Khalid Jbari And Monique Siegel Are First Over The Line Out Of The 700-Strong Field In The Alpe Di Siusi Half Marathon
The 700 athletes that took part in the Alpe di Siusi Half Marathon were treated to a 21-kilometre run through alpine pastureland at an altitude of 1,800 metres above sea level with the Sassolungo, Sassopiatto and the Sciliar Massif providing a spectacular backdrop to the action. The sixth outing of the half marathon across Europe’s largest mountain plateau attracted runners from 27 nations who competed on a beautiful route set in the magical surrounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.
The men’s race was dominated by Khalid Jbari (ITA), who completed the distance in 1:21.22,8. Just 30 seconds behind him was Markus Ploner (ITA) while the third step on the podium went to Hannes Rungger (ITA) who stopped the clock in 1:23.36,5.
The first woman across the line was Monique Siegel (GER) in a time of 1:34.17,4, ahead of the German Franziska Bossow (1:34.56,6) and the Italian Elena Casaro (1:35.52,4).
The Alpe di Siusi Half Marathon was the second (and final) event in the special Alpe di Siusi Ski & Run combined classification for athletes who not only completed today’s event but also either the 30 or 15-kilometre routes of the Moonlight Classic Alpe di Siusi cross-country skiing competition. There were two standings: one calculated by adding athletes times in the half marathon and the 15-kilometre ski event, and the other calculated on the times of the half marathon combined with the 30-kilometre skiing distance.
The former was topped by Hannes Haselrieder (ITA) in a time of 2:40.25,4 and the Italian Paola Davanzo (3:52.32,8). The latter was topped by the Italian Thomas Bormolini (3:02.43,5) and the German Monique Siegel (3:12.42,4).
But there was more to the Alpe di Siusi event that just love of competition and a stunningly beautiful course. A local team of athletes were also running for charity in a special relay: each member of the team completed around two kilometres of the course to raise funds for “Sporthilfe Alto Adige”, an association that supports promising local youngsters to fulfil their sporting promise. The relay raised a total of 4,200 euro and said proceeds were also presented during the prize-giving ceremony to Hermann Trojer, a member of the “Sporthilfe Alto Adige” board.
MEN’S CLASSIFCATION
1. Khalid Jbari (ITA), 1:21.22,8
2. Markus Ploner (ITA), 1:21.52,1
3. Hannes Rungger (ITA), 1:23.36,5
4. Gianmarco Bazzoni (ITA), 1:27.07,2
5. Martin Griesser (ITA), 1:28.58,2
WOMEN’S CLASSIFICATION
1. Monique Siegel (GER), 1:34.17,4
2. Franziska Bossow (GER), 1:34.56,6
3. Elena Casaro (ITA), 1:35.52,4
4. Petra Pircher (ITA), 1:37.33,2
5. Elisabetta Mazzocco (ITA), 1:42.32,8