These 6 runners will leave their mark on the BoClassic 2023 © sportissimus

49th BOclassic South Tyrol: Top runners compete in Bolzano

Since 1975, the year has been closed continuously in Bolzano. That will be the case again this year when the BOclassic Südtirol will be held on New Year's Eve with numerous international stars from the athletics scene. Before the 49th edition on Sunday, December 31st with the elite races starting at 13.30:XNUMX p.m., there will be a duel between Kenya and Italy.

30 December 2023

From: spn

Athlete manager Gianni Demadonna did an excellent job again this year and was able to sign numerous top athletes for the 49th BOclassic South Tyrol. “With Yeman Crippa and Nadia Battocletti, we certainly have the best long-distance runners in Italy at the start. Last year he became European champion in the 10.000 m in Munich, and she was recently named vice-European champion in cross-country running. We have been waiting for Italian success in the women’s category since 1988 – of course we hope that will change this year,” says Demadonna.

Yeman Crippa (left) and Nadia Battocletti are currently the best long-distance runners in Italy © sportissimus

But the competition is strong. In the men's category, Sabastian Sawe from Kenya is likely to be Crippa's worst opponent. The 28-year-old is the reigning half marathon world champion. People in Bolzano are also excited about Maxime Chaumeton from South Africa, who dictated the pace for six laps last year and ended up in third place. The top-class field of participants is enriched by the German marathon specialist Hendrick Pfeiffer and the Austrian Timo Hinterdorfer, as well as the other Azzurri Pietro Riva and Osama Zoghlami.


Can Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi achieve her third win?

Among the women, Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, a two-time winner of the BOclassic Südtirol, is at the start. The 30-year-old Kenyan triumphed in the Talferstadt in 2019 and 2020. Her 20-year-old compatriot Nelly Chepchirchir, who is predicted to have a great future, is also expected to achieve a top result. Ludovica Cavalli, the 23-year-old Azzurra, wants to be at the forefront of the fight for the podium places, as does the Croatian Matea Parlov Kostro, vice-European marathon champion.


The live broadcast on television as a gateway to the world

Andreas Widmann, President of the Bozen Raiffeisen Running Club: “Our team around Christiane Warasin and Stefan Fink is really doing an excellent job. It is a well-rehearsed team that masters every challenge. But our many sponsors also contribute significantly to the success of BOclassic Südtirol. Just like the RAI with its live broadcast. 12 cameras will capture the best images, and no fewer than 25 employees are on duty. This transmission is our gateway into the world,” says Widmann.

Athlete manager Gianni Demadonna says about the status of the BOclassic South Tyrol in an international comparison. “The BOclassic South Tyrol is one of the best races in the world. At the moment, however, competitions in which records can be broken are very popular. Unfortunately, this is not possible in Bolzano - firstly because of the climate and secondly because of the route with its many curves and slight climbs. The BOclassic Südtirol is a big running festival that inspires the masses with tens of thousands of fans around Waltherplatz.”

The BoClassic 2023 was presented on Friday. © sportissimus

The BOclassic Ladurner fun run heralds the start of the Top7 running series

A running festival that is ushered in by numerous amateur runners with a “Just For Fun” that starts at 11 a.m. “An hour later there will be the first highlight with the 20th BOclassic Ladurner fun run, which also heralds the Top7 series in 2024. Many children and young people will be in action from 12.50 p.m. as part of the Raiffeisen Youth Cup. The BOclassic South Tyrol is a running festival for everyone that is simply part of Bolzano on the last day of the year,” said Christiane Warasin, the OC head of the Bolzano New Year’s Eve Run.


This is what the stars of the 49th BOclassic South Tyrol say:

Nadia Battocletti (ITA): “I will give it my all on Sunday. I have already run against Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi at the World Championships and the Olympics. She is a great athlete and competitor. We will definitely have a great fight.”

Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi (KEN): “What is my form status? I think I'm in pretty good shape. I’m looking forward to running in front of these great fans again and of course I want to win here in Bolzano for the third time.”

Yeman Crippa (ITA): “I feel really ready this year. My form is perfect. I will try to keep up primarily with Sabastian Sawe, but of course also with all the other athletes. The organizers gave me start number 1. I hope that I can meet the high expectations and then arrive first at the finish.”

Sabastian Sawe (KEN): "I'm ready. I know Yeman Crippa, but I’m not afraid of him and I’ll do everything I can on Sunday to win in Bolzano for the first time.”

Maxime Chaumeton (RSA): “I came third last year, so this year my goal is to finish second or first. I will have a great fight with my strong competitors. My father is French, my mother comes from South Africa. I have been living in South Africa since 2010, as has my coach, and that is why I chose South Africa.”