29 Sep Press Conference 22a BAM
Press release dated February 20, 2024
The 22nd Gruppo Bossoni Brescia Art Marathon was presented today. «With BAM, sporting culture has developed in the city», Mayor Castelletti
Cantoni, Sports Councilor: «Thanks to BAM we keep the values of sport, friendship and being together high»
Three competitive events: marathon, half marathon and 10k
Even the “non-competitive” Sportland Easy Run 10k and Family Walking through the streets of the city.
BAM and the environment: closure of the historic center and single ordinary ticket valid for the whole day on all public transport
BRESCIA – With pride. It is in this spirit that the 22nd Gruppo Bossoni Brescia Art Marathon was presented today, in the Council Room at Palazzo Loggia, which will take place on Sunday 10 March 2024 on the three competitive distances of the marathon, half marathon and 10k. The pride of once again being the event that opens the spring 42 km season, but also that of being able to host all the runners in an increasingly welcoming city which, consistent with the stubbornness that has always characterized it, has not experienced the year of Italian capital of culture 2023 – with Bergamo – as a chapter in itself, but made the most of it, continuing on the same path and with a single objective: to improve and enrich the lives of its citizens and visitors, who they are increasingly numerous. The new cycle paths, the completely pedestrianized historic centre, but also the busy calendar of events and exhibitions are just some of the tangible signs of the soul of an increasingly lively city.
A city that opens its heart, Piazza della Loggia, at the start and finish of the 42k and 21k, an opportunity also for the families and friends of the participants who will be able to comfortably enjoy the start and finish line of the race but also the streets and monuments of the city.
The 10k, which this year has a new and important title sponsor, BCC Brescia, will have the same finish, but will start from via X days.
THE DECLARATIONS AT THE CONFERENCE – «BAM is competitive, but also inclusive and creative, the perfect image of Brescia, a city of industry, but also of culture and art, as demonstrated even more strongly last year by being the Italian Capital of Culture together in Bergamo – declared Laura Castelletti, mayor of Brescia – And sporting culture, thanks to this event, has taken root in our territory. Today we are ready to relaunch the athletics project with the same spirit that saw us protagonists in 2023: growing together.»
«It is the first time that I am present as councilor for sport – began Alessandro Cantoni –, first of all congratulations. When you reach such a high number of editions it means that there is total commitment behind it, a passion capable of involving more and more people. LA BAM is not a simple race, but it is an entire day that can be experienced by the whole community: athletes, walkers and families, who for once can enjoy the charm of the historic center in peace. Thanks again for this immense work.»
Dr. Gabriele Rosa, president of the Brescia Art Marathon, also spoke about Brescia, the people of Brescia and athletics: «My first word is thanks: to the mayor and the councillor, to the entire Municipality of Brescia, to the companies and associations and obviously to my collaborators capable of making this race grow, edition after edition. The BAM is the only marathon in the world that combines running and art, it is our flagship, it is a tribute due to our city. But not only that: it is a completely city competition, with the route chosen by the runners from Brescia themselves. On the day of the event, around 10,000 people move, each of whom has the opportunity to have fun in a context that I call the running festival. This is the Brescia marathon and we are proud of it. After the year of culture, in which Brescia did incredible things, boasting an increasingly strong image throughout the world, I want to launch a new project: to make Brescia the Italian capital of athletics. We have two tracks on the outskirts, soon there will be an indoor one and champions from all over the world come to train in our San Polino centre. The mayor said it, I repeat it: together we can do it.”
Ennio Zani, President of BCC Brescia: «We are the bank of Brescia and the people of Brescia, in 2023 we supported 800 projects in the area. This year we wanted to be alongside BAM also as title sponsor of the competitive 10 km, which among other things raises funds for a project of AVIS, an association to which we are very close. As an internal medicine doctor I can only thank the organizing team, which with this event manages to combine competitive spirit with non-competitive sporting practice. And we know well that playing sport is one of the cornerstones of those lifestyles that allow us to live longer and better.»
Marco Capitanio, President of Piccola Industria Brescia: «It is always nice to collaborate with the Municipality of Brescia and BAM. In 2023, the first year of this collaboration, we joined the event with 26 companies and 630 members. In 2024 we will do even better, with 46 companies and over 900 members. We will also activate a fundraiser in favor of two third sector associations, ESA – Active Health Education and Icaro Sport Disabili Onlus.»
Giuseppe Capoferri, CEO of Gulliver: «I had two dreams: being told that I am an artist and running the New York marathon. Dr. Rosa managed to get me both done. One of my paintings, entitled StartUp, is the Artistic Portfolio of this edition of the BAM. In November 2023 I crossed the finish line of the 42 km of the Big Apple, at 63 years old and with an expelled hernia. And now we are taking the kids who work at Gulliver, a Brescia-based software house, to do sports. Gabriele’s enthusiasm is contagious.»
Daniele Frassine, representative of Conad Centro Nord and delegate of the Conad members of the province of Brescia: «Our objective is to turn part of our profit onto the territory we live in and we do it actively. Thanks to one of our clients, this collaboration began, which will certainly continue for years. Will I run? Not exactly. I will enjoy the historic center by participating in Family Walking with my wife and daughters.»
BIND
COMPETITIVE DISTANCES
As per tradition, there will be three competitive distances: marathon with its 42.195 km, half marathon of 21.097 km and the 10 km. The “long” races will start at 8.30 from via S. Faustino (southern part) and the BCC Brescia 10k from via
THE ROUTES
The 42k and 21k routes will reveal to participants all the souls of Brescia: the historical one, with the Roman remains, monuments, museums, arches and squares, but also the industrial and green one, which will lead runners to run in the areas more peripheral, but no less fascinating, of the city and along the cycle paths: you will admire, among others, the 1000 Miglia Museum, the Roman remains of the Capitolium, the Broletto arch, from which you will enter the historic centre, Piazza Paolo VI with the Duomo Nuovo and the Duomo Vecchio and, obviously, Piazza della Loggia.
The route of the BCC Brescia 10k has been modified slightly compared to that of the last edition: it will start from via
All three routes are certified and FIDAL approved, are fast and, for the safety of all participants, will be manned by over 400 volunteers.
THE 10K AWARDS THE CUS PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS
Special awards in the BBC Brescia 10k, which again this year will award the titles of Brescia male and female CUS distance champion. A beautiful initiative that will involve students from all Brescia faculties.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
At the start of BAM 2024 there will also be the athletes of Special Olympics, the world organization that involves people with intellectual-relational disabilities through sport. There will be a large number of them present and, as always, lined up on the starting line there will also be the standard bearers of the ASD Non solo Sport of Brescia.
OFFICIAL T-SHIRT AND MEDAL: THE ROAR OF THE LIONESS
It is the Lioness, symbol of Brescia and the character of its citizens, who is depicted on the t-shirt and medal of the 2024 edition of the BAM. The t-shirt is signed by Luanvi, the leading Spanish company in the technical clothing sector which has decided to run with all BAM runners from 2021, guaranteeing them a precious garment that will help them during training and races.
The medal has a refined and stylized shape, which owes its color to the people of the race. In fact, through the social channels of the event, a survey was announced through which to choose between gray and blue. The latter was the winner.
In both, the colors of the event’s logo act as a background: blue/light blue, which distinguishes the city of Brescia, and red to underline energy and movement, characteristics inherent in the DNA of the city and of the marathon runners.
REGISTRATIONS – There are already many runners who, taking advantage of the most convenient rates, have registered for the three competitive distances (42.195 km, 21.097 km and 10 km). It will still be possible to take advantage of one last discounted rate until February 28th.
Online registration (https://bresciamarathon.it/gare-2/) will close on Thursday 7 March. “Last minute” runners will still have the opportunity to register on Saturday 9 March until 2pm at the Marathon Village.
COMPANY AGREEMENTS – The teams that register a minimum of 40 athletes in total for the three races for BAM 2024 will be able to count on a special quota. But not only that: for every 10 registrations on a single distance, one will be recognized free of charge.
For information: Erica, tel. 348 9769543 – marketing@rosassociati.it
SPECIAL FEES FOR MARATHON RUNNERS – “Endless” promotion for all women: they will be able to register, from 1 September 2023 to 9 March 2024, for the 42 km at the fixed cost of 40 euros.
MEETINGS AT THE MARATHON VILLAGE
A VILLAGE TO BE EXPERIENCED
Piazza del Mercato, a stone’s throw from Piazza della Loggia, on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March, will host the Marathon Village which, as per “BAM tradition” will give the marathon runner a Saturday full of meetings. In addition to collecting your bibs, in fact, you will be able to admire the latest news from partner companies, listen to and ask for advice from champions of the caliber of Giorgio Calcaterra and discover many friendly competitions that could become challenging seasonal goals. The village will be open on Saturday 9th March from 9am to 7pm and on Sunday 10th from 6am to 8am.
GIORGIO CALCATERRA ANSWERED: PRESENT!
It is certainly among the most anticipated of the 2024 edition of BAM. And not only for his competitive commitment with the 21k on Sunday 10 March. Giorgio Calcaterra, in fact, will also be the absolute protagonist on Saturday 9 February, when he will be present, at the Marathon Village, at the stand of EthicSport, a leading company in the sports supplements sector of which the ultramarathon runner is an ambassador. All runners will be able, on this occasion, to ask him for advice and curiosities related to his sporting career and his exploits.
Calcaterra, over the years, has been able to win over all those who, like him, love running through results but not only: the absolute values of fair and clean sport that have distinguished him since his first steps and still distinguish him have made him become a real point of reference for all enthusiasts of the 42 km and beyond.
His palmares speaks for itself: among all his extraordinary results the three world champion titles in the 100 km ultramarathon stand out, the 12 victories at the 100 km Passatore, the entry into the Guinness World Record as the only man to have run 16 marathons in one year under 2:20′ and several other records. Again in 2015 he achieved the feat of running the Rome Marathon twice consecutively, one after the other, arriving in ninth place in the first race and spending around 6 hours in total with the second and, spectacle of the spectacle, crossing the finish line with the last competitor.
On Sunday Calcaterra, enthusiastically accepting the invitation of Vitality, a point of sale of supplements and services in Brescia and “home” of the majority of runners from Brescia and beyond, will therefore be at the start of the BAM 21k, a perhaps unusual and “short” distance for him, but which fits well into his competitive calendar: the following week on Sunday 17 March, in fact, he will run the Acea Run Rome The Marathon.
BAM IS FOR EVERYONE: WALKERS, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN FOR NON-COMPETITIVES
There are three non-competitive events signed by BAM, which on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March will see children playing sports and having fun, who – like the older ones – will experience the thrill of crossing a finish line, walkers and families, who will be able to enjoy at least one time city and friends without traffic, and all those who love to run without worrying about the stopwatch. Simply choose between Sportland Easy Run 10K, Family Walking and Tomorrow Runners.
SPORTLAND EASY RUN 10K
10 kilometers along the route of its competitive “sister”, the Sportland Easy Run 10k has attracted more and more passionate walkers and groups of friends over the years. Recreational-motor event open to all, without the obligation of a medical certificate. The start will be at 8.50am on Sunday 10 March. It is possible to register online on the official website of the event or at the Sportland Elnos and S. Eufemia sales points in Brescia until Thursday 7 March. Registration will reopen on Saturday 9th (all day) and Sunday 10th (until half an hour before departure) at the Marathon Village. Participation includes a souvenir t-shirt (to be worn), bib, final refreshment and bag storage of personal clothing.
FAMILY WALKING
It has always been the event dedicated to the family: the Family Walking, organized with the technical support of Uisp Brescia and in collaboration with AIL, AVIS and ADMO, will start and end in Piazza del Mercato after 5 kilometers to be covered entirely in the historic center of Brescia. Families will thus be able to spend a morning being together, relaxing, having fun and, why not, chatting. But not only that: with their registration they will contribute to raising funds for “This summer I met AVIS”, a project which for the first time is aimed at young people in a context other than school. The initiative, which will develop through educational meetings on generosity and active citizenship during moments of leisure in summer recreational centres, aims to be a moment of sharing and growth in values of the new generations (for further information: www.bresciamarathon.it/wp -content/uploads/2023/11/avis.pdf ) Departure at 10:00 on Sunday 10 March from Piazza del Mercato and souvenir t-shirt for all participants offered by the Centro Rondinelle of Brescia, which has supported the “Family” since the first year ” in solidarity.
TOMORROW RUNNERS, THE FUTURE IS HERE – A real show, which gives joy to the little runners and emotions to those who watch it: the Tomorrow Runners is another flagship of the BAM: a recreational-motor race, it is dedicated to school pupils classes IV and V of the city’s primary schools. And as per tradition, the 2024 edition will officially open on Saturday 9 March in Campo Marte.
BAM IS (ALSO) HEALTH – ENVIRONMENT, COMMON GOOD
On Sunday 10 March, on the occasion of the Gruppo Bossoni Brescia Art Marathon, the historic center – the entire area within the Venetian walls – will be closed to traffic from 9am to 6pm. The Municipality of Brescia and the Brescia Mobilità Group, to facilitate travel, will offer marathon runners and citizens the opportunity to travel on public transport throughout the day with a single ordinary ticket, valid on both buses and the subway.
Both those who live in the city and those coming from other locations will be able to conveniently leave their car in the car park under their house or in one of the car parks near the metro stops. With this in mind, the Brescia Art Marathon continues to support the BiciBrescia Project created by the Municipality of Brescia. Objective? Invite citizens and, in this case, participants (and companions) to reach the locations of the various “on two wheels” events. And, if you don’t have a bicycle, BiciMia is available, the city’s now widespread automatic bicycle rental system.
RI.PRE.SA. FOR WOMEN
Ri.Pre.Sa. is the association which, chaired by Dr. Luigi Filippini, breast surgeon of the Civil Hospital of Brescia, aims, as indicated in the name, to promote applied clinical research (Ri), secondary prevention (Pre) and health (Sa ), through prevention in the field of tumor pathologies, with particular regard to breast cancer. The ASD Rosa Running Team, again this year, wanted her at its side: Ri.Pre.Sa. will be present at BAM with its own stand, inside the Marathon Village, to provide information on the association’s initiatives.
WELL-BEING IN COMPANIES
This year too, BAM and the Marathon Center have teamed up with Confidustria Brescia, which, as on the occasion of the 2023 edition, invited all its members to take part in the Gruppo Bossoni Brescia Art Marathon 2024 by forming company teams.
BAM AND CELIAC DISEASE
It is now a presence as fixed as it is fundamental and this year too the Italian Celiac Association will offer the final refreshment package to all celiac runners.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRESCIA MUSEI FOUNDATION
“FRANCO FONTANA” EXHIBITION FREE FOR ALL RUNNERS
Also this year the ASD Rosa Running Team, organizer of the event, has renewed its collaboration with the Brescia Musei Foundation (www.bresciamusei.com), the body that manages a very precious museum system made up of the Santa Giulia Museum and Brixia , but also from the Archaeological Park of Roman Brescia – a UNESCO site since 2011 – from the Piancoteca of Tosio Martinengo, from the Castle of Brescia with the “Luigi Marzoli” Weapons Museum and the Leonessa d’Italia Risorgimento Museum.
Thanks to the partnership, Fondazione Musei Brescia will offer all those registered for the three competitive distances of BAM 2024 (marathon, half marathon and 10 km) a free entry ticket to the “Franco Fontana” exhibition, an exceptional monographic journey dedicated to one of the pioneers of color photograph and exhibited at the Santa Giulia museum from 8 March to 28 July 2024. Reduced ticket for the companion.
THE ARTISTIC FILE 2024
THANKS TO GULLIVER
Like every year, the Brescia Art Marathon, in collaboration with various artists, creates an “artistic portfolio” in memory of the event to offer to the awarded athletes, representatives of the institutions and all partners. This year the 2024 Artistic Folder is signed by Giuseppe Capoferri, artist and CEO of Gulliver, the innovative software house from Brescia that wanted to be alongside BAM as main partner. The painting that Capoferri chose for the Brescia Art Marathon is called “StartUp”, a way to depict the growth of the Gulliver company.
AGREEMENT WITH HOTELS
ON THE RUNNER’S SIDE
Alongside BAM, also in 2024, is the Hotel Brescia group. Thanks to this partnership, runners will be able to book in the best accommodation facilities in the city at a discounted price and enjoy some attentions reserved for them, such as the early breakfast time of 6.30 and the possibility, with a minimal supplement, of being able to keep their room until 3.30pm. All agreements on the official BAM website – https://bresciamarathon.it/dove-alloggiare/
IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING
BOSSONI GROUP HALF MARATHON TROPHY
The BAM 21k, as per tradition, will open the Gruppo Bossoni Half Marathon Trophy, now in its 6th edition. Four races, all of a high level and with a common denominator that runners like: they are the 4 fastest half marathons in northern Italy. After the Brescia half marathon we will continue with the Orzinuovi Half Marathon (1 April), the Placentia Half Marathon (5 May) to end with the Cremona Half Marathon (20 October). – https://bresciamarathon.it/gruppo-bossoni-half-marathon-trophy-2024/
AS ALWAYS, THE TEAM WINS
IF THERE WEREN’T THERE…
You don’t go anywhere alone. The ASD Rosa Running Team knows this well and in the organization of the BAM can count on the precious support of people and bodies, starting with Fidal, which has always guaranteed effective collaboration and the fundamental presence of the Federal Judges Group; Uisp, and Cus Brescia; the Italian Red Cross, the over 400 volunteers, the Civil Protections, the ASD athletics, the Volunteers for Brescia, the non-profit communities and the numerous Alpine soldiers of the Nikolajewka National Alpine Association.
A DUE THANKS
To the Municipality of Brescia for the great recognition in terms of availability and essential services made available for the event and to the Local Police who have always been at BAM’s side with the important presence of dozens of officers involved since the early hours of the morning.
The ASD Rosa Running Team also thanks all those who, by taking to the field alongside BAM, share its objectives and values and thus contribute to the construction of a great event. And the team, which cohesive, moves behind the scenes, includes the Brescia Mobilità Group, the Provincial Association of the FAI, and the many partner friends, whose contribution is fundamental for the development of the event: Gruppo Bossoni (title sponsor); Luanvi (technical sponsor); Conad, Ostilio Mobili, Grana Padano, BCC Brescia, Gulliver (main sponsor); Mico, Boario, Sportland, Rondinelle, DimmidiSì, Ritter Sport and Cenpi (partners); Network and Knowledge Accountants, Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta and Brescia Centrale del latte (supporter); EthicSport, Valledoro, Andrini Marmellate, G4 Vigilanza, Abaribi, Pasta Valdigrano and Naicos (friends); and Editoriale Bresciana, with Giornale di Brescia, Teletutto and RadioBresciaSette as media partners.
Per info: www.bresciamarathon.it – press@rosassociati.it 030-9898006
Cesare Monetti
Ufficio Stampa
Bossoni Brescia Art Marathon
- 380.3114270
