Belluno (Italy), Sunday 11 December 2011

Santa Klaus Running 2011, Belluno, Italy (Copyright © 2009-2011 runinternational.eu)

 

On a beautiful Sunday morning in the Dolomites, a record-breaking 1,547 Santas from various countries met in the town of Belluno for the 4th Santa Klaus Running, which offered three distances for runners of all abilities.

The 500 competitors in the half marathon were dressed in state-of-the-art technical Santa shirts, whereas participants in the 6K and 12K ran or walked in traditional (but lightweight) red coats and hats.

The start and finish were on the main square of Belluno, a 2000-year-old town on the southern edge of the Dolomites in northern Italy, about 100km north of Venice.

Nicola Spada can claim to be this year's fastest Santa Claus. The 26-year-old athlete completed the very challenging and varied half marathon course in 1:11:30, which is a very fine time considering that he didn't get any help from flying reindeer.

Silvia Serafini (22) led the Santa Claudias home in an excellent time of 1:22:27.

The route consisted of a 2km loop through Belluno's historic centre, followed by an undulating loop on mixed terrain through a rural area, and finally another short loop through Belluno's old town with its narrow streets and its many picturesque buildings.

There were many highlights on the course, and stunning views of the Dolomiti Bellunesi, but the very best came at the end: a chocolate-and-cake party at the finish!

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, 1500 Santas in Belluno (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

These are the 6K and the 12K runners, ...

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, start on Piazza dei Martiri (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... and these the half marathon runners at the start in Belluno.

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, villas and views (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

From the course, there were many splendid views of elegant villas and magnificent mountains.

 

Santa Klaus Half Marathon 2011 - near Belluno (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

Participants ran through lovely woods, ...

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, route through villages around Belluno (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... old villages, ...

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, international competitor (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... uphill through a park, ...

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, downhill to Belluno (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... and downhill again ...

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, at Belluno Railway Station (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... to Belluno's railway station ...

 

Santa Klaus Running 2011, on Piazza dei Martiri in Belluno (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... and to the finish line in the beautiful town centre.

 

Results - 4. Santa Klaus Half Marathon 2011

Men

1. Nicola Spada ITA 1:11:30
2. Alessandro Splendore ITA 1:14:40
3. Abdelaziz Mahjoubi MOR 1:15:28

 

Women

1. Silvia Serafini ITA 1:22:27
2. Manuela Moro ITA 1:27:24
3. Valli Zanatta ITA 1:28:35

 

Event details: Santa Klaus Running 2012 (Run International)

Map of the venue: Belluno (Veneto), Italy

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