Cinque Mulini 2024: Battocletti and Global Contenders Set the Stage for a Cross Country Spectacle
Nadia Battocletti, a luminary in Italian athletics, is set to lead the field at the 92nd edition of the Cinque Mulini in San Vittore Olona, a prestigious stop on the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold, scheduled for November 17.
Fresh from a spectacular season, Battocletti clinched two European gold medals in the 5000m and 10000m in Rome, delighting local fans with her stunning performance. At the Paris Olympics, she continued her exceptional form, securing a silver in the 10000m and placing fourth in the 5000m, setting new Italian records in both categories with times of 14:31.36 and 30:43.35, respectively. Her past accolades include multiple titles at the European Cross Country Championships across various age categories, underscoring her prowess on the cross country circuit.
She will face formidable competition from Sheila Jebet of Kenya, a rising star who placed fourth in the 5000m at the World U20 Championships in Belgrade and recently finished runner-up at the World Cross Country Gold race in Cardiff.
Also toeing the line is Federica Del Buono, who is making a noteworthy return to form. After overcoming prolonged injury challenges, Del Buono showed resilience by finishing strongly at the European Championships in Rome. Ludovica Cavalli, another Italian contender, comes off a strong season, setting personal bests in both the 1500m and indoor 3000m.
Elena Burkard of Germany and Valeria Roffino, the last Italian to podium at this event in 2015, will also be athletes to watch, adding depth to a highly competitive field.
Men’s Preview: International Talents Collide
The men’s race at Cinque Mulini will feature Egide Ntakaturimana from Burundi, who comes off a win at the Cross della Vallagarina and a notable fourth-place finish at the 2024 Campaccio Cross Country race. Ntakaturimana, who has shown his track prowess with a personal best of 13:00.74 in Maisons Laffitte, leads a strong contingent including fellow Burundians Emile Hafashimana and Lionel Nihimbazwe, who have both made impacts on the world stage this year.
The youth brigade is led by Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi of Kenya, the recent World U20 5000m champion, alongside Mezgebu Sime of Ethiopia, and Matthew Kipkoech Kiplimo, showcasing the immense talent coming through the ranks in African distance running.
Italian hopes will be buoyed by Pietro Arese, who broke the Italian 1500m record and showed his mettle with an eighth-place finish in the Olympic final in Paris. The home crowd will also cheer for Daniele Meucci, a past European marathon champion, Osama Zoghlami, a silver medalist in the 3000m steeplechase at the Munich European Championships, and Ossama Meslek, known for his indoor prowess.
Not to be overlooked are the short-course favorites, Marta Zenoni and Yassin Bouih of Italy, each bringing national titles and commendable European performances to the fore.
This year’s Cinque Mulini not only promises high-caliber athletic performances but also acts as a critical springboard for future stars, much like it has in previous years for Olympic and World Champions. As the athletes line up in San Vittore Olona, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in this storied event.
