Lalli Brings Luster To Campaccio

The Italian is coming off a fantastic 2012 cross-country season.

Every year, the small city of San Giorgio su Legnano in Italy becomes home to hundreds of cross-country runners. They are there every January to race in Campaccio International Cross Country.

At this year’s event on January 6, hometown favorite Andrea Lalli of Italy will be hoping to defeat rival Thomas Longosiwa of Kenya.

Lalli prevailed at the recent European Cross-Country Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The field also has another pair of favorites: Italian Danielle Meucci and Kenyan Leonard Komon. Meucci is the owner of two European bronze medals in 2012.

Not to be overlooked in the men’s field is the 18-year-old Muktar Edri of Ethiopia.

But top runners aside, organizers have dealt with challenges pulling off this year’s edition.

“This year it was not easy to organize the race but, despite all difficulties, we managed to assemble a spectacular race with Sergio Meraviglia [the race’s general director],” remarked technical director Marcello Magnani. “The difficult economic situation, the budget and the post-Olympic year have made our job more difficult. It’s prestigious but at the same time expensive to invite Olympic medallists.”

For More: IAAF