Second running in Sienna

Tuscany Camp Half Marathon
Photo: FrancescaGrana cesca.grana@gmail.com
© Francescsa Grana - www.francescagrana.it - Instagram @una_grana

Tuscany Camp is an elite athlete training centre in the hills surrounding Siena. On 28 February a half marathon event was held there in which some world-leading times were set by Felix Kipkoech (59:35) and Lonah Salpeter (1:07:09). On 11 April a similar multi-lap elite-only event will be held to offer athletes a chance to post qualifying times for the Tokyo Olympics.

To give the full title the “European Olympic Marathon Qualification Race – Xiamen Marathon & Tuscany Camp Global Elite Race” will be held on a flat (+/– 10m/lap) 5km lap on roads surrounding the Airport of Ampugnano, in Siena. The event will be delivered under strict sanitary protocols to mitigate any COVID risk.

Pacing will serve multiple objectives aimed at the men’s all-comers Italian record (2 pacers to halfway in 62 mins), a 2:08 time standard, the men’s Olympic qualifying time (2:11:30), 2:22 – 2:24 for the leading woman, a 2:26 time standard and the women’s Olympic qualifying time of 2:29:30.

Top domestic talents entered are Daniele Meucci and Valeria Straneo.