Our Fundraiser’s story
Sergio
Running is good for you. But it can also do good for others.
I used to be a decent middle-distance runner. I was the fastest runner at my school, won cross-country races, and eventually joined a team. But at the age of 16, with school commitments and other priorities, I hung up my running shoes.
I returned to running at 54, thanks to a dear friend—also someone I’d known for 40 years—who reignited that old spark. “I bet you can’t get back to running 10 kilometres in just three months.” Challenge accepted. Challenge won.
Then came an even bigger victory: getting my health back. Goodbye, tachycardia, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
But then something got the better of me. Something won me over: the thrill of competition. I challenged myself again. What if I added another 32 kilometres?
In March 2023, I ran my first marathon in Rome. It was a victory on every level: a great finishing time, the incredible feeling of crossing the finish line, and, perhaps best of all, discovering afterwards that my body had held up remarkably well.
After that, I asked myself: what more could I do? I wanted to combine the joy of running and pushing my limits with a meaningful act of generosity. So, at the 2023 Padua Half Marathon, I launched my first fundraising campaign in support of LINFA.
Neurofibromatosis is part of my daily life through someone close to me. I know what it means, and I know how important it is for patients and their families to have organizations that support them, guide them and help make their lives a little easier.
The Wizz Air Milano Marathon was yet another race that did me good—but also did good for others, thanks to everyone who supported me along the way.
I’ll keep running because it makes me feel good and brings me immense satisfaction.
And I’ll keep supporting charity initiatives, because that’s my guarantee of winning every race.
