History year by year

2021
Sofiia Yaremchuk could not have made her debut on the marathon in a better way. The athlete of the Army Sports Center, trained by Fabio Martelli, was the interpreter of an intelligent and judicious race: she did not respond to the jerks of the African athletes near the San Giuliano Park, maintaining her regular pace, and then resuming them and overcoming them along the Ponte della Libertà to the final walkway that led her to finish at the finish line in Riva Sette Martiri with an excellent time of 2h09'12 ”. The other favorites, who had raced with the blue for a long time: 2h31'17 "for the Kenyan Marion Kibor, second clearly behind; 2h33'50 "for the Ethiopian Megertu Geletu third.
It was since 1999 (Sonia Maccioni) that an Italian had not climbed the highest hail of the podium of the Venicemarathon, while in the men's field the last victory in the Azzurri dates back to 2017 thanks to Eyob Faniel.
The men's 'crazy' race: after passing the half marathon in a quick 1h03'58 ", the trio of favorite athletes, made up of Kenyans Justus Kangogo, Geoffrey Yegon and Gilbert Chumba, first fell apart and then lost inertia, allowing the incredible return of the fourth compatriot, Anderson Seroi. The Kenyan athlete, who had already lost contact after a few kilometers from the first and was over a minute late at 'half', put in place a crazy comeback on the Ponte Della Libertà, and then overtook the treads on the bridges at almost double speed. from Venice. Andreson Seroi finished at the Riva Sette Martiri finishing line in 2h12’21 ", improving his previous record by almost a minute and a half. In second place came Julius Kangogo (2h13'34 ") and third Gilbert Chumba (2h13'55") who thus returned to the podium after the second place in 2018. Fourth, with a test of great depth, the blue Marco Salami ( 2h14'57 ") at the debut in the specialty. The 36-year-old athlete of the CS Army followed by Piero Incalza, on his debut in the specialty, was good at maintaining a steady pace throughout the race, finishing not far from the leaders and showing excellent room for improvement.
The VM10K have crowned two promising youngsters. Among the men, Andrea Mason of Silca Ultralite Vittorio Veneto won, who with 35'13 "tamed the competition of the favorite Pietro Sartore (Atl. Vicentina, 35'22") and Stefano Ghenda of Trevisatletica (35'52 " ).
Among women, the triumph of the 'daughter of art' Chiara Pizzolato. The 19-year-old from Atletica Vicentina, daughter of the great marathon runner Orlando Pizzolato (winner twice in the New York Marathon and at the Venicemarathon in 1988) ran a solo race, reaching the finish line in 39'50 ", with a large margin over her opponents. Elisa Commisso (Aristide Coin Venice) finished second in 40'28 ", while third place went to Sharon Giammetta (Biotekna Marcon) in 41'12".

2019

The Ethiopian Lencho Tesfave Anbesa and the Kenian Judith Korir cross the finish line of Riva Sette Martiri and win the 34th Huawei Venicemarathon in 2h10’49” and 2h29’20”.
In the men race, the 8 African runners were first from the start and passed the half marathon distance in 1h04’55”. Then, the group ran together until the 35th km. Anbesa spent his energies well and he left the other runners in the last part of the race. After some difficulties on the bridges, he finished in 2h10’49”. It is his personal best. At the second and third place, the Kenian athletes Henry Kiprop and Andrew Ben Kimtai. The first Italian athlete who croddes the finish line is Said Boudalia, who established the M50 national record.
For the women race, Judith Korir had a great race, pulled the other athletes ahead, finishing in 2h29’20”. The second place is of Cyntia Jerop and the Ethiopian Meka Wake. The first Italian woman who crossed the finish line is Cecilia Flori.


2018
Ethiopian Mekuant Gebre and Kenyan Angela Tanui braved the high tide, a strong headwind and driving rain to win the 33rd Huawei Venicemarathon on Sunday.
In the worst conditions ever for the event, Gebre beat out a bunch of Kenyans to win the men’s event in 2h13:13 hours. Tanui, the heavy favourite, dominated the women’s event in 2h31:30 hours.
Despite the strong headwind and the heavy rain along most of the course, the runners entered Venice with promising projected final times: 2h09 hours for Gebre and 2h26:30 for Tanui.
The high tide along the final stretch inside Venice, which forced to close a flooded St. Mark’s square, caused the runners to wade through inches of water on the Giudecca waterfront and on sections of the final stride on Riva Sette Martiri, killing chances of a fast final time.
When Gebre came through there was about one inch of water, but when Tanui arrived the high tide had brought it to about three inches. With great splashes they made it to the finish.
Gebre ran most of the race together with several Kenyans, who gradually lost contact with this lone Ethiopian. He broke away after 35 kilometers, edging Kenyans Gilbert Chumba, second at 2h13:52, and Stephen Kiplimo, third at 2h13:58.
Japanese star Yuki Kawauchi, the winner of the Boston marathon this year, was seventh at 2h27:43.
Tanui dominated the women’s race with a margin of over seven minutes. Ethiopian Sorome Amente was second at 2h38:59 and another Kenyan, Euliter Tanui, third at 2h40:56.
2017
Eyob Faniel wins the 32nd Huawei Venicemarathon! The Venicemarathon Club athlete with a great performance (2h12'16", more than 3 minutes less than his previous personal best) is first at the finish in Venice, on Riva Sette Martiri. The race started as expected with Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes leading the race, and the group with Eyob Faniel trailing by less than a minute. Shortly before entering Venice, however, the head group with the Kenyans Chumba, Kipkemei Mutai and Metto and the Ethiopian Dawud unfortunately took the wrong course, following the lead bikes who could not enter the city, and losing at the end about 2 minutes. Eyob Faniel found himself in the lead along with the Eritrean Mohammed Mussa, who lost ground in the final stages inside Venice. Second and third respectively were Mussa (2h15'14 ") and Moroccan Tariq Bamaarouf (2h16'41"). It was 22 years since the previous win by an Italian, the 1995 triumph by Danilo Goffi in 2h09'26 ". Sule Utura Gedo dominated the women’s event in 2h29'04 ", improving her personal record by more than 5 minutes. A far second was Kenyan Priscah Jepeting Cherono (2h41'08 ") and third Aynalem Woldemichael (2h42'12"). With this victory, Ethiopia leads with 5 women's successes in Venicemarathon's history. In the Garmin 10 K, the winners were Natascia Meneghini (third consecutive victory) among the women, and Simone Gobbo for the men.
2016
Historical double for the Kenyan Julius Chepkwony Rotich. His compatriot Priscah Jepeting Cherono triumphed in the women’s event.
Kenya dominated the 31st VeniceMarathon with the victories of Julius Chepkwony Rotich (2h10'25") among the men and Priscah Jepeting Cherono (2h27'41") among the women.
A historical double for Rotich, who also won in 2015, matching Italian Salvatore Bettiol (victories in 1986 and 1987) and Kenyan compatriot Jonathan Kosgei Kipkorir (2006 and 2007). The race was from the very first kilometers a duel between African athletes, well led by Bernard Kiplagat Bett (1h04'19" after the first half). Shortly after the 25K mark, Rotich increased the pace together with his compatriot Titus Masai Kwemoi. The two athletes continued paired up to the 35th km, when on the Liberty Bridge Rotich pulled ahead in a decisive push, going on to his second consecutive victory in Riva Sette Martiri. Second was the Ethiopian Adugna Chala Bekele (2h13'51"), who in the last kilometers moved ahead of an exhausted Masai, third in 2h15'34". Sixth, and first of the Italians, Massimiliano Strappato (2h26'31").
Among the women, Priscah Jepeting Cherono ran a solo race from the very 5th km. Her pace was fast and very regular (1h13'48" at half marathon) to the finish with the excellent time of 2:27.41, her personal record and fourth best ever for VeniceMarathon. Second, far behind, her compatriot Esther Wanjiru Macharia (2h35'15"), with the Italian Ivana Iozzia third in 2h37'04".
With the victories of Rotich and Cherono, Kenya reached 25 victories in Venice.
In the 10K valid for the Garmin Tour, victories for Diego Avon and Natascia Meneghini, who both repeated their successes of last year.
2015
Another African domination in the 30th VeniceMarathon, with the victories of the Kenyan Julius Chepkwony Rotich (2h11'08") among men and of the Ethiopian Ehite Bizuayehu Gebireyes (2h35'19") among women. The men's race was from the first kilometers an affair for African runners, well headed by Cornelius Kangogo (half marathon in 1h04'54"). Just after the 30th km, at the exit from the San Giuliano Park, Rotich carried a decisive attack with compatriot Robert Ndiwa, on the Ponte della Libertà. Rotich continued on a solitary run, winning in 2h11'08", with a wide margin over Ndiwa, second (2h13'16"). Third another Kenyan, Emmanuel Sikuku (2h15'22"). The women's race was open all the way and ended with a thrilling final sprint which rewarded the Ethiopian Ehite Gebireyes (2h35'19"), who edged her compatriot Derbe Godana Gebissa (2h35'21"). Third Kenyan Caroline Chepkwony (2h35'49"). The race seemed to be decided at the 41st km, in St. Mark’s square, when Gebissa outpaced Chepkwony and then Gebireyes. The latter , however, had a strong comeback over the last two bridges and passed her compatriot in the final strides of a very long sprint. With the victories of Rotich and Gebireyes, Kenya and Ethiopia respectively move up to 23 and 8 wins in the VeniceMarathon. The handbike race was run over the distance of 30 km. The victory went to Mirco Bressanelli with 53:10, but the news is the second place overall (and first among women) of repeated Paraolympic champion Francesca Porcellato (54:42).
2014
Once again it’s an African domain at the 29th VeniceMarathon, with the victories of the Ethiopians Ketema Mamo among men (2h16'45") and Konjit Biruk (2h40'20") among women. Great race of the Italian Giovanni Gualdi, second among men in 2h18'40" after a thrilling comeback. The men's race featured a strong start by the Africans, well led by Mamo and Kenyan Robert Ndiwa. At halfway Mamo and Ndiwa increased the pace, pulling away from the other African runners. Once Ndiwa stopped, Mamo went on alone winning with a good margin. Third at the finish the Kenyan Weldon Korir (2h19'34") who edged in the sprint Rwandan Jean Baptiste Simukeka (2h19'39"). Among the women, from the very start Biruk and compatriot Motu Gedefa set the pace running together over 25 kms. At that point, Biruk moved ahead and went on to win with Gedefa a distant second (2h52'19"). Third Croatian Nikolina Sustic (2h55'52"). Fourth, and the first Italian, the Venetian Maurizia Cunico (Vicenza Marathon) in 2h57'37". With this double victory, Ethiopia moves up to seven wins at the Venice Marathon (4 male and 3 female), behind Kenya (22 hits: 12 male and 10 female) and Italy with 18 (7 men and 11 women).
2013
Africa extended its triumphs in the 28th VeniceMarathon, with the victories of Kenyans Nixon Machichim among men (2h13'10") and Mercy Jerotich Kibarus (2h31'01") among women. Flashes of “azzurro”, however, with the performance of the Italian Andrea Lalli, who on his debut over the distance was capable of an excellent third place in 2h14'26". The athlete of the Guardia di Finanza managed to stay in the lead group for 30 kms, when on the Liberty Bridge a Kenyan trio of Kwemoi Titus Masai, Raymond Kiplagat and Machichim moved ahead. The latter managed to beat Kiplagat (2h13’11") only after a tight sprint, while Lalli was able to move ahead of an exhausted Masai in the last kilometers. Among the women, the race was decided shortly after the halfway, when Kibarus led a decisive attack, outpacing the Ethiopians Halima Hussen Kayo and Sosena Tekle Gezaw, who finished in 2h38’49” and 2h42'29". Fifth, and the first Italian, Ambra Vecchiato in 2h48'16". Paraolympic and World champion Alex Zanardi of Italy led his handbike to triumph with a time of 1h11’45".
2012
Rain, wind and high tide didn’t stop the 27th VeniceMarathon that crowned the Kenyan Philemon Kipchumba Kisang for the men and the Ethiopian Emebt Etea Bedada for the women, winners of the race with 2h17'00" and 2h38'11". The men’s race was off to a modest pace because of the weather and a strong headwind. The decisive attack came on the 35th kilometer, when Kisang broke away from the pack and went on to win over his compatriots Titus Masai Kwemoi, at his marathon debut (2h18’21"), and Elija Karanja (2h19'41"). Excellent fourth place, at just one step from the podium, for Domenico Ricatti of Italy (2h19'43"). Among the women, it was a matter between Ethiopians: Emebt Etea Bedada won with a time of 2h38'11", outdistancing Helima Hassen Beriso (2h48'32") and Fantu Eticha Jimma (third also in the 2011edition) in 2h50'48". Good fourth place for Monica Carlin with a time of 2h54'13". Yet another victorious run for Alessandro Zanardi of Italy who drove to the finish line the young Eric Fontanari, a quadriplegic boy .
2011
For the first time the VeniceMarathon course went through St. Mark's Square. The course was new and new was the race record set by the Kenyan Helena Kirop, who won the women's race in her personal best of 2h23'37'' breaking the previous record of 2h27'02'' held by compatriot Lenah Cheruiyot. Behind her the Ethiopians Makda Haji, 2010 VeniceMarathon winner, at 2h27’30'' and Fantu Eticha Jimma at 2h30'25".
The men's race was decided right in St. Mark's Square and this new passage decided the winner. Athletes were quite fast. The half marathon time was 1h04'17'' but the fight began after the 30th km and St. Mark's saw the Ethiopian Tolesa Tadese Aredo and the Kenyan Simon Mukun side by side. From there on Aredo changed pace and left Mukun behind, to win in 2h09'13''. Second was Mukun, last year’s winner, in 2h09'18'' and third the Ethiopian Debebe Wolde 2h09'56''.
2010
The men’s race was off to a fast pace, with several African athletes in a quick lead. The winner was Kenyan Simon Kamana Mukun (2h09′35″), after fellow Kenyan Sahle Warga Betona slipped and fell in the final stages and finished second in 2h09'48". Third place for another athlete from Kenya, Peter Muriuki Nderitu in 2h10'52".
It was an Italian championship race and Migidio Bourifa won the Italian title after the withdrawal of Danilo Goffi at the 30th km.
The women's race recorded the first victory ever for an Ethiopian athlete: Makda Harun Haji won with a final time of 2h28′08″, ahead of Kenyan Elizabeth Chemweno (2h29′21″) and Russian Elena Ruhliada (2h30′41″). Marcella Mancini (6th overall) won the Italian title in 2h37′23″. Unfortunately, the high tide prevented the passage through a flooded St. Mark’s square.
2009
In a sunny and still warm autumn day John Komen set the new race record in 2h08′13″, breaking the previous record of 2h08′49″ by David Makori (both Kenyans), while Anne Kosgei, also a Kenyan, finally broke the spell that relegated her to the second place several times and won the race with a new personal best of 2h27′46″.
In the wheelchair race Alex Zanardi obtained the first career victory with the excellent time of 1h13′56″.
The women's race, which started 9 minutes ahead of the men, lived on the challenge between Kosgei and the Ethiopian Yal Koren up to the San Giuliano park, when Kosgei led a decisive attack. Behind Koren (second in 2h28′41″) came Alena Samokhvalova of Russia, thanks to a very fast pace in the last few miles (her final time was 2h 28′47″, just a whiff away from second place). In the men's race Komen stayed well hidden in the lead group until the 35th kilometer, then made his move and gradually increased his lead over the 14 bridges in Venice. Behind him were fellow Kenyans Paul Samoei (2h10′09″) and Benson Cherono (2h10′19″).
Alex Zanardi of Italy crowned his presence at the VeniceMarathon winning in the hand bike event.
2008
VeniceMarathon spoke Kenyan once again! Joseph Lomala took first place of the 23rd edition in 2h11'06'', winning an exciting final rush with his teammate Jacobs Chesire (2h11'07''). Third place for the Ethiopian Kidane Abdi (2h11'57'').
In the women's race the Hungarian Aniko Kalovics, the heavy favorite, won in 2h31’24’'. Behind her the Kenyans Anne Kosgei, second in 2h32'21'', while Florence Chepkurui was third in 2h35'09". The Hungarian stopped a string of six consecutive African wins.
The 2008 VeniceMarathon set a demanding effort for the organizers in Punta della Dogana, where the athletes were obliged to run inside a covered 160 mt long tunnel because of renovation works on location.
2007
For the first time in 22 years of VeniceMarathon, both winners repeated their success from the previous year. The men's race was rather slow, because the lead pack stayed together hoping to stop heavy favorite Jonathan Kipkorir Kosgei. He controlled his opponents from the beginning to the end, finishing the race in 2h12'27'' and preceeding Philemon Tarbei, second in 2h12’49", and Richard Mutai, third in 2h13’31". All three were Kenyans. Lenah Cheruiyot won the women's race with a record time of 2h27'02''. Second place for her Kenyan compatriot Anne Kosgei in 2h28'27" and third place for the Italian Ivana Iozzia in 2h34'52".
2006
The 2006 edition was rich in innovations: the start was moved from downtown Stra back in front of the historic Villa Pisani, its original starting place, and the course between the 25th and the 35th kilometer was completely redesigned so the runners could move through the San Giuliano Park, the second largest park in Europe. Many lead Italian runners vowed to try to stop the foreign dominance of the marathon. The Italians started an aggressive pace up to the park. On the Liberty Bridge the top runners were still together, but in the final stages Italy’s Alberigo Di Cecco and Jonathan Kipkorir Kosgei of Kenya broke away. The Kenyan went on to win in 2h10’18”, with Di Cecco and Paul Lokira in second (2h10’21”) and third place (2h11’00"). The women's race featured a marathon legend: Tegla Lourupe, trying a comeback after a long absence because of an accident. She had a very strong start but she faded near the San Giuliano Park and fellow Kenyan Lenah Cheruiyot passed her enroute to victory in 2h33’44”. Loroupe second in 2h35’50” and Ivana Iozzia of Italy third in 2h36’13".
2005
In the 20th anniversary of the VeniceMarathon the main feature was an unusual fog. It was not enough to stop the 6,400 runners and the 200,000 spectators. Unaffected was also a Kenyan with a Qatar passport, Mubarak Hassan Shami, who arrived in Riva Sette Martiri in 2h09'22''. He won the VeniceMarathon and at the same time the World Military Championship. The dream of victory for Italian Francesco Ingargiola was shattered on the Ponte della Libertà where was in the lead, but then eventually passed by Shami and Paul Lokira of Kenya. Lokira with 2h10’18" and Ingargiola 2h10’25". In the women’s race Emily Kimurìa of Kenya won in 2h28'42',second best result of Venice Marathon. She outpaced the Ethiopian Leila Aman (2h31’10”) and Helena Javornik from Slovenia (2h32’13”).
2004
Italian Danilo Goffi was back again, nine years after his win in Venice. The policeman wanted to match fellow Italian Salvatore Bettiol, the only runner so far to win VeniceMarathon twice. Goffi led the race with the top athletes up to the Ponte della Libertà, when he and the Kenyan Raymond Kipkoech broke away from the others and engaged in a spectacular sprint to the finish. Kipkoech 2h09’54" and Goffi half a step behind in 2h09’55”. Another Kenyan, Laban Kipngetich, was third in 2h11’36”. In the women’s race the Kenyan Jane Ekimat won by a wide margin in 2h32’08" over Giovanna Volpato of Italy (2h33’57”) and Sisai Measso of Ethiopia (2h36’51").
2003
France defeated Italy and Kenya at the 18th VeniceMarathon. A well deserved success at his first marathon for El Hassan Lasshini, a Moroccan-born Frenchman, who crossed the finish line first in 2h11'01''. With a great comeback, Italian Sergio Chiesa passed Kenyans Ibrahim Mitei (2h11’36") and Paul Kanda (2h11’53") in the final stretch to place second in 2h11'30''. In the women’s race Ornella Ferrara of Italy failed to repeat her 1994 win. She crossed the finish line in third position (2h31’48"). She was defeated by Kenyans Anne Jelegat in 2h30’16’’, and Caroline Cheptanui in 2h30'22" .
2002
The record of the men's race set by Danilo Goffi in 1995 was broken. Once again a Kenyan triumphed at the VeniceMarathon, and in a new record time . David Makori won the race in 2h08’49'' on a sunny day. He beat fellow Kenyan Martin Lel, second in 2h10’02”, and the Ethiopian Moges Taye, third in 2h10’06”. In the women’s race yet another Kenyan victory. Anastasha Ndereba won in 2h29’03" over her compatriot Anna Kosgei in 2h30’09”. Third was Italy’s Lucilla Andreucci in 2h32’48".
2001
The 16th Venicemarathon was once again dominated by foreign runners. The new winner was Moges Taye, from Ethiopia, who won the race in 2h10'08'', beating in the final 100 meters Kenyan Henry Tarus, who finished just 2 seconds behind (2h10'10''). Italian Daniele Caimmi finished third in 2h10'26'', which represented his new personal best. The elite runners started the race at a very fast pace: after 15 Km the final projected time was 2h07'. In the final part of the race - where athletes have to go over 14 bridges before the finish in Riva dei Sette Martiri - Taye and Tarus ran alone. Caimmi tried to come back after the 30th Km, but the two Africans were just too fast. In the women's race, French Zaia Dahmani won in 2h33'32''. The French athlete increased her pace after the 21st Km and reached the finish line in perfect loneliness, outpacing Italians Monia Capelli, second in 2h34’57’', and Francesca Zanusso, from Venice, third in 2h35’54".
2000
This edition introduced pacemakers to help runners achieve their time goal and try to set their personal best. A special emphasis was for the 26 runners who have been in all of the first 15 editions of VeniceMarathon. It was a nice sunny day, unlike last year’s rain. The Kenyan runners were heavy favorites and they kept their role. John Bungei won in 2h09'50", followed closely by fellow countryman Isaac Kiprono in 2h10'09". Roberto Barbi of Italy, second last year, was third this time in 2h10'12". Ruth Kutol, also a Kenyan and for the first time in Venice, set a new race record in winning the women’s event with a time of 2h28'16". Lucilla Andreucci of Italy, winner in 1998, was second in 2h31'29" and Monia Capelli, also from Italy, third in 2h35'59".
1999
The winner was another athlete from Kenya, Julius Bitok, in 2h10’34'' who edged his compatriot Mark Sainah, second in 2h10'44". The first 12 men (7 of whom were Italians) were timed in less than 2h15'00''. In third place with 2h11’23" was Roberto Barbi, who became Italian Champion. Sonia Maccioni won the women’s race to become the new Italian Champion, with the excellent time of 2h29’11’'. Edate Gadissay of Ethiopia was second in 2h29’57" and another Italian, Bruna Genovese, third in 2h31’06".
1998
Japhet Kosgei was the first athlete from Kenya to win the men’s race at the VeniceMarathon. Starting from the 30th Km, Kosgei braved a rainy day to go out and finish in 2h11'27'', followed by Daniele Caimmi of Italy in 2h12’41". Another Kenyan, Luke Kibet, was third in 2h12’55”. Lucilla Andreucci of Italy, running her first marathon, was a surprise winner among the women, with the time of 2h30’34". Judith Nagy of Hungary was second in 2h31’35" and Silvana Trampuz of Italy third in 2h36’13".
1997
Antonio Serrano became the first Spanish athlete to triumph in Venice. He stayed with the lead group up to the 27th Km, then, after Ponte della Libertà, he started his final sprint and arrived alone at the finish in Riva Sette Martiri in 2h11’59". Amnaay Bayo of Tanzania was second in 2h12’12"and Kenyan Daniel Kirwa Too third in 2h13’28”. Irina Kazakova won the women’s race in 2h33'44". She was born in Belarus but now a French citizen. Gigliola Borghini of Italy second in 2h38’05" and Irina Jagodina of Ukraine third in 2h40’49". This was the last edition organized by Piero Rosa Salva, the founder of VeniceMarathon.
1996
The finish was moved forward to Riva dei Sette Martiri, next to the Gardens of the Biennale, to accomodate a larger number of runners. The new location provided the athletes and the growing number of their relatives with a wider area to meet and rest at the end of the race. North-African athletes dominated the men’s race. Algerian Sid-Ali Sakhri was first in 2h11’11" and Moroccan Abdelkader El-Mouaziz second in 2h11'26". Sakhri's triumph was not an easy one though. After the Ponte della Libertà, the lead group was Sakhri, Vincenzo Modica (Italy), El-Mouaziz and Charles Tangus (Kenya). Inside the Venice port area Tangus fell behind. Then Modica “(third in 2h11’39”) surrendered at the Zattere waterfront, while El-Mouaziz lost contact at the end of the pontoon bridge. Yelena Mazovka, from Belarus, won the women’s race in 2h31’07’'. Two Italians were far behind: Rosanna Munerotto second in 2h34'13” and Nives Curti third in 2h38’30”.
1995
The 6,000 registration limit was no longer enough. The organization stopped registrations at 7,325, refusing another 500 applications. It was time to set up an adequate finish area for the future editions. The 10th marathon was bound to be remembered for a long time. Exposport was held in a large section of the Port of Venice and saw 60,000 visitors. The competition was full of records. Many promising young athletes emerged during the race, and Danilo Goffi of Italy triumphed by running in 2h09'26'', a new VeniceMarathon record. Another Italian, Giacomo Leone, was second in 2h09'34". Third was Grzegorz Gajdus of Poland in 2h10’06". Maura Viceconte, also from Italy, won in 2h29'11'', yet another race record for the women. Fellow Italian Laura Fogli was second in 2h37’21"and Britain’s Sally Goldsmith third in 2h37’29".
1994
For the first time, the organization set a maximum limit to the registrations for the marathon, as Venice, with its narrow bridges and limited arrival area, could bear the high number of participants that other international marathons have. At the start were athletes who had won altogether 12 marathons worldwide in the last 4 years. Tena Negere, a 22-year-old soldier from Ethiopia, took the lead around the 30th Km and went on to win in 2h10’50" an exciting race with 20 male runners completing the marathon in less than 2h15’00''. Another Ethiopian, Belaineh Tadess, was second in 2h11’30" and Rodrigo Gavela of Spain third in 2h11’34”. Ornella Ferrara led an Italian triumph for the women in 2h32’16’' with Emma Scaunich second in 2h37’27”. Maria Vilesova of Russia was third in 2h37’29".
1993
Venicemarathon rejected commercial sponsorship to promote UNICEF. Brazilian Arthur de Freitas Castro was the favourite, and he confirmed his role by winning in the record time of 2h10'06". But the "old lion" Salvatore Bettiol, the winner in 1986 and 1987, battled with Castro until the end, outpaced by the Brazilian only over the last few stages of the event. He was second in 2h11’44” and Portugal’s Paulo Catarino third in 2h14’28”. After seven years of Italian successes, the first foreign women to win was Slovenian Helena Javornik in 2h37’27’'. Rake Maraoui of Morocco was second in 2h40’18" and Sylvie Saville of France third in 2h41’44".
1992
Venicemarathon had a prestigious course, with the finish near St. Mark’s square, which guaranteed a great international attention. Italy’s Olympic champion Gelindo Bordin had agreed to run for some kilometers only, but then, full of enthusiasm, he decided to complete the whole course together with friends and passionate runners, who were obviously excited to run the marathon side by side with him. Heavy favorite Francesco Panetta of Italy led the race for most of the way, but he had to stop after Ponte della Libertà because of the pain from an ailing knee. So the Portuguese Joaquim Pinheiro went on to win in 2h13'33", the first foreign athlete to triumph in Venice. Gabriel Kamau of Kenya was second in 2h14’30” and Alcidio Costa of Portugal third in 2h14’48”. Emma Scaunich of Italy was first among the women in 2h35’06”, thus repeating her triumph from three years earlier and becoming the first female double winner of the event. Sylvie Saville of France was second in 2h42’14” and Fatima Neves of Portugal third in 2h46’53".
1991
There was a sensational change in the course this year. For the first time, the organization was allowed to cross the Grand Canal from the old finish area in Punta della Dogana. A floating bridge of barges was set up over the Grand Canal to carry the runners to St. Mark’s waterfront up to the finish in Ca' di Dio. Carlo Terzer was a very respectable veteran. At 35, and he was the Italian marathon champion just two years before. He managed to outpace a group of competitors inside Venice and win in 2h14'49". Filemon Lopez of Mexico was second in 2h17’29" and Alfredo Shahanga of Tanzania third in 2h17’52”. Antonella Bizioli was the winner among the women for another Italian triumph. She finished in 2h36’56" ahead of Sally Goldsmith of Britain (2h45’35”) and Polina Grigorenko of Russia (2h47’54”). For the first time the marathon organized its own Exposport, with the amazing result of over 15,000 people attending.
1990
Olympic Champion Gelindo Bordin of Italy had already won the marathons in Boston and Split (a European championship event) and he was determined to prove it was possible to win more than two big marathons in a year. During the competition, Francesco Panetta of Italy ran side by side with Bordin for 20Ks as a pacer. Then Bordin continued alone towards the finish line, which this time was located in Campo Sant’Agnese. He won in 2h13’41” ahead of fellow Italians Carlo Terzer (2h15’38”) and Francesco Fauci (2h15’39”). Laura Fogli completed the Italian triumph winning the women’s race in 2h38'33", followed by Yugoslavs Suzana Ciric (2h38’48") e Jelena Jovicic (2h42’21").
1989
This edition of the Venicemarathon was a race for the Italian national championship, in recognition of the growing importance of the event. A strong northern wind affected the competition, creating severe problems to the runners. As a consequence, a large group of athletes ran together for most of the distance, and left it to a final sprint to determine the winners and who would become the Italian male and female champions. Marco Milani of Italy dominated the men’s sprint in 2h16’08" with Russian Alexander Khlynin second in 2h16’16" and Hungary’s Jyula Borica third in 2h16’28”. Another Italian, Emma Scaunich, won the women’s race in 2h36’02" with Zoja Gavriluk of Russia second in 2h36’42" and Suzana Ciric of Yugoslavia third in 2h40'29".
1988
AIMS measured the course, which was the same as last year, and confirmed all was correct. There had been some criticism because of the excellent winning time in 1987. The number of registered runners increased notably, and more and more were foreigners, as the event attracted people from around the world. Orlando Pizzolato of Italy, a star after his two triumphs in New York, said he just wanted to run the marathon as a test to train for a third win in New York, but he took command from the very start and he moved on to an exciting triumph in 2h15'24". He himself called his race "a happy madness." Osvaldo Faustini of Italy was second in 2h15’33" and Eddy Hellebuyck of Belgium third in 2h15’41”. Graziella Striuli took the women’s event in 2h39’04’' beating fellow Italians Rita Marchisio (2h42’15”) and Annamaria Garelli (2h47’31”).
1987
The course changed and became even more fascinating. The start was again in Stra like the previous year, but, once in Venice, the runners continued through the historic center along the Giudecca Canal waterfront to the finish line near the Basilica della Salute on the Grand Canal. At the "Zattere" the runners became familiar with a typical Venetian event: high tide waters. It was very minor so nothing to really worry about, but it gave the marathon another unusual touch and the runners liked splashing through the water over the last kilometer. Salvatore Bettiol became the first winner of two marathons, running in a record time of 2h10’01”, outpacing fellow Italians Davide Bergamini (2h11’09”) and Piermariano Penone (2h14’41”). Another Italian trio dominated the women’s race. The winner was Rita Marchisio in 2h29’36” ahead of Maria Curatolo (2h30’15”) and Emma Scaunich (2h31’19”) .
1986
Venice, the city of art, culture and romance, hosted the first edition of a Marathon, an unprecedented sport event in the history of the city. From the banks of the Brenta river at Stra, the start of the race, to the finish at Campo Santi Apostoli, in the working-class district of Cannaregio, one of the most picturesque of the city, large crowds of spectators welcomed this unusual show of the runners moving along. Everything was unique: the scenic course, the organizational machinery supporting the runners, the exciting arrival in Venice, where not only cars are banned, but jogging was outlawed until recent days. The organizers had overcome a static bureaucracy and many natural problems for this incredible debut. The winners were all Italians. Young Salvatore Bettiol won the men's event in 2h18’44" outpacing Alberto Luccherini (2h27’10”) and Alfio Ciceri (2h27’49”). Paola Moro took the women’s competition in 2h38’10" with Antonella Bizioli second in 2h46’37" and Anna Villani third in 2h48'13" .