Milan, 5 April 2024 – The build-up to the Wizz Air Milano Marathon 2024 continued to gather pace on Friday with the presentation of the event’s top runners at the MiCo in CityLife, headquarters of the Milano Running Festival presented by Sky.
The 22nd Milan Marathon promises surprises aplenty for fans of road-running with an interesting line-up. The favourite is Andrew Rotich Kwemoi of Uganda, who won the 2023 edition with a time of 2:07:14 on his marathon debut. He’s back in Milan this year looking to repeat his success and better it.
His main challengers could be 25-year-old Ethiopian Tesfahun Akalnew Guangul, with a personal best of 2:06:55, Kenyan Titus Kimutai Kipkosgei (2:07:46) and Kenyan-born Turk Ilham Tanui Ozbilen , who recently recorded a none-too-shabby time of 2:10:16 having switched to marathon distance after a successful track career.
There will be plenty of promising debutants appearing on Sunday too: Ethiopian Gerba Beyata Dibaba, Kenyan Isaac Kibet and compatriot Isaac Kipkemboi Too, who has already won many races over shorter distances on Italian soil.
The women’s line-up also looks fascinating with the likes of Ethiopian trio Kuftu Tahir Dadiso (personal best of 2:23:14), Alemayehu Haimanot Shewe (2:25:51) and Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu (2:24:23).
Potential outsiders include fellow Ethiopians Fantu Shugi Gelasa (2:29:30) and Tigist Bikila Deme (2:30:37) as well as Sophy Jepchirchir of Kenya (2:30:31). Europe’s best hopes lie with Sweden’s Hanna Lindholm, who has a personal best of 2:29:59.
Meanwhile the MiCo remains a hub of activity and will remain open until 19:00 on Saturday.
Besides the parade of elite athletes, today also saw the unveiling of the stages of the upcoming Giro-E Enel, attended by a host of cycling stars and institutions, a meeting organised by the Guardia di Finanza with Elena Viviani, Giuseppe Gibilisco and Ivano Brugnetti, and an event dedicated to the European Athletics Championships in Rome with Francesco Panetta, Massimo Ambrosini, Nicola Roggero, Antonio La Torre and Roberto Rigali, hosted by Fabio Guadagnini and Lucilla Andreucci. Meanwhile sustainability was a key topic with Leonardo Ghiraldini of NATIVA – Regenerative Design Company at an event organised by Levissima.
This is the schedule for tomorrow, Saturday 6 April (9:00-19:00):
- 9:00 – Levissima Family Run: 3 km within CityLife for children and adults of all ages. Start from Maspes-Vigorelli Velodrome.
- 10:00 – Presentation of Nicola Roggero’s book Stories of Athletics and the 20th Century.
- 10:20 – Chat with Ivan Basso and Francesca Polti. The two-time winner of the Giro d’Italia tells his story to the public.
- 11:00 – 20 years after Olympic gold in Athens. Meeting with Olympic marathon winner Stefano Baldini organised by Milano Marathon Technical Partner ASICS.
- 13:50 – Named Sport event with Eyob Faniel, marathon and middle-distance runner.
- 14:30 – Talk with Olympic gold medallist Federica Pellegrini (plus Meet & Greet).
- 15:00 – Arcaplanet Dog Run. Meet-up and start in CityLife’s Piazzale Burri.
- 16:10 – Olimpia Milano Meet & Greet with Gigi Datome and Nicolo Melli.
- 17:00 – Presentation of the marathon pacers withRenzo Barbugian.
- 17:30 – Meeting with athlete Daniele Meucci and ASICS Front Runners.
SUNDAY 7 APRIL
- 8:30 – Start of 22nd Wizz Air Milano Marathon
- 9:15 – Start of UniCredit Relay Marathon
2024 PARTNER
Regione Lombardia, Comune di Milano, CONI e FIDAL.
Wizz Air (Title Sponsor) // ASICS (Technical Partner) // UniCredit (Title Sponsor Relay Marathon e Top Sponsor Milano Marathon) // Levissima (Official Mineral Water – Green Partner & Title Family Run) // Pulsee Luce e Gas (Premium Partner) // Named (Sport Nutrition Partner) // Nissan (Official Car) // Festina (Official Timekeeper) // Lenovo (Official Partner) // Gruppo San Donato (Official Medical Partner) // Arcaplanet (Title Sponsor Dog Run e Official Partner Milano Marathon) // Payserve (Official Partner) // GLS (Official Partner) // DANONE HiPRO (Official Partner) // Fit.Fe by Fede (Official Beauty Partner) // Douglas (Official Partner) // Moto Morini (Official Moto) // Felicia (Official Supplier) // Metro 5 (Official Supplier) // Nuncas (Live Partner) // RCS Academy (Learning Partner) // UNA Hotels (Official Hotel) // Mielizia (Official Supplier) // MiCo (Official Exhibitor Partner) // Fruttolo (Official Partner Family Run) // Novi (Official Partner Family Run) // Calypso (Official Timekeeper Family Run) // Sky (Premium & Media Partner Milano Marathon e Presenting Partner Milano Running Festival).
Media Partner La Gazzetta dello Sport // F – Magazine Partner // RDS 100% Grandi Successi, la Radio Partner // Sky Sport official broadcaster.
