words Gabi Logan
From the 22nd of April to the 6th of May 2012, eight mini-marathons will raise funds for research into rare and debilitating genetic diseases at the Instituto Telethon di Milano. The first Walk of Life event took place this Sunday in Rome.
For the next seven weeks, the Walk of Life will move to cities around Italy, hitting Naples, Potenza and Bari before finishing with simultaneous events in Milan, Turin, Catania, and Lanciano on the 6th of May. Each event includes a competitive 10 km mini-marathon and a non-competitive 3-4 km walk.
The marathon courses take advantage of centrally located parks in the host cities. On Sunday, the Walk of Life in Rome looped around the Daini Park at the Villa Borghese. The May event in Milan begins and ends at the Sforzesco Castle in Sempione Park, travelling through the city centre for the rest of the 10 km route.
One day before each Walk of Life event, Telethon will open an educational village at the marathon venue with booths about the institute’s research initiatives. The institute funds nearly 1500 researchers who study more than 450 genetic diseases, including muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and haemophilia.
Runners registered with FIDAL or another society can compete in the competitive mini-marathon, while the non-competitive walk is open to the public. Individuals, families, and teams can register for the event through the Walk of Life website with a 10 euro donation for adults and a 5 euro donation for children 12 years of age and younger.
