Pistoia-Abetone 2025, photos and winners of the 48th edition

Pistoia, June 29, 2025 – A 48th edition of the Pistoia-Abetone Ultramarathon, on Sunday, June 29, marked by heat, but that did not stop the many athletes at the start. Like a long journey, to reach the finish line located in the center of Abetone, in a unique setting of sensations, scents and views that the route gives and leaves as a memory to each athlete, who accepts this challenge with themselves and with the legendary Pistoia mountain.

14 photos

Two victories branded “Romagna” in this 2025 edition: Matteo Lucchese wins for the fourth time (previous: 2015, 2016 and 2019) regaining health and fitness that had been missing for some years; Daniela Valgimigli was instead at her second participation in the Pistoia-Abetone and won after having reached and distanced Ilaria Bergaglio in the last 15 kilometers, giving rise to a sort of revenge compared to the 100 km of the Passatore a month ago, which ended in reverse positions.

Behind Lucchese, first in 3:43'15”, was the French Julien Guyidon (first in the Elba Marathon on May 4) who, stopping the clock at 3:48'43” managed to resist the comeback of Filippo Bovanini (3:49'30”). With 4'12'15” Daniela Valgimigli managed to distance Ilaria Bergaglio by a good 3 minutes (4:15'27”). The podium was completed by Sarah Giomi (4:17'16”), winner last year, returning after months of injury. Far from her best form, Federica Moroni finished in fourth place (4:30'26”) preceding Elena Cerfeda, who with 4:49'49” honorably defended the colors of the organizing company, Silvano Fedi.

The passion of 800 athletes

There were 800 enthusiasts who pushed themselves to cover the entire grueling 50 km that lead from just 65 meters above sea level in the starting area, the cathedral square in Pistoia, to 1,388 meters above sea level in Abetone, to cross the finish line in Piazza delle Piramidi, which represents a legend in the world of ultra marathons. Around 300 other competitors stopped at the finish line in San Marcello, at the 30th km, in many cases with the aim of testing their condition and becoming familiar with the route and its challenging altimetry, to then prepare the attack on the summit of Mount Falco, at the top of Abetone, for the 2026 edition. Those who actually reached the top of Abetone, and what's more before the top runners arrived, were the participants in the "Freewalking San Marcello-Abetone" (20 km) and the 500 enthusiasts who were the protagonists of the "Quarto traguardo Le Regine-Abetone" (3 km), the solidarity walk for all open to the participation of disabled athletes.

The progress of the race

Starting as per tradition at 7:30 from the historic center of Pistoia, the men's race was characterized by the "outburst" of the Kenyan Peter Wahome Murithi, who withdrew before the 15th kilometer. The role of leader was thus taken on by the group formed by Lucchese, Marco Menegardi, the Frenchman Julien Guyidon and the German Marco Sturm, who withdrew after the 30th kilometer. The pace maintained by Lucchese then became unsustainable even for Guyidon, who then had to grit his teeth to keep Filippo Bovanini from coming back, coming back from behind. The uncertainty made the women's race, all Italian, spectacular. Ilaria Bergaglio tried several times to take the initiative, without ever managing to distance Daniela Valgimigli by more than a minute, with Sarah Giomi just behind and Federica Moroni six minutes behind; the decisive overtaking took place near the intermediate-marathon (42.195 km of the race), when Bergaglio was no longer able to counter Valgimigli's progression. Silvano Fedi also archives this edition with a big thank you to all the sponsors, institutions and the brave volunteers present along the route in logistics and in charge of the 18 refreshment points along the race route.

ARRIVALS ABETONE 50 KM - MEN

1 Matteo Lucchese 1980 ITA BERGAMO STAR ATHLETICS 03:43:15

2 Julien Guyidon 1993 FRA FRANCE 03:48:43

3 Filippo Bovanini 1994 ITA AVIS CASTEL S. PIETRO 03:49:30

4 Simone Pessina 1985 ITA BERGAMO STARS ATHLETICS 03:57:10

5 Ridolfi Fabrizio 1990 ITA GARFAGNANA EARS 03:59:15

6 Bordignon Federico 1992 ITA VICENZA MARATHON 04:01:14

7 Gianluca Ricci 1974 ITA ATHLETICS VENAFRO 04:02:35

8 Marco Menegardi 1986 ITA GS Orobie 04:03:14

9 Fiesoli Gabriele 1988 ITA MEDICEA PODISTICA 04:05:00

10 Farnararo Massimo 1974 ITA PISTOIA ATHLETIC 1983 04:05:46

ARRIVALS ABETONE 50 KM - WOMEN