38th edition of the Boclassic, the international New Year\’s Eve Run in Bozen/Bolzano – Top runners for the BOclassic

One Olympic and three WC medallists: the 38^th edition of the Boclassic, the international New Year's Eve Run in Bozen/Bolzano, again comes up to its reputation as the best cast end-of-year road race of the world. Today the starter field was presented: Cross Country world champion Imane Merga, the Olympic bronze medallist Thomas Longosiva as well as world double vice champion Sylvia Kibet are the big stars.

The women's (5km) and men's (10km) elite road races are broadcasted by RAI Sport 1 from 2.45 pm onwards.

„ I am not in the position to say that the Boclassic is indeed the best cast end-of-year road race of the world, but I am sure to say that it is among the absolute top road races at the end of the year", states Gianni Demadonna. The athletic manager presented the starter field which is satisfactory albeit the low budget. In 2010, Cross country world champion Imane Merga even beat the double Olympic winner Mo Farah. The Kenyan Thomas Longosiva, the Olympic third over 5000m who hardly missed the Olympic gold medal as well as the Ethiopian  world silver medallist Muktar Edris, Junior World champion over 5000m are also hot favourites for the victory.

On short notice, Demadonna was able to oblige two further stars: on the one hand there is record holder and nine fold cross country European champion Serhiy Lebid  and on the other hand, there is the Kenyan Silas Kipruto, fourth  in the world half marathon 2010.

The starter Field for the women's race is as glamorous as for the men's race: Runners like last year's silver medallist Afera Godfay from Ethiopia, last year's bronze medallist Silvia Weissteiner, world silver medallist Sylvia Kibet, Btissam Lakhouad, who finished fourth in the WC, the young Ethiopian Worknesh Degefa Debela and a few Europeans will put up a good fight. Kibet already won in 2007 and in 2008 she finished third. And last year, Godfay gave Cheruiyot a hard time up to the finish line. All in all, the Boclassic presents some 50 athletes from 11 countries.

Up to 15,000 spectators are expected to pass the last afternoon of the year in South Tyrol's biggest lounge, Bozen/Bolzano's Walther Square and alongside the track. Calculating all the participators with Ladurner Amateur's Run and Raiffeisen Youth Road Run, around 850 runners will be starting this year. The national TV channel RAI Sport 1 is broadcasting the elite runs form 2.45pm onwards. 

The race can be followed also via web on https://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/dirette/PublishingBlock-7131f72e-5ca4-45f7-bd50-ebf161d164fc.html. 

For more information on the Boclassic see www.boclassic.it.