The University of Bologna’s first participation as an official partner of the Termal Bologna Marathon concluded with strong engagement from both the university community and the city. All races were sold out, and the event recorded 12,000 participants from 81 countries.
During the weekend, the University was also present with a stand in Piazza del Nettuno, where 25 researchers met members of the public to present and discuss their work. There was also strong participation in the Run Tune Up – half marathon (21 km), with 170 University of Bologna students taking part. The “Unibo 21K Challenge” prize was awarded to the fastest runners: Mathilde Luna Joly, Bianca Bettini, Simona Bianchi, and Eduardo Sabino Rojo, Alessandro Micheli, Matteo Tartarini.
Bologna City Run: where research runs free
Among the scheduled races, the 5 km run helped raise funds to support research at the University of Bologna: 3,000 people took part, and the registration fees made it possible to collect €15,000 for the University’s research.
The run, a non-competitive event open to everyone, was organised to support the freedom of scientific research and to share, step by step, a vision of a more just, sustainable and inclusive future. Every step contributes to building knowledge, innovation and progress.
It was also an opportunity to bring together the University and the wider community around shared values.
The route crossed the historic city centre and finished in Piazza Maggiore, the vibrant heart of the event and home to the Marathon Village, which hosted cultural, musical and outreach activities throughout the weekend.
Atthe University of Bologna, research is free: it explores every field of knowledge and develops independent solutions, even in areas that often remain outside traditional funding circuits.
A commitment born from the desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives-everyone’s lives.
Teams and volunteers who took part
Running together makes the experience even more special. Colleagues, students and friends with the same desire to get involved shared the event by taking part as teams, bringing together energy, enjoyment and team spirit.
70 teams from the University of Bologna took part in the 5 km Bologna City Run, and 110 volunteers from the student community and University staff supported the event and the activities at the stand dedicated to showing the public what research means today and how it is carried out.
The medals for the competitive races featuring the Specola Tower, and the 5 km medal.
Continue to support the research and projects of Alma Mater; visit the Unimpatto website.