The Trento Giro al Sas International (© Organisers)
The awarding of a World Athletics Heritage Plaque (category: Competition) to the Trento Giro al Sas International on Saturday (27) recognises a storied history of running in the Italian city of Trento. First held in 1907, the ‘Giro di Trento’ has grown into an annual running festival which this year celebrates its 78th edition on 4 October.
The capital of the Trentino region in Northern Italy, Trento is nestled into the foot of the Dolomites. The ‘Giro al Sas’, as the 10km race is known, starts and finishes in Piazza Duomo, the heart of the city, right in front of the Neptune Fountain and the Civic Tower.
The race has been won by some of the greatest long-distance athletes in the world, including Italy’s Stefano Baldini, the 2004 Olympic marathon champion, as well as international stars such as Paul Tergat, Kenenisa Bekele, Muktar Edris and Jacob Kiplimo.
“Over a century old, the Giro al Sas annually attracts many of the world’s best runners to the historic city of Trento. Organised for runners by runners including Ferruccio Demadonna and his brother Giovanni, the three-time race winner and renowned athlete representative, the passion and dedication of the organising committee and volunteers has made the Giro al SAS a cherished date in the city’s annual sporting and social calendar,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“The Giro al Sas stands at the heart of a running festival which includes youth races and the Giro al Sas Kids, a non-competitive promotional event for children aged between two and eight, aimed at encouraging them to engage in sports.
“A vibrant example of running heritage in action, I congratulate the Giro al Sas for the well-deserved award of the World Athletics Heritage Plaque.”
President of ASD Città di Trento and of the Organising Committee Gianni Valler commented: “We are grateful and honoured to receive this recognition from World Athletics. The race of ‘Giro al Sas International’ has a history dating back to the early 1900s and has become a cherished tradition in our city, drawing large crowds and enthusiastic support.
“Over the decades the event has hosted the aristocracy of global athletics on the streets of Trento. A few notable names, without detracting from all the others, include Kenenisa Bekele, Francesco Panetta, Stefano Baldini, Edwin Soi, Muktar Edris and Jacob Kiplimo, just to mention some of the recent champions.
“The World Athletics Heritage Plaque is a strong encouragement to continue, with passion, a mission that promotes sport and reinforces our sense of belonging to the global running community and to World Athletics. The Plaque is an award for the city, for all those who have contributed to the organisation over the years, for the runners, and for the volunteers. Thanks to them, this long-standing tradition continues, and the ‘Giro al Sas International’ keeps growing. It’s the result of everyone’s efforts, and we want to express our gratitude on this occasion.”
The 2009 Trento Giro al Sas International (© Organisers)
Storied history
This historic race dates to the early 1900s, albeit under different names. In fact, in 1907, a footrace called the ‘Giro di Trento’ was held on the streets of the city, which at that time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The event was a great success, both competitively and as a spectacle, and it became an important annual occasion for Trento.
The race continued until World War I and resumed between the two world wars, following a route around the city's promenade. It was suspended again in 1940 due to World War II but resumed in 1945 under the name Giro al Sas, which also marked the beginning of its current numbering, reaching the 78th edition this year.
The race has grown in importance year after year thanks to the consistent participation of talented champions. Its roll of honour is filled with prestigious names from the world of running, including world champions, Olympic medallists and world record-holders. The event has created widespread interest, becoming a true celebration of sport and a thrilling competitive spectacle.
The course, now well established, winds through the most picturesque streets of Trento's historic centre and covers a measured distance. The name ‘Giro al Sas’ has become a recognised brand and is now owned by Banca per il Trentino Alto Adige, while the organisation of the race remains in the hands of ASD Città di Trento.
The roll of honour highlights the international nature of the event, which has always featured matchups between Italian and European champions, with early victories claimed by athletes from Austria, the Balkans, Switzerland and Germany.
This European rivalry continued until the 1980s, when an Australian runner topped the podium. In the following years, reflecting global trends in road racing, African athletes began to dominate, first from Morocco, then from Sub-Saharan Africa, with Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda taking the lead, while top European athletes occasionally broke through.
World Athletics Heritage
