The meadows of the province of Lecco, from Valsassina to Brianza, were the great protagonists of the Lombard FIDAL cross-country race this autumn. Three events that attracted the attention of fans of this specialty, ready to battle it out in the various race categories , from the smallest Beginners to the veteran Masters.

The first two major events concerned the Valsassina, especially the towns of Pasturo and Cortenova. The fifth edition of the Ambrogio Aliprandi Trophy was staged on Sunday 7 November, organized by Team Pasturo and which saw 500 athletes at the starting line. The men’s race on the 5.3 km course saw the success of Ionut Puiu, Juniores of Athletics Lecco Colombo Costruzioni, at the finish in 17’32”, while the 3.6 km women’s one awarded Deborah Oberle of Cus Insubria Varese -Como in 13’47”.

Two weeks later the focus shifted a few kilometers further north, on the occasion of the 23rd Cortenova Meeting. The event saw 650 athletes competing in the different categories. At stake not only the traditional youth trophy for provincial representatives, but also the absolute regional titles of short cross. As for the Cortenova Trophy, reserved for the Cadets and Boys categories, final victory for the provincial representative of Milan with the formation of the Como-Lecco Como-Lecco committee in fourth position. On an individual level, the regional title on the classic 3 km short cross distance went to Federico Maione of Multisport Cantù, stopping the clock at 9’10”. Female, on the same race track, victory for Erica Schiavi from Bergamo (Atl . Alta Valseriana) in 10’54”.

On the first Sunday of December, the meadows of the Lanfritto-Maggioni Sports Center in Cernusco Lombardone hosted the Regional Cross-Country Championships for the categories from Pupils to Seniors and the Provincial ones for all the others. Also in this case the participation in the event was nothing short of massive, with specialists from all over the region. In this case the party on the men’s 10 km track was an athlete from Brescia, Enrico Vecchi of Atletica Rodengo Saiano, at the finish line in 30’02”. 7 km course for women and first step of the podium for Nicole from Lecco Acerboni, competing for Bracco Milano, winner in 23’42”.

Claudio Zubani