The Italian Masters will host the European Track & Field Championships this year spread over three adjoining areas along the Adriatic coast in Lido de Jesolo, Caorle and Eraclea, from 5-15 September.
During the recent prestigious IAAF Diamond League in Rome on 6 June, Italiana Atletics put on a number of Masters track events, including a Masters mile. Shortly after competing in the 1992 IAAF World Junior Championships in Seoul, Davide Raineri from the Lombard region of Italy took a 20 year break from the sport, but now aged 46 he is back. In the mile race a 37-year old pacemaker took the field through the first 800m in 2.07.09 setting Raineri up for a serious attempt on the current World M45 4.16.09sec record held by Tony Young, USA, since 2008. Raineri crossed the line in 4.13.96sec for a new World mark, subject to ratification. Some distance back was M40 Francesco Nadalutti for 2nd in 4.29.37sec and the only non-Italian in the field, 51-year old Moroccan Hassan El Azzouzi ran a brilliant 4.41.43sec for 5th place. The women’s mile was won by 49-year old Alessandra Lena in 5.31.81sec.
Bridget Cushen
