Alex Oberbacher crossed the finish line first. © Newspower.it

Like the Giro heroes: mountain runners celebrate on Monte Pana

Where Tadej Pogacar recently took another step toward his triumph at the Giro d'Italia, amateur athletes showed true brilliant performances on Saturday. The winners of the Saslong Half Marathon were announced on the Monte Pana high plateau in Val Gardena.

June 08, 2024

From: pm

“This race is the most important of the season for me,” said Alex Oberbacher, who won the Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon for the third time. It is a statement that speaks for itself. For the women, Martina Bilora from Lecco triumphed in her first participation in the Sassolungo Half Marathon. There was great cheering at Monte Pana. 1200 runners (the maximum number allowed) took part in the event organized by the ASV Gherdëina Runners. We had to cover 21 km.

After the crowning of the winner of the Giro d'Italia, Tadej Pogacar, Monte Pana celebrated the winner of the Dolomites Saslong: Alex Oberbacher started as one of the favorites - also in view of the absence of the 2023 winner Daniele Felicetti, who had to take a break due to a muscle strain. Oberbacher took command after the first few kilometers and pulled away from his competitors on the first important climb of the day. The competition had little to counter it, at the finish on Monte Pana the “golden chamois” Oberbacher celebrated his third victory in the “Saslong”, after 2018 and 2022.

The Val Gardena celebration was completed by Oberbacher's ASV Gherdëina Runners teammates Luca Clara and Georg Piazza taking second and third place. For Clara it is the first podium finish in his home race

Martina Bilora wins women's race

For the women, it was in the air that a “Martina” would win, but in the end Bilora prevailed against her colleague and friend Martina Cumerlato. "I am really happy. I only realized in the last few kilometers that I could do it, the route is incredible,” said the victorious Bilora. Anna Santini from Fiemme Valley, who took part in the Dolomites Saslong for the first time, completed the podium.

The route demanded everything from the participants. © Newspower.it

There was also enthusiasm in the organizing committee of the ASV Gherdëina Runners, led by Manuela Perathoner. Thanks to a “proven and well-organized team,” another edition was successfully mastered. “Our team is well coordinated, we share the tasks and complete them with care and attention. My thanks go to all employees and especially to the athletes,” emphasized President Perathoner. It should also be emphasized that several sections of the route were run on snow prepared by volunteers.