Massimo Russo is a 50 year old trail runner. Until five years ago he was a pretty good road runner (2h35 marathon, 1h12 half marathon), then he discovered trail running, and fell in love with it! Now he only runs off road, from Africa to the Alps. Fortunately, he lives in a place that can be considered a paradise for trail running, and he deeply enjoys it!
§staticmap(7584,5,450,250)Hello, on May 8th 2011, you’ll be organizing the Elba Trail “Eleonoraxvincere”. Can you tell us where it is located?
The trail headquarters is in Marciana Marina, on the Elba Island (Tuscany); to get to Elba you have to get to Livourne, then Piombino and a ferry to Portoferraio (1 hour).
How old is the race and why was it created in the first place?
This is the 4th edition, and the event was created in memory of Eleonora Cinini, a young runner who died in an car accident 5 years ago; our goal is to raise funds for a non-profit organization, the Amici del Madagascar NGO.
All we earn with the event goes to the NGO that is completing a school complex in Madagascar.
The trail goes up and down Elba mountains, inside the territories of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park; there are wood trails, old military roads and single tracks.
The route allows the participants to enjoy a fantastic view on the whole archipelago, with several glimpses of incomparable beauty on the islands of Corsica, Capraia, Giglio, Pianosa and Montecristo.
How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
We are expecting for 300 runners, and the race is good for trail runners, or road runners who like nature.
We also offer a non competitive mini-trail race, about 12 km long.
At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
Well, in May Elba can be fantastic, with warm days and calm sea, but you know, it’s a matter of luck with the weather!
Have you planned festivities around the race?
Yes, at the end of the race there’ll be a great open air gourmet party, with music and a lottery.
The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Elba before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
Good food, of course, a friendly atmosphere, a unique bird’s eye view on the archipelago from the top of Monte Capanne, and the satisfaction to run for charity
There is no other way to stay in Elba for just 35 euros; infact, the entry fee (35 euros) includes the hotel accommodation, breakfast and the gourmet party on Sunday. And if you want to bring with you the family, each of them will pay just 10 euros.
For example you run (35 euro), your wife (10 euros) and your son (10 euros) enjoy the island, and the week end will cost just 55 euros. More nights? Ok, You can have the room just for 30 euros, and remember, all you pay will go to the NGO to help Madagascarian schoolboys.