"I'm here to win." This was Iliass Aouani 's statement in the days leading up to the 93rd Cinque Mulini in San Vittore Olona. The world marathon bronze medalist didn't win, but he fought like a pro and managed to reach the podium, behind the very young Eritrean Saymon Amanuel and Kenyan Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto . This third-place finish for Italy was the first since 2005 (with Stefano Baldini on the bottom step), while Yeman Crippa, in 2023, had settled for second, preceded only by Kenyan Gideon Rono.

“I knew it would be extremely difficult to win. The two guys ahead of me are running incredibly fast and are certainly comfortable on courses like these. As for me, I had to adapt my running mechanics, which are now that of a marathon runner. Let's just say I held my own well. I'm completely satisfied with my performance. I'm fully preparing for the next marathon. I don't know when or where yet, but it will be in the spring.” Aouani then confirmed that he will not participate in the next European Cross Country Championships, scheduled for December 14th in Portugal.

Naturally, Eritrean Saymon Amanuel, born in 2007, was also happy, an excellent competitor in all aspects of middle-distance running, both on the road and cross-country. "I trained well this year, I knew I could win." And from the start, he behaved like a true expert. A handful of minutes to study his opponents, then a violent burst to split the group and remain with only Kipruto. After 15 minutes of racing, before entering the mill, another violent sprint and there he was, facing the final two kilometers completely alone. He arrived with his arms raised to greet the crowd. Luca Alfieri finished fourth , three seconds better than Osama Zoghlami . Italian record holder Pietro Arese finished eighth, having to fend off the forceful comeback of Giovanni Gatto (both athletes clocking identical times).

Top 10 ranked athletes of the MEN'S INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

1. AMANUEL, SAYMON TESFAGIORGIS [5] ERI – 22′ 48”
2. KIPRUTO, MATTHEW KIPKOECH [6] KEN – 23′ 20”
3. AOUANI, ILIASS [1] ITA – 23′ 29”
4. ALFIERI, LUCA [10] ITA – 23′ 31”
5. ZOGHLAMI, OSAMA [4] ITA – 23′ 34”
6. GASMI, ABDERRAZZAK [52] MAR – 23′ 35”
7. JÄGER, NICK [27] GER – 23′ 36”
8. ARESE, PIETRO [2] ITA – 23′ 42”
9. GATTO, GIOVANNI [65] ITA – 23′ 42”
10. ZINOUBI, SABER [47] TUN – 23′ 50”

The women's race (6.2 km) was an almost identical affair. The two Kenyan athletes quickly took the lead, leading the pack. The only one to hold off, but only just, was Valentina Gemetto , who finished fourth and was almost certainly selected for the European Cross Country Championships: "I didn't like myself very much. I struggle on muddy courses, and I've been sidelined for most of the summer due to an injury. Selection for the European Championships? I'm not the one to decide, but..." She will undoubtedly wear the blue jersey, being among the best, if not the best, of the Italian specialists, with the exception of Nadia Battocletti, who won yesterday in Spain's Atapuerca Cross Country Championships with ease.

Ethiopian Yenenesh Shimket took the top step of the podium , repeating her success from 2024, followed by Kenyan Sharon Chepkemoi in second and Burundian Elvanie Nimbona in third .

Extremely shy, Yenenesh, when asked questions in English, although he understood perfectly well what was being asked, would lower his gaze, shake his head and answer in a feeble voice in Aramaic.

Top 10 ranked athletes of the International Women's Competition

1. SHIMKET, YENENESH [6] ETH – 19′ 11”
2. CHEPKEMOI, SHARON [5] KEN – 19′ 46”
3. NIMBOA, ELVANIE [7] BUR – 19′ 47”
4. GEMETTO, VALENTINA [1] ITA – 20′ 19”
5. ARNOLDO, LUCIA [8] ITA – 20′ 25”
6. MAJORI, MICOL [3] ITA – 20′ 34”
7. COLLI, GAIA [2] ITA – 20′ 42”
8. ZANNE, FEDERICA [11] ITA – 20′ 45”
9. MUNARETTO, CHIARA [51] ITA – 20′ 47”
10. REINA, NICOLE SVETLANA [9] ITA – 20′ 48”

A near-carbon copy of the race in the short cross country. Marta Zenoni won the women's race , finishing 23 seconds ahead of Chiara Spagnoli and 28 seconds ahead of Martina Canazza . This event is likely a preparatory step for her possible participation in the mixed relay at the European Cross Country Championships. "A beautiful course, the best race of all. I really enjoyed it. Next year I hope to be able to do the long race ." A brief interlude in her race. Marta, more than happy, confesses that she noticed her father on the course and: "I stopped to hug him. We hadn't seen each other in a long time."

Sebastiano Parolini was equally happy , repeating last year's success, ahead of Masresha Costa and Marco Ranucci . He too is aiming for the European Cross Country Championships.

The Unione Sportiva San Vittore Olona 1906 thanks Federica Picchi, Undersecretary of Sport and Youth of the Lombardy Region, for her support. Her presence enhanced the event and provided a firsthand glimpse of the local identity that Cinque Mulini represents.

The Unione Sportiva San Vittore Olona 1906 also thanks the Municipal Administration of San Vittore Olona for their presence and support, the Police Force, the Civil Protection Department, the Red Cross, the Legnano Carabinieri Association, and all the volunteers who work every year to make this historic event possible.