SW News: The 14th edition of ‘Corsa dei Santi’ (Race of Saints), a unique annual sporting event was held on November 1 in Rome with 2,400 participating in it. This time, the event was promoted by Missioni Don Bosco with the help of thousands of benefactors giving visible testimony to the importance of aiding minors in Tshikapa, a city in the southwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

With this event, the Salesians are looking forward to building schools for children between six and 13 years to fight against exploitation and child labor.

The 10-km race started and finished near St Peter’s Square with two modes on the same track, one for competitive participants and the other for non-competitive amateur ones. Burundian national Celestine Ndikumana topped in the men’s category with a speed of 28 mins and 57 secs and was followed by Nekagenet Crippa with 29:24. Ahmed Ouhda stood third, at 29:28, fourth was Daniele D'Onofrio, at 29:55, and fifth followed by Federico Riva at 31:09.

Corriere dello Sport daily quoted Celestine as saying, “It was a tough race. The course is beautiful but difficult and I am happy to have achieved success in this wonderful scenario, it is a memory that I will keep for a long time”.

Among women, Kenyan Lucy Mawia Muli bagged the first position in 31:50, followed by Burundian Francine Niyomukunzi in 32:55, second. She was closely followed by Cavaline Nahimana at 34:03. Italian Alessia Tuccitto stood fourth at 35:07 leaving behind the Swiss Camille Chenaux who finished at 34:14.

Lucy said, “I ran really well, I felt fit and the race confirmed it. I liked this event very much and I hope to participate again next year to defend the success”.

The Holy Father, in his greeting after the Marian Angelus prayer, recalled the feast of All Saints and even thanked all the participants for their “presence and good initiative”.

The event was in collaboration with Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi and was organized by ACSI Italia Atletica with the participation of the Department of Sport of the Municipality of Rome.

Don Bosco’s legacy of helping poor and suffering children to live better lives and build brighter futures through education is carried out by the Salesians. Since its initial humble start, the Salesians have inspired many others to follow the path of their saintly founder. Currently, the Salesian family consists of 34,000 Priests, Brothers, and Sisters in more than 130 countries around the world. They are the second-largest order in the Catholic Church.