We are talking about the Marcialonga Running Coop race in the Fiemme and Fassa valleys over 21km and 26km, or in its relay formula with three runners sharing the course.

One thousand five hundred (1,500) competitors were involved, over the various distances, raced along the cycle path on the track familiar with the skiing event, with the start in Moena and the finish in Cavalese. Great international participation with 22 nations at the start and an excellent representation of female athletes, almost 30% of the total.

On Saturday afternoon, before the official start, more than one hundred children aged between 2 and 12 ran the “Minirunning,” a promotional race in the town of Moena.

The 21st Marcialonga Running Coop started at 16:30 CET. The competitors were “pushed” along the route by the supporters, organized in real “cheer points” with live music, cowbells, and lots of fun.

There was a large crowd also in Cavalese, with the new Soreghina and ambassador of Marcialonga, Nathalie Zancanella, in her first work of crowning the winners.

Every appointment with Marcialonga is not only a race, but an occasion for celebration, and the inhabitants make you feel their warmth and special welcome.

Talking about the competitive race, Kenya has proved its worth for men. In Masi di Cavalese, for the half marathon distance, Solomon Koech was the winner with a time of 1:01:44, while on the classic 26 km, Eric Riungu finished first with a time of 01:23:37.

The women’s race was also beautiful. Loretta Bettin won the half marathon ahead of Giulia Montagnin and the long-distance skier of Team Futura Giulia Kuen, while the 26km race went to Marta Fabris.

In the relay race, a Norwegian success with the “Team Coop” thanks to the brothers Petter and Mårten Soleng Skinstad together with Mathias Aas Rolid. 

And speaking about Norway, the great champion Hans Christer Holund was also in the race, placed 8th overall in the 26K with a time of 01:34:56, followed by the long-distance skier of Team Futura Stefano Mich (1:36:09).

The Marcialonga Running Coop is an excellent training in view of the winter season. Many recreational skiers are used to taking part in the event, as are many athletes of the Ski Classics Pro Teams – Team Robinson Trentino, Team Futura Trentino, and Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino.

The runners and members of “Coop Norway” also battled for the special ranking called “Coop Running Trophy,” reserved for managers, employees, and collaborators of Italian and European Cooperatives, created on the occasion of the 10-year collaboration between Coop Trentino and Coop Norway.

The artistic trophy made of wood was assigned to Coop Trentino, rewarded by the large number of athletes present. The prize is dedicated to the best Coop Area or Coop Nation, based on individual performance and number of team members.

It was a great weekend in Trentino, celebrating sport and friendship between Coop Norway and Marcialonga. Many dedicated events have been organized: on Friday morning at 6:30 CET, the day began with the ‘Early Bird,’ an easy run of about half an hour that is a fixed appointment organized by Coop Norway every last Friday of the month, and which for the occasion was held in Val di Fiemme.

On Friday evening, the Coop members gathered for a special dinner based on typical local products, while the following morning, the athletes took part in the ‘Golden Morning,’ muscle toning in preparation for the race with cross-country champions Cristian Zorzi, Hans Christer Holund, Petter Soleng Skinstad and Lara Peyrot.

Now, the Marcialonga headquarters is already at work for the 51st Marcialonga scheduled for Sunday, January 31, 2024. Registrations are still open: book your bib and start training.

More information about Marcialonga can be found HERE.

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Also Read: Val di Fiemme calling all Norwegians