
The field is packed with stars. © FOTODANIELEMOSNA
The stars of the 50th BOclassic Südtirol
In Bolzano, the old year is being bid farewell by running for the 50th time. The elite races starting at 15 p.m. are once again the highlight of the Bolzano New Year's Eve Run, which was recently awarded the World Athletics Heritage Plaque.
30 December 2024
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One day before the start, the international athletics stars who will be competing in the BOclassic South Tyrol on the circuit in the center of Bolzano on New Year's Eve were presented. One thing in advance: the field of participants who will be competing in the two elite races of the 50th BOclassic South Tyrol is worthy of such an anniversary. "As always, we have tried to put together two strong races with great protagonists. Yeman Crippa will be taking part, who last year lost out to the new record holder of the event, Sebastian Sawe, by just a few meters.
Or Ethiopian Telahun Haike Bekele, who finished second in 2019 and was only beaten in the sprint to the finish by the last Italian BOclassic winner Eyob Faniel," explained athlete manager Gianni Demadonna, who also named two-time BOclassic winner Oscar Chelimo (Uganda), South African Maxime Chaumeton, "Azzurro" Pietro Riva and Briton Tom Mortimer as potential contenders for a podium finish.
For Crippa, it is the ninth BOclassic participation: "It is an honor for me to end the year here. I feel at home, there are so many people cheering me on along the track. I come back here to try to win," said the crowd favorite from Trento, who finished second in Bolzano in 2022 and 2023.
Battocletti is the big star
Demadonna's excellent work also brought last year's winner Nadia Battocletti back to Bolzano. The Trentino native followed her BOclassic triumph with major international successes such as the Olympic silver medal in the 10.000 m, two European titles on the track (5.000 and 10.000 m) and just as many in the cross (individually and with the team). "It is a pleasure and an honour for me to return to Bolzano, where I have so many good memories. I hope that tomorrow's race will also be the impetus for an even better year in 2025," explained Battocletti.The organizers with Battocletti (second from right). © FOTODANIELEMOSNA
In addition to Battocletti, Demadonna named Yasemin Can from Turkey as another potential contender for victory. The Turkish athlete with Kenyan roots recently finished third at the European Cross Country Championships in her adopted home country. "I'm happy to be here and to compete against Nadia again. I'll try to do my best," added Can, who has another strong competitor in Ethiopian Aleshign Baweke, U20 world champion over 3000 m.
The big running festival live on TV
For the athletes, the BOclassic South Tyrol is a race that will stay in their memories for a long time. Serhiy Lebid, who is the most successful athlete in the men's field with his five victories, also underlined this during the media event: "This race was always very exciting for me, every time I arrived in Bolzano I was thrilled. I still remember every section of the course, every bend and the affection of the audience," said the Ukrainian, who has taken part in this race 14 times and traveled there especially for the anniversary edition.The city of Bolzano is also closely linked to "its" New Year's Eve run, and its administration supports the organizers year after year. "This edition will be special for me because 50 years of history are very important and because, as outgoing mayor, it will be my last opportunity to award the winners. The beauty of athletics and of life is to fight and then be happy again, and what counts is that you do it with passion. I thank the organizers for what they do every year and for the athletes they bring to Bolzano," said Bolzano Mayor Renzo Caramaschi.
preparations almost complete
The organizers are at a very good point with the preparations for the Bolzano New Year's Eve Run, as Andreas Widmann, president of the organizing association Läufer Club Bozen Raiffeisen, emphasized. He thanked the experienced organizing team led by Christiane Warasin as well as all volunteers, sponsors and partners for their commitment. "The anticipation is great. The fact that we have reached the 50th anniversary is also thanks to the pioneers who, through their daring, brought the Bolzano New Year's Eve Run into being," continued Widmann.The press conference on Monday. © FOTODANIELEMOSNA
In addition to the "normal" preparations, additional initiatives have been launched for the 50th anniversary edition, as Warasin emphasised: "Thanks to our sponsors, we have been able to increase the budget for the athletes in the elite races. In addition, in recent weeks we have organised training sessions for the population in the run-up to the races. On Tuesday, bands and DJs will perform along the route, creating a very special atmosphere." The television broadcast by the Italian state television station Rai has also been confirmed. Rai South Tyrol and Rai Play will broadcast live, while Rai Sport will broadcast with a slight delay (from 16.30 p.m.).
Special award and a postmark
Warasin then reported on two special initiatives that were carried out as part of the 50th anniversary. Firstly, the event received a prestigious award from World Athletics, namely the World Athletics Heritage Plaque. Alessio Punzi, the representative of World Athletics, explained at the press conference why the New Year's Eve run in Bolzano was chosen: "The award aims to celebrate the history of athletics and make it known to more and more people. The BOclassic South Tyrol received the plaque in the 'Competition' category. It is a rare award that represents the history of the run without losing sight of the future."Alessio Punzi with the plaque. © FOTODANIELEMOSNA
Poste Italiane, the new partner of the BOclassic South Tyrol, also came up with something unique with a postal stamp that will only be used for three months: "We are proud to be a sponsor of the event. We wanted to create something special for the anniversary and thought of a postal stamp. An hour ago, a special stamp was launched to mark the 50th anniversary of the BOclassic. The stamp is a collector's item, an imprint that we are proud of," said regional director Luca Passero,
start of the Top7 running series
However, the BOclassic South Tyrol is much more than just its elite races due to its comprehensive program. "It is a celebration of running for everyone. The non-competitive Pensplan Centrum Just for Fun run starts at 12.50 p.m. and anyone can take part. Everyone can decide how many laps they want to run in the 40 minutes available," explained Christiane Warasin.The 13.40 km long Ladurner fun run, which will be the first of seven stages of the 5 season of the Top2025 running series, starts at 7:14.30 p.m. But that will not be the last highlight of the day: at 1,25:2,5 p.m. it will be the turn of all children and young people who are taking part in the Raiffeisen Youth Cup over XNUMX or XNUMX kilometers, followed by the exciting competitions of the elite athletes.
The program – 31.12.2024
9 am to 13 pm: start number distribution at the Race Office (Bozen parish hall)12.50 p.m.:Pensplan Centrum Just-for-fun (1,25 – 5 km = 1-4 laps)
13.40:5 pm: Ladurner fun run (4 km = XNUMX laps)
14.30 pm:Raiffeisen Youth Cup (from 1,25 to 2,5 km = 1 or 2 laps)
15 pm: BOclassic Elite Men (10 km = 8 laps)
15.40:5 pm: BOclassic Elite Women (4 km = XNUMX laps)
16 pm:Award ceremony for the elite race
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