Rome: Nearly 13,000 runners, including Filipinos based in Italy, participated in the 26th Corsa di Miguel on January 19 in Rome, Italy. 'It's a race of records, there are so many of us; this demonstration has been going on for many years to remember Miguel,' Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said before the start of the race at the Foro Italico.
According to Philippines News Agency, the annual event was held in memory of Miguel S¡nchez, a poet and athlete who stood for social justice and peace. "Long live Miguel, long live peace, democracy, and rights," Gualtieri said. 'This is a race that includes and shows the beauty of Rome. Our city fights forcefully against all racism and discrimination, and it is nice that this race holds this flag high together with many others, for a more beautiful and fairer society.'
Over 3,000 female runners, including Filipina runner Salvacion Patao, for the first time, reached the finish line at the Stadio Olimpico. 'First ko itong Corsa di Miguel kasi bago pa lang ako tumatakbo, sobra saya, dami participants, lalo na masaya kasi Olympic Stadium ang tapos ng race (Corsa di Miguel is my first because I just started running. I'm so happy, so many participants, especially that it was that race ended at the Olympic Stadium),' Patao said.
A group of female runners, who called themselves 'Onda Donna' (Wave Women) composed of locals and foreign nationals, including Filipinos, played a role in the increase of women participants. Aside from the main 10-kilometer race, the organizers also staged a 3K run to give young runners a chance to join the annual event.
"We have reached the record of almost 13 thousand registered participants. It is an unmissable event for Rome. It was really nice to run together with so many friends in an event that I care a lot about," Alessandro Onorato, councilor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism, and Fashion, said. Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy, known as Rigi, who won a gold medal in the discus for Rome in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, showed at the start line of the 10K race.
