by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: FVG councilor for local autonomies, Pierpaolo Roberti
As it reaches its 50th edition this Sunday, the Carsolina Cross is being recognized not only for its longevity but also for its steady growth in participation and community engagement, local officials said during a presentation on Monday at Palazzo Gopcevich.
Pierpaolo Roberti, the regional councillor for local autonomies, praised the event’s evolution, noting its increasing number of athletes and the expansion of related initiatives, including a charity walk supporting AIRC, the Italian Association for Cancer Research, and activities involving young people with disabilities. The event is organized by Asd SPoRT and Trieste Atletica Aps, with support from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the municipalities of Trieste and Sgonico.
From a competitive standpoint, this year’s race will serve as an important benchmark for selecting Italy’s national team for the 2025 European Cross Country Championships, scheduled for December 14 in Lagoa, Portugal.
The Carsolina Cross will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Prosecco airfield, opening with youth competitions valid for the provincial championship. The program will conclude in the afternoon with the 2,000-meter race reserved for elite athletes.
Between those events, participants may join Un passo per la ricerca, a four-kilometer walk along the dirt paths of Borgo Grotta Gigante to benefit AIRC. Individuals with disabilities will also have an opportunity to take part in outdoor physical activities through the initiative Atleti Anche Noi.
Now considered a classic fixture of the Karst plateau, the event’s combination of athletics, social engagement, charity and volunteer spirit has positioned it for continued success, Mr. Roberti said. An amateur runner himself, he expressed confidence that the Carsolina Cross could look ahead to “many more editions — perhaps another 50.”
Also present at the event’s presentation were Elisa Lodi, representing the Trieste municipal administration, Sgonico Deputy Mayor Martina Budin, and Pompeo Tria, president of Trieste Atletica.
