With: ASICS
By: Silvia Galliani
ASICS & Milano Marathon: Run Fast Live Cool
After three years, Milano Marathon is back and with it also returns the Lenovo Relay Marathon, the non-competitive relay race, divided into 4 legs of variable distance between 7 and 13km, which saw teams of 4-runner teams face the same race course with the sole objective of supporting various non-profit organizations and their social projects.
Technical Partner of the Milanese marathon until 2024, ASICS took the field alongside Progetto Itaca, a reality that fully reflects the values of the brand and that takes care of people’s well-being and their mental health. Progetto Itaca was born in 1999 in Milan and nowadays promotes information, prevention, aid and rehabilitation programs aimed at people with mental health disorders and their families.
On the occasion of the XX edition of Milano Marathon, ASICS and Progetto Itaca have joined forces by organizing an active fundraising campaign on Rete del Dono. In addition, a large group of passionate runners lined up at the starting line wearing the colors of the Japanese brand that has always encouraged sports at all ages and at all levels to experience how movement can positively impact the mind and mental health.
More than 13 thousand people met in Corso Venezia on the morning of last April 3rd, members of the charity relay race included. But before starting the run on the canonical 42km, ASICS has decided to prepare its runners thanks to the ASICS Running Academy, two meetings where to train all together and live an experience in a pure “Anima Sana in Corpore Sano” style, the mission and acronym of the Japanese company that has always seen sport as a very important tool to promote the recovery of well-being and social integration.
During the two meetings, the ASICS FrontRunner, together with celebrities from the world of entertainment, journalists and influencers, ran together accompanied by coach Beatrice Mazza who led the two running sessions with specific exercises, followed by a moment of mindfulness running. In addition, ASICS FrontRunner Sara Brambilla – you can read her interview here – dispensed osteopathy advice. Subsequently Stefano Baldini, ASICS Brand Trainer, explained to everyone the Blast FF Plus technology implemented on the new Gel-Nimbus 24 model.
The shoe is in fact ideal for runners looking for high impact protection and a positive energy return, both for the body and for the mind. The design of the shoe guarantees high comfort for the sole of the foot while the brand new midsole with FF Blast Plus technology has made the shoe 20 grams lighter than the previous model, while ensuring a more reactive push and a softer landing at every step. The soft mesh upper and the flexible forefoot panel make the model breathable and comfortable even during longer runs, such as the running fractions of a relay. Finally, the use of the AHAR+ sole, lighter and more resistant than the materials commonly used for rubber soles, helps to improve durability and resistance against abrasion.
With the new Gel-Nimbus 24 at their feet, all the runners of the ASICS Running Academy showed up at the starting line of the Lenovo Relay Marathon, ready to take part in a colorful and joyful party and, at the same time, contributing to the fundraising that will help the solidarity projects of Progetto Itaca.
