Once again this year the international athletic champions are back, adopting Chiavenna’s municipal running track as their second home! From high altitude training in the Engadine, to track testing in Chiavenna.
The programme has been repeated for several years now, and the results obtained on the international circuits, the ones where the medals really do matter, seem to confirm that the formula works jolly well. With the arrival of summer, champions from all over the world return to strut their stuff on the town’s municipal track.
Among the numerous guests, Chiavenna has had the privilege of seeing go through their paces: the Ingebrigsten brothers– Jakob, Henrik and Filip all renowned Norwegian athletes who had considerable success at the various summer meets of 2018. Jakob, not yet 18, imposed himself on the European Championships in Berlin in both the 1,500m and the 5,000m.
It was his turn to take the European title at 1.500m in a time of 3’38”10 succeeding his brothers Henrik (winner at Helsinki 2012) and Filip (taking Gold two years ago in Amsterdam 2016.)
Chiavenna has also hosted athletes from Japan, Poland, (notably Martin Lewandowsky), Canada and America, as well as a range of “Olympians”. To name but a few: Evan Jager, steeplechaser, Matthew Centrowitz, middle-distance specialist, steeplechaser Courtney Frerichs, but also Donovan Brazier, Clayton Murphy and Kate Grace, and long distance champions such as Shelby Houlihan, Marielle Hall, Josh Thompson, right up to the marathon runner Shalane Flanagan.
It certainly makes an impression watching these champions pushing themselves in training.
Testing means some serious racing over a number of days, but also involves hours of preparation and exercises like
stretching.
Over time many a friendship has been struck with members of the Valchiavenna Running club - illustrated by souvenir photos sent back from athletes after some of their most impressive achievements.
