FELICETTI: HE WHO ENDURES, WINS! THE SASLONG HM CROWNS COLIVA

Daniele Felicetti after many podiums wins the Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon
Benedetta Coliva from debut to victory with record: she is a national reality in running
The Sassolungo tour enchants runners from 25 nations, specialists and amateurs alike
The ASV Gherdëina Runners for the 5th edition collects a new great success


In the splendid setting of the Dolomites between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa, the 5th Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon took place today. The trail running event with a spectacular view of the Sassolungo Group and the Sassopiatto was a great success among the 600 runners (maximum number allowed) from no less than 25 nations. Victory went to two golden boys, who raced their hearts out today: on the one hand, Trentino's Daniele Felicetti found redemption after three seconds and a third place, while among the women, Bologna star Benedetta Coliva - after making her debut in last year's race on Monte Pana - returned to her beloved mountains, this time leaving her prestigious signature on the roll of honour.

Start at 9 a.m. on the sunny plateau of Monte Pana in the shadow of the Hotel Cendevaves, from the Ladin 'hundred springs' that 'flow' in this idyllic area. One hundred, like the emotions experienced by professional and amateur runners along the 21 km and 900 metres of altitude difference, appreciating the breathtaking views and unique scenery of the Sassolungo Group, the Sella, the Marmolada glacier, the Scilliar and the Alpe di Siusi plateau.

If a good day dawns...it will be a good day. And so it was for Daniele Felicetti who got up on the right foot this morning, and proved it in the race by immediately forcing himself together with the South Tyrolean favourite number one Alex Oberbacher, two victories already in his pocket. Halfway up the slope towards the Rifugio Comici, the man from Trentino attempted to sprint, pulling 10 metres ahead of Oberbacher from Val Gardena, who immediately realised that his legs were not 'spinning' as they should have been today. The attack proved to be the winning one, and Felicetti even increased his lead at the Friedrich August Refuge over the now resigned Oberbacher, while behind were the South Tyrolean Martin Griesser and Lukas Messner. Final technical descent, passage next to the small, pleasant lake and off to the finish.

This is a name to be noted for the future: Benedetta Coliva, the promise of Italian athletics, who just last year, almost as a joke, took part in her first race at the Dolomites Saslong, astounding everyone with a second podium place. Today she crowned a dream by dominating 'her' race alone, from start to finish, and even setting a new women's record. She pushed hard on the ascent, creating a vacuum, while a wild Martina Falchetti was duelling behind her with the German Ingalena-Schömburg-Heuck. At Passo Sella, South Tyrolean Falchetti was in second place, shortly afterwards being overtaken by the German. At the finish line everyone was ready to welcome the super star Coliva, who arrived in Val Gardena yesterday accompanied by her mum and dad and even her little dog. After 1h51'48" of the race she let herself go in a liberating cry with all the organisers hugging her, they who have seen her grow and become today an athlete with a future already written, a true 'mascot'. Second place went to Germany's Schömburg with a 6'42" gap, and a smiling and nevertheless satisfied Martina Falchetti completed the podium.