11th Saint Anthony Marathon 2010

 

This flat and fast spring marathon in northern Italy is named after Anthony of Padua who is venerated as a saint by the Catholic church. Anthony had superior persuasive skills as a preacher but he died early at the age of 36 on his last trip to Padua in the year 1231.

The marathon starts in the small town of Vedelago and travels southward through several small towns and villages, where many locals enjoy a traffic-free day and cheer you on.

From the small town of Camposampiero at half-way mark the race follows the route that Anthony took on his last trip. He died in the village of Arcella near the 39km mark, where many runners find themselves in a desolate state as well.

The route is well-marshalled and very flat, you only have to cross two or three bridges. In all, the course is even mildly downhill, dropping around 30 metres in elevation. The last kilometre through the attractive historic centre of Padua (Italian: Padova) is partly on cobblestones. The finish is on one of Europe's largest town squares, the elliptic Prato della Valle.

Padua, a city with a population of 210,000, is just 40 kilometres from Venice but as one of Italy's oldest cities of art and culture it offers enough attractions to keep you busy for a couple of days.

In 2009, Ben Chebet of Kenya set a new course record in 2:09:41. Ethiopia's Girma Woynischet led the women home in a time of 2:31:03, which earned her 10th place overall.

 

Country: Italy

Venue (Map): Padova

Date: 25 April 2010 (Sunday)

Race distance: 42.195km (certified by AIMS/IAAF); 21.1km; non-competitive races of 1, 2, 5 and 12km

Start time: 8.40 (hand cyclists), 8.45 (wheelchairs), 9.00 (marathon), 9.30 (non-competitive events), 10.40 (half marathon)

Start: Vedelago (marathon); Camposampiero (half marathon)

Finish: Padova, Prato della Valle

Entries: online or by post; payment by credit card

Entry fees (42km): 35 EUR (until 28 March), 40 EUR (until 18 April); free entry to athletes with disabilities; no entries on the day!

Entry fees (21km): 15 EUR (until 31 January), 20 EUR (until 18 April); additional 5 EUR if you are not a member of an Italian running club

Race centre: marathon expo on Prato della Valle in Padova (Friday 23 April and Saturday 24 April from 10.00 to 20.00); town hall in Vedelago (on the day from 7.30 to 8.30)

You get: T-shirt, goody bag, ChampionChip rental, finisher medal, voucher for pasta party (valid on Saturday or Sunday), bus service before and after the race, transport of personal clothing to the finish, free parking on designated car parks

Prizes (42km): prize money to the first 10 M/F, to the first 8M/6F amateurs, and to disabled athletes in various categories

Showers and changing facilities: near the finish

Number of finishers 2009: 2154 in the marathon; ca. 20,000 in several non-competitive events

Event website: maratonasantantonio.it

 

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.