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100 Miglia Monviso: word to the organizers

By: Ludovica Sacco
100 Miglia Monviso

As Saluzzo people, we are particularly fond of the Stone King and what it orbits around. This includes events such as the 100 Miglia Monviso, scheduled for August 19/21, 2022. But what is behind the realization of such an event? We asked Alberto Dellacroce and Luigi Vallome, two of the event’s organizers. Both work in the organizing body “Fondazione Amleto Bertoni”.

Where did the making of the 100 Miglia Monviso start?
A: The organization of the race was initiated by Terres Monviso, a territory protocol that promotes Occitan Culture between Italy and France through a wide range of events. The project covers areas from Stura Valley to Infernotto Valley with about 68 municipalities, including Saluzzo as a reference point.
L: That’s right! By the way, from the very beginning there was a political table that believed in the event. Then the technical advice of the area runners was added and the Fondazione Amleto Bertoni was contacted for the organization.

Instead, how did the Monviso Trail and Monviso Vertical come together?
A: They were born together with the 100 Miglia Monviso from an idea of Carlo Degiovanni, historical organizer of the Tour Monviso Trail. After 8 years since the first edition, Tour Monviso Trail has reached its full maturity and Carlo felt the need to create a new event that could involve a wider territory. From its side, the 100 Miglia Monviso is designed to be a moment that has with it different possibilities that can involve many types of athletes, from ultra runners to vertical enthusiasts. All three races are structured to close together to have a big final party with all participants in Saluzzo.

You have planned many side events. How do they work?
A: For us, it has always been crucial to unite the pieces of the area, to include residents and volunteers-it’s an event that we do together. Luigi, how many Whatsapp groups do you run with volunteers?
L: I would say about 30 just dedicated to the 100 Mile. It’s very useful, though, because on the 100 Miglia weekend we have 200 volunteers, add the people who track and clean the route before the race, and we reach 400 people from different valleys and municipalities. Regarding side events, we wanted to create a marathon of initiatives that follows the race route at the times when the athletes pass the most. It is magical to see that each township welcomes those who race by animating in their own way.

How did registration go? Are there any big names from the Ultratrail/Trail world?
A: Not a very easy year for entries, there are so many races and catch-ups from the two years lost. The numbers are slightly down but we have more registrations of athletes of a certain level that raise the quality.
L: Among the athletes we will definitely have Lisa Borzani, Francesca Canepa, Pablo Criado, Luca Ambrosini, Carmine de Grandis and Danilo Lanternino who, together with Paolo Bert, designed the race.

Last year what feedback did you receive from athletes?
L: Many were suggestions that we listened to carefully and incorporated this year. There was also a lot of positive feedback both on the course and the views but especially on the reception, this touched us particularly. As many as 180 feedbacks.

Are you planning similar events in the future?

A: There are! Right now we have Intervall, a project that goes from Pagno to Vicoforte with 215 km that can be done by walking, biking or building an ultra. It is designed to cover a period and placement where there are no races: the lower valley in spring/autumn. The route has been designed by the guys from the Compagnia del Buon cammino and will be unveiled on the day of the start of the 100 Miglia. We don’t know yet what it will become, but it is important for us to be able to build it because we would have a chance to enhance and tell about another part of the territory.