Ait Hassain and Christandl win "Sarnonico in corsa"

A splendid sunny day set the scene for the 15th edition of “Sarnonico in corsa,” the big running celebration that once again brought hundreds of athletes to Val di Non. They came to compete in seven youth categories, seven masters categories, and the senior division. More than 350 runners enjoyed the day, some racing without pressure and others keeping an eye on the overall standings of the “Stadt- und Dorfläufe” circuit. The race, organized by Fondisti Alta Val di Non, was the seventh and next-to-last round after Sarentino, Vila di Sopra, Brunico, Malles, Glorenza, and San Valentino alla Muta. The circuit concludes with the Villabassa race on October 3.

The Minicuccioli were first into action. Vanessa Felicetti and Riccardo Mozzi won the Cuccioli races; Amelie Wieser and Samuele Aiardi the Esordienti; Maya Martinelli and Elias Tratter the Ragazzi; Carolin Unterhuber and Johannes Rungger the Cadetti; and Vivienne Walter and Chey Riccardo Hy the Allievi. The main race brought together about 150 runners from the senior, junior, and masters divisions. They covered 5.3 kilometers with 100 meters of elevation gain on a course that ran between central Sarnonico and the Pradiei, touching the municipalities of Cavareno and Romeno.

Rachid Ait Hassain, born in 2001, took the men’s win. He arrived in Italy two years ago, lives in Trento, and represents U.S. Baitona. Last year he finished second behind record holder Luca Boninsegna. His 17’44"9 brought the Moroccan close to that mark but left him 13 seconds short of it. He dominated the race, finishing 12"7 ahead of Yuri Trentin of Sterzing. The contest for silver and bronze was closer and was decided in the final kilometer, with Hannes Rungger of Sarntal completing the podium ahead of 800-meter runner Valentino Melle of Bozen Raiffeisen. Mirko Tomasi of 5 Stelle Seregnano was the top runner from Trentino, and his club won the team standings.

Selina Christandl of Laatsch-Taufers claimed an equally comfortable women’s victory in 19’58"2, a new record for the “Sarnonico Run,” formerly the “Ciaminada Nonesa.” The circuit’s leading athlete, who has now won every race in the 2026 “Stadt- und Dorfläufe,” did not build a large early lead but remained in control throughout. The second- and third-place runners closed in on the descents and lost ground again on the climbs. Christandl’s time improved on the mark set by Lisa Leuprecht in 2023. Tanja Scrizi of Eisacktal finished 20 seconds behind the winner, while local runner Giulia Franchi edged Elektra Bonvecchio for bronze and set her best time in this race, 1’00"9.

After the races, the celebration continued at the Sarnonico Sports Center, the long-standing hub of the event, with a meal and the awards ceremony.