World Championships in the 10.000 m. Cherono was the first runner to achieve the double over 5000 and 10.000 m at the African Championships. And that is just the beginning of a series of top runners who will go to the BOclassic Bolzano should come.

Silvia Weissteiner is certainly one of the stars. The 34-year-old local hero was an excellent third in 2006 and 2011. For them, the BOclassic is the umpteenth attempt at a comeback after an injury break. Junior Anna Stefani, Kathrin Hanspeter from Sarnen and Markus Ploner will also be taking part on the 1,25 km long circuit through the historic streets of Bolzano.

“The BOclassic is a top-class and popular sports event at the same time,” says running club president Gerhard Brandstätter. In the run-up to the elite races for women (5 km) and men (10 km), the BOclassic Ladurner fun run over 10 km will take place for the 5th time on the original route.

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BOclassic 2013: The countdown is running

Lots of spectators, crackling excitement and top-class athletics - and as a bonus, the atmosphere of the Christmas market. The BOclassic is considered the most crowded New Year's Eve run in the world. The 39th edition was presented on Tuesday.

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