With nearly 700 athletes at the start, the fourth edition of the Challenge Sanremo broke the attendance record since the event became part of the international Challenge Family circuit. Beyond the success in numbers, the reputation of the event and of the participating locations has grown, especially among foreign participants (35 nationalities at the start this year), who are literally enchanted by the beauty of Sanremo and the Riviera dei Fiori.
As every year, a truly massive deployment of forces is being made to make the race weekend possible. More than 300 volunteers are involved, 130 people are assigned to guard the cycling course, four boats, two firefighter jet skis, four canoes, eight rescue dogs, one car and two traffic police motorcycles, 10 ambulances coordinated by the Imperia White Cross, and 40 refreshment staff. In addition to the more than 20 technical escort vehicles, eight motorcycles were used to transport accredited media and race officials.
“If the event is growing year after year, credit also goes to all the people and institutions who support us,” explains Daniele Moraglia, Race Director of Challenge Sanremo. “The dialogue with His Excellency the Prefect, His Excellency the Police Commissioner, the Provincial Heads of the Carabinieri, State Police, and Financial Police, the Port Authority, the Provincial Police, the Mayors and Commanders of the Municipal Police of the municipalities through which the race passes, the Province of Imperia, and all the entities that ensured compliance with the various ordinances for the safety of athletes, spectators, and citizens is increasingly fruitful and effective.”
The Province of Imperia and local governments have made significant contributions to further improving the cycling course, resurfacing several sections that were in poor condition until just a few weeks ago.
“This year, Portosole was our home,” adds Moraglia, “a truly evocative location, unique in the world of triathlon, which the athletes loved. We found open doors and a shared vision, aspects that make us aspire to great projects for future editions.”
ITALIAN FLAVORS
In addition to the magnificent setting of the race course and the scenic beauty of this corner of the region, participants savored the typical flavors of Liguria at the Pasta Party. Over 100 kg of Trofie al Pesto, 25 square meters of Sardenaira, 25 square meters of Focaccia, more than 6,000 liters of water and 1,500 liters of mineral supplements, over 1,200 cans of Red Bull, and plenty of fresh fruit were distributed. To round things off, everyone enjoyed an excellent espresso (nearly 1,000 cups dispensed) served in paper cups.
SPECIAL PRIZES
This year, in the internationally renowned middle-distance race, dominated by France’s Justine Guerard and Germany’s Leonard Arnold, special prizes were awarded once again. The Marco Gavino Memorial, for the best runner, went to Michele Sarzilla (who finished second), and the Ulrike Wachtler Memorial, for the best runner, went to Luisa Iogna Prat (third). The Daniele Rambaldi Trophy, for the best under-23 sprinters, went to local athlete Ginevra Sclavo and Fabio Bruschi. There was also a great celebration for the Swim & Run relay, in memory of Alessio Bianchi. Niccolò Bonifazio, a former professional cyclist who debuted in the middle-distance triathlon with Riviera Triathlon in 1992, also participated in the Challenge Sanremo. He also accompanied several participants on the “On the Roads of Milan-Sanremo” ride on the Friday before the race.
TOURISM AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
This year, tourism has further increased, and thus the economic impact of the event on the local area, thanks to the large number of foreign athletes who choose Challenge Sanremo and the Riviera dei Fiori for a pre- or post-race vacation.
Surveys and studies conducted in collaboration with Challenge Family and students from the University of Foro Italico in Rome have shown that over 4,000 people attended the event in the Province of Imperia in the 14 days before and 7 days after the event, generating income for the local area of over €900,000.
Furthermore, the study revealed that 15% of the registered participants had been in Sanremo the year before the event to try out the routes. Finally, in the same period of time, at least 5 training camps were organised by Pro Athletes in the winter period, accompanied by amateur athletes trained by them, offering a seasonally adjusted tourist impact compared to the usual ones.
MEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIA
The press coverage was truly extensive, thanks to the strong coverage given to the event by local media, the attention of the international sports press, and the involvement of national newspapers: this year, the three major Italian sports publications covered the Challenge Sanremo.
Numbers are also growing on social media: only in September, more than 555,000 views were recorded, reaching 63,000 users (in the last week, 50% were foreign), with a 7% increase in followers. More than 600 pieces of content were published, some in collaboration with Challenge Family and Portosole, and there was extensive reposting activity, with more than 200 stories from athletes and family members attending the event reposted and over 500 tags @challengesanremo added. Furthermore, on the day of the main race alone, the Challenge Family social media pages, which published content and live updates related to the Sanremo event, exceeded 100,000 views; Challenge Sanremo received 154,445 page views on Sunday, September 21st.
EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS
This year, Challenge Sanremo was once again one of the Transversal Skills and Orientation Programs (PCTO) for over 40 high school students from the local area, particularly from the Istituto d’Istruzione Superiore “G. Ruffini” in Imperia, majoring in AFM Sport – Sports Management, and the Liceo Statale Gian Domenico Cassini in Sanremo. Furthermore, significant support in every aspect of the event’s organization was provided by 40 students from the Master’s Degree in Sports Management at the University of Rome ‘Foro Italico’, who fully committed themselves during this learning experience in preparing and managing an international event.
SUSTAINABILITY
This year, Challenge Sanremo also made progress in terms of sustainability and environmental impact. The finisher and award medals, one of the most cherished memories for triathletes, were 3D-printed using PLA, an innovative bioplastic derived from the transformation of sugars found in corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, and other natural, renewable, and non-petroleum-based materials. The medal is biodegradable. Furthermore, thanks to a collaboration with ACBC (Anything Can Be Changed), athlete gifts and merchandise were made from recycled and certified materials. The customized collection included two different backpacks, a water bottle, a pair of sports sunglasses, and a visor cap.
THE ORGANIZING TEAM
As previously noted, the Sanremo event is increasingly recognized on the international calendar, thanks in part to the ongoing technical and visibility support provided by Challenge Family, which this year was present on the race course with Quality Manager Juanan Fernandez and Marketing and Communications Manager Victoria Murray-Orr. “With Challenge Family, there is an ongoing, constructive, and open dialogue, which allows us to continually evolve,” adds Moraglia. “In addition to our representatives on the international circuit, I must thank the Core Team, who work alongside me with dedication and passion year-round, Riviera Triathlon 1992, the organizing company of which I am president, which is always very involved in the event, and a special mention goes to the three board members present: Christian Moraglia, Alessandra Pezzella, and Giorgia Mariotti, who have become key pillars of the organization.”
