Today we want to give voice with an interview to the winners of the last edition: Andrea Sgaravatto and Valentina Landuzzi.

What do you remember, a year later, about the 2023 UnipolMove Run Tune Up?

Andrea: My most precious memory is the one related to the very instant I crossed the finish line in Piazza Maggiore. It was the birthday of my girlfriend, and to her I dedicated that victory; I also have a very fond memory of the festive reception from the organising committee. 

Valentina: I remember getting closer to the finish line at about the time when the marathon was supposed to start. Bystanders noticed me, they realised I was in the lead, rooted for me and encouraged me to give it all.

Andrea: running along via Indipendenza is so great! There's this long straight stretch of almost 1 km where you generally walk on a lazy Saturday afternoon, but you certainly can't run in a sprint because of the crowd. And instead, at last year's half-marathon, I had the chance to celebrate my greatest passion in the company of many people: the street was standing still for us.

Valentina: speaking from experience, I guess that the route of Bologna’s half marathon is ideal for those who mean to run better times. In December 2022 I had finished the Castel Maggiore half marathon in 1 hour and 24 minutes, and in March 2023 I finished Bologna’s half marathon in 1 hour and 20 minutes. A half marathon is the longest distance I’ve ever run, I didn’t expect to win, but I was wrong: it just happened. 

Andrea, who has participated in lots of competitions, has pinned down by comparison a unique and unprecedented feature that distinguishes our own Bologna Marathon from other running events on Italian soil. It is the participation of local running clubs to run the rest points (pun intended) and to hand out food and beverages. Another unique feature is the chance for friends and family to do so much more than just rooting for participants. For example they can run the 5 km non-competitive route. Admittedly, Valentina is the kind of runner who skips the rest stops. Her running club, “Podistica Pontelungo Bologna”, is expected to run the rest stops located 2 kilometres away from the finish line.

What tips would you give to those who run Bologna’s half marathon (Run Tune Up) for the first time?

Andrea: I suggest sparing energies at first, to expect a feeling of euphoria at some point, but I recommend not to surrender to it, to keep ready for the last stretch. Grit your teeth after one hour running, especially if you aim at finishing it in about 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

Valentina: I would tell them what I tell myself: a half marathon really begins – so to say – past the fourteenth kilometre. Spare some energies for the last 6, 7 kilometres!

Cecilia Lolli for Bologna Marathon Academy