Every time we’re in Italy, there’s always something that surprises us. This past Sunday, it wasn’t that there was a fun run starting and ending in the main piazza, so much as the reason for it.
The 10K run, called Stracastello, was put on to help raise awareness of worldwide violence against women. This is an issue near and dear to my heart, not because my husband beats me (he’s the polar opposite), but because when I became a member of Soroptimist International, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, my awareness was raised. Our club, in particular, focuses on the elimination of human trafficking and with that of course, stopping the violence wrought upon women both here and abroad. Until I was introduced to the Soroptimist GP Chapter, I had no idea the extent to which human trafficking occurs in Detroit and its suburbs.
The 10K run, called Stracastello, was put on to help raise awareness of worldwide violence against women. This is an issue near and dear to my heart, not because my husband beats me (he’s the polar opposite), but because when I became a member of Soroptimist International, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, my awareness was raised. Our club, in particular, focuses on the elimination of human trafficking and with that of course, stopping the violence wrought upon women both here and abroad. Until I was introduced to the Soroptimist GP Chapter, I had no idea the extent to which human trafficking occurs in Detroit and its suburbs.
Stop the violence against women.
Spectators waiting at the finish line in the main piazza. Unlike fun runs in the U.S., this one, in Citta di Castello, didn’t start until around 10 a.m. That gave the hordes of participants and spectators time to chit-chat over an espresso and a brioche. (Nothing like an espresso to give you a jack-rabbit start!) During this pre-race time, the more serious runners (a clear minority) warmed up by running up and down the medieval streets.
Event volunteers passed out orange bandanas that said “Contro la Violenze Sulle Donne” (Against the violence upon women), and most everyone was wearing them either around their necks, in their hair, tying them to their wrists or their waists, except for the more serious runners who probably thought it might impede the aerodynamics of their race.
All ages come out for these kinds of regularly scheduled family events in this dynamic town located in northern Umbria. Also participating were children and adults on bicycles and people in wheelchairs.
Rich and I sat outside one bar sipping cappuccino while enjoying the casual pre-race party.
For the race itself, we moved to another bar on the main square, Piazza Matteotti, and drank freshly squeezed orange juice, right there at the finish line. A lovely morning all the way around. More photos below.
Event volunteers passed out orange bandanas that said “Contro la Violenze Sulle Donne” (Against the violence upon women), and most everyone was wearing them either around their necks, in their hair, tying them to their wrists or their waists, except for the more serious runners who probably thought it might impede the aerodynamics of their race.
All ages come out for these kinds of regularly scheduled family events in this dynamic town located in northern Umbria. Also participating were children and adults on bicycles and people in wheelchairs.
Rich and I sat outside one bar sipping cappuccino while enjoying the casual pre-race party.
For the race itself, we moved to another bar on the main square, Piazza Matteotti, and drank freshly squeezed orange juice, right there at the finish line. A lovely morning all the way around. More photos below.
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls
through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
 First woman to cross the finish line. |  First man to cross finish line. |
HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOT LINE
1-888-3737-888
OR TEXT: BEFREE
1-888-3737-888
OR TEXT: BEFREE
