Rome European Championships: Italian double in men’s half marathon
Europeans in Rome: Italian double in men’s half marathon
The morning of the third day of the European Championships in Rome also opened triumphantly for Italy. Yemaneberhan Crippa won the gold medal on the21 km and change of the half marathon and Pietro Riva the silver medal.
One hour, one minute and three seconds was the time of the 27-year-old Ethiopian-born and Trentino transplant, one second ahead of his compatriot and Alba native. The bronze è went, four seconds behind, è to German Amanal Petros. Sixth, eighth and tenth were the other Azzurri Pasquale Selvarolo, Eyob Faniel and Yohanes Chiappinelli. Italy ’è to a quota of 6 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze.
“I was super excited to run here in Rome, I am very happy. To reconfirm the gold è was tough, both because of the weather and the nervousness, I had a slight discomfort in my side but I am glad I brought it home and now we move on,” Crippa said. “Convinced about the choice of the road? Yes, now I hope to talk about a great performance at the Olympics as well and do a marathon that might be within my reach. The results made us realize that we had to wake up, that those who canò bring home medals could not go wrong. The medals from the other days incite you, but they also give some of the right pressure", he continued.
“The most beautiful moment of my career, I was beaten by a great friend and I am happy that it was him who won,” Riva added.
I did not expect second place, I knew that I am better on the road than on the track, during the race I felt great and at the end I told myself to go for the medal. When you have Stefano Baldini as your guide something jumps out", concludes the Italian.
In the corresponding women’s race triumph of Norwegian Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal, beaten by Nadia Battocletti in the 5000. 1h08’09” the Scandinavian’s time, 46 and 49 seconds ahead of Romania’s Joan Chelimo Melly, silver, and Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery, bronze. Best of the Italian women Elisa Palmeo, 15th.
