Autore: Redazione AEVF

The Via Francigena is also a path of solidarity. The Association of Social Promotion Amici of the Via Francigena of Pietrasanta has indeed decided to donate the proceeds of the first edition of the Francigena Tuscany Marathon to three associations active in the area.

The event of last September 24^th 2017, organized in collaboration with Lucca Ospitale and the Arciconfraternita della Misericordia of Lucca, has had a success beyond all expectations: 2000 participants, coming from all over Italy, have invaded the paths of Versilia and Lucchesia, walking from Pietrasanta on the ancient Via Francigena route.

The Friends of the Via Francigena Pietrasanta association has decided to donate what remained from the proceedings of the Francigena Tuscany Marathon to the ATMO Onlus Association for Bone Marrow Transplantation, the AIPD Versilia Italian Association of for people with Down’s syndrome and the Casa del Pellegrino Valpromaro.

The donation ceremony will take place on the 16^th December at 12:00 in Pietrasanta, at the Chiostro di Sant’Agostino Sala dell’Annunziata. The morning program also includes a activity for elementary and middle school children between the ages of 8 and 14. From 10 am to 12 noon a small Urban Orienteering event will be held, organised with the technical collaboration of GS Orienteering Folgore. At the end of the morning, a short refreshment for children will take place, organised with the precious collaboration of AVIS Versilia.

The program in detail:

9:30 – Registration for Urban Orienteering (open to children aged 8 to 14, up to 150 participants)

10:00 – Urban Orienteering with the technical collaboration of GS Orienteering Folgore

12:00 – Ceremony for donations. Presentation of activities of the individual associations and videos on the Francigena Tuscany Marathon by the Gruppo Fotografico Versiliese and the Tramonti Italiani Group

12:30 – Short refreshment break by AVIS Versilia

The second edition of the Francigena Tuscany Marathon will take place on the 30^th September 2018, more information on the website: www.francigenatuscanymarathon.it

2018 promises to be a year full of marathons on the Italian Via Francigena. From the 10^th January 2018 you can register online for the sixth edition of the European Francigena Marathon scheduled for Sunday 27^th May 2018.

After the success of the last editions, our date with the on foot 42,195km marathon along the Via Francigena from Acquapendente to Montefiascone will take place.  The event, promoted on a national and international level, aims to raise awareness of an area rich in natural and artistic beauty that make up the historical, cultural and environmental heritage of the municipalities of the event.

Last year, 2195 people participated in the marathon from all over Italy, with a head-to-head between men and women.  There was a total of 1,353 participants on the longest route of the marathon from Acquapendente to Montefiascone.

It will start from Acquapendente, 132 km north of Rome, located along Via Cassia and on the border of Umbria and Tuscany, an important stop along the Via Francigena. Following the official route, marked following the directions of the European Association of the Vie Francigene and the Lazio Region under the supervision of the CAI of Viterbo, we will proceed along country roads, towards the town of San Lorenzo Nuovo.  From here, the first intermediate arrival (km 11,300), continuing along the volcanic bank will reach Bolsena, the second intermediate arrival (km 23,5), will be able to follow the narrow streets of the castle along the Basilica of Santa Cristina.  Through narrow and characteristic country lanes, participants will arrive at the Turona natural park at the summit of Montefiascone (km 42,195), a historic town 100km from Peter’s tomb. Here you can admire the Monument and the Pilgrim Tower located inside the Rocca dei Papi.  It will be a demanding walk that will highlight the character and will of the participants called to challenge themselves in order to promote a route, an ancient route, a destination for thousands of pilgrims in the coming years.

The event, approved and insured by F.I.A.S.P. (Italian Federation of Popular Sport Amateurs), is part of the recreational sports leisure activities and is a “non-competitive walk”.  It will be possible to start the journey not only from Acquapendente, but also from San Lorenzo Nuovo and Bolsena.  To facilitate the organisation of the event, the choice of the section to be taken must be decided upon registration by each participant.

Routes: the Acquapendente – Montefiascone Marathon is 42,195km but alternative routes are planned: Acquapendente – San Lorenzo Nuovo 11,300km; Acquapendente – Bolsena 23,500km; San Lorenzo Nuovo – Bolsena 12,200km; San Lorenzo Nuovo – Montefiascone 30,900km and Bolsena – Montefiascone 18,700km.

Registration: participation is open to everyone, men and women, who are 18 years of age. Those underage can participate only under the responsibility of their parents; the shortest routes are recommended. Registrations can be made online from the 10^th January 2018.  Registration closes the 10^th May 2018 or upon reaching 3000 participants.  The registration fee of € 15.00 is inclusive of insurance, as per F.I.A.S.P. policy.

Promotion for members: those who will register by 28^th February 2018 will be able to participate in the draw of 10 hams, 10 wheels of cheese, 10 bottles of wine, 10 jars of 1 kg honey from Monte Rufeno, 20 packs of beans from “Purgatory” and 20 “mangia e bevi” in artistic ceramics.

There will be a variety of secondary events: on May 25^th and 26^th there will be side events to the marathon organised by the municipality of Acquapendente with a visit to the Bosco del Sasseto (WWF Heritage) – “Il Bosco delle Fate”, an urban trekking experience to discover the Via Francigena in the historical centre of Acquapendente and a medieval dinner with a show in the cloister of San Francesco.

The European Francigena Marathon is organized by the Department of Sports Tourism and Culture of the municipality of Acquapendente and the Italian Alpine Club Section of Viterbo under the patronage of the European Association of the Vie Francigene, Viterbo Provincial Command, the collaboration of the municipalities of San Lorenzo Nuovo, Bolsena and Montefiascone and the help of various local associations.

For info and booking visit: www.francigenamarathon.it or contact the Municipality of Acquapendente Sport and Tourism Office, email: turismo@comuneacquapendente.it, tel: 0763 7309206. Organizing Officer Sergio Pieri.