San Giovanni Night: Over Two Thousand Participants in Cesena

Introductions are no longer necessary, because after 51 years we all know each other. Even if there are thousands of us. In fact, yesterday evening at 8 pm, behind the starting line in Piazza della Libertà, there were over two thousand people, women and men of all ages who arrived in the heart of Cesena with the intention of participating in the 51st edition of the Notturna di San Giovanni , an event that has become a classic in the Romagna running scene.

Of these, 534 signed up for the competitive race, 10 kilometers and 800 meters long and developed along a route that has become the trademark of the event. Yes, because you can talk as much as you want about the accompanying initiatives, the three-kilometer walk among buildings and monuments accompanied by a guide (which was nevertheless a great success), the tradition and the celebration of the city's patron saint that, together with summer, is fast approaching. Attention was elsewhere last night anyway.

The difference at the 'Notturna' is all in being behind that starting line, waiting for the go. To win? Maybe for some of those in the front row, yes, but above all to be there.

Challenge within the challenge, yesterday the mayor Enzo Lattuca and his predecessor Paolo Lucchi also measured themselves on the edge of seconds, both passionate about running, who, given the occasion, decided to play it 'first come, first served'. With a smile on their lips, of course, but also with the determination to leave no stone unturned until the finish line. Their very personal comparison rewarded Lattuca (who, crossing the finish line in 53 minutes and 34 seconds, evened the score with a previous victory by Lucchi who, far from giving up, has already relaunched to 2026 for the 'belle').

Regarding the general classification, Nicholas De Nicolò won (35 minutes and 44 seconds), ahead of Andrea Bonoli and Alberto Della Pasqua, for a hat-trick designed by Asd Dinamo Running. On the women's side, success for Martina Facciani (40 minutes and 7 seconds) of Atletica 85 Faenza ahead of her sister Valentina and Sara Cecconi.