BOLLENGO.
Fifth place overall and first place in the over 50 category. This is the umpteenth feat of the Bollenghino runner Paolo Godardi, 51, at the second edition of UltrApuane, a race valid for the national ultracycling circuit, held last weekend. Three days in which Godardi traveled 601 km in 29h56 ‘, all made possible thanks to the precious collaboration of his team, made up of Elizabeth Cosenza, Massimiliano Diabotti, Mauro Ugo and Roberto Marangone.
«It was three days of pure adrenaline – commented Godardi – and it was only thanks to my team that I was able to finish the race. Friday we left for Lucca, then the next day, at 8.40 the start. It was a beautiful and at the same time more difficult route than the Race Across Italy: we started in the rain, the track had an altitude difference of 11,200 meters, the climbs were challenging and we had to cross the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, also passing through the Abetone, Mount San Pellegrino and the Dress Pass, before returning to Lucca. There were twenty-eight daredevils: after the rain, we also had to face the great heat, while at night, at high altitude, the temperatures were cold, but despite everything we managed to complete the route and this was the most important goal. This was our first time – explains Godardi – the organizers invited us a few months ago and since then I have trained hard every day to be competitive, knowing full well that it would be a very tough race both because the participants were strong and for the difficulty of the race combined with the weather conditions of the period. We had fun, I was supported by a fantastic staff who made programming, km after km and the continuous motivational charge, the two battle horses – says Godardi. Without Cosenza, Diabotti, Ugo and Marangone I could not have even remotely thought of taking part in such an event. Now the goal is to be able to better prepare for next year’s Race Across Italy, as well as Race Across America “-