Ten women and a relay of 430 km. “We run together for two days.”

More than just a race, it’s immersion in a new world of running and friendship. More than a relay race, it’s a challenge in which a group of ten people participate They must learn to fight and live together for about forty hours, some of which depend on each individual’s muscle strength.

Well, for the first time this year at Resia Rosolina Relay, between September 8th and 9th (starts Friday before dawn and arrives Saturday evening) There will also be a women-only team, the first all-female team at the event. The collection is mainly Venetian, but there are also Romanians and Milanese: from the lawyer to the decorator, passing through the young designer and the dentist. “We will run alone, day and night, carrying a message of independence, strength and freedom, a little healthy competition and a lot of sacrificial spirit and fun,” says their spokeswoman. Valentina Williamfrom Padua who works as an astrophysicist and journalist.

It will not be an easy challenge. Relay Recia Rosolina is indeed A stage race for teams of ten riders over a distance of approximately 430 kilometres, from the Adige origin in Resia to its mouth in Rosolina. Now in its fourth edition, it is among the longest relays in the world (in Oregon, in the US, there is an iconic race in this sense). Each runner runs four stages of about ten kilometers each, with rest periods between each stage.

«We know it will be a great adventure, but not an easy one – continues the spokeswoman of the group, which is made up of professionals from all sectors -. We women have heard disapproval from other women who say, “But how do we do it at night without a man?” Or I’ve even heard them say “And if something breaks, or if we have technical problems, how can we manage on our own?” Or even “Without a man, I don’t feel safe.” Their goal is charitable work, and they will collect money for Acisjf, which runs the Protection Home for Young Women in Verona, hosting single women and minors. Gugliemo Press. Psychological support project. Women are targeted as victims of domestic violence, often with minor children.

Her motives are the same as those of her fellow adventurers, who are currently participating in their own group training sessions before the race. Among them there Giulia Ricciotti, 32 years old dentist, a veteran of the competition, is the fourth time she has participated. “To call it a race would be an understatement,” he says. “It’s a journey taken on the run, where you live for three days in a world suspended, and you forget about the rest of the world.” Help yourself Elisabetta Rainieri, 54, runs a bed and breakfast“I like to think that being able to race in a group of women only can carry a beautiful message of equal opportunity and freedom.”

There is also Daniela Condello, 45 years old, from Milan, works for a communications agency. “I immediately loved the idea of ​​being part of an all-female group,” she says. Angelica, 60 years old In December, a former graphic designer, who was Roman: “I started running when I was about 45 and since then it’s become my great passion.” next to her here Joanna Tsildarakis. She is 55 years old and she is an interior designer. His strongest feelings? “I love the contrast between running alone, especially at night, and the team spirit that exalts me and gives me strength.” Also part of the group will be a 48-year-old lawyer who is also a veteran of racing and her name is Beatrice RigotiI run to remind myself that I am alone and in a group, no one can stop us. The same running experience also to Maria Giovanna “Marie Gio” Verdesca, 35 years old, She works for a company that deals with safety and the environment: «Today I’m adding another piece to my image: Running with and for women, which is a very powerful message about strength and independence. It is an honor for me to witness and represent this change.” Same reflections for the legal advisor, Silvia Masha is 47 years oldIt helps: “Running alone, but knowing that you are part of a group that supports you, helps, and with whom you share a goal: to push your limits and have fun.”

Finally, the smallest group is Beatrice Tovolito, 26 years oldUX/UI Designer from Treviso: “Unfortunately, my abilities as a woman have been questioned many times, I have often been told that without the help of a man I would not have succeeded. These stereotypes have always stuck with me. Being able to travel by jogging day and night, with a team of only women, never stopping, in the eyes of many may seem like a crazy idea, but I find it magical.”