Special "NATO@70" trophy won during spring run in Ferrara

FERRARA, Italy - On 18 June a team of the logistic base of the Italian Air Force’s Air Operations Command in Ferrara participated in the 12th edition of the ten kilometre "National Italian Air Force Trophy” spring run competing for a "NATO@70 trophy”.

The special feature of a NATO@70 trophy was added to the run this year commemorating the alliance’s anniversary. Inspired by joint values and collective defence which are at the heart of the transatlantic alliance the trophy was to be awarded to the seven athletes running in the same team whose aggregate time was the fastest on the overall distance of 70 km. Seven teams – in total 110 runners – competed for the NATO@70 trophy.

The winner was the Ferrara Running Team performing in a total time of less than five hours; the NATO Deployable Air Command and Control Centre team finished as runner-up. During an award ceremony, the Commander of NATO’s Deployable Air Command and Control Centre and the Italian Air Force Air Operations Command, Major General Claudio Gabellini, handed over the NATO@70 Trophy to Mrs. Erica Cavalieri, representing the proud winning team.

More than 300 athletes competed for the individual title on the distance of ten kilometres. Additionally, more than 550 people participated in a charity five-kilometre walk on the Ferrara Aeroclub runway and over 100 children from toddler to teen also ran a shorter distance. The main objective of this sports competition has traditionally been to raise charity funds that go to Ferrara-based non-profit projects promoting sportive activities.

After the award ceremony General Gabellini handed over symbolic 2,500 euro cheques to two non-profit organisations on behalf of NATO’s Deployable Air Command and Control Centre and the Italian Air Force Air Operations Command, respectively. "On behalf of my international team at the Deployable Air Command and Control Centre it gives me pride and satisfaction that we were able to contribute to this fantastic running event,” General Gabellini said. "It has been fun for all runners and walkers and it served the good cause of helping those in need,” he added.

"I am very pleased that NATO through the Deployable Air Command and Control Centre here instituted this new trophy to the run,” said Major Leonardo Pantaleo, the project officer for the event. "This added value to our run resulting in a great turn-out – we estimate that in total more than 1,500 people participated in the various categories,” he continued to say. "Consequently this helped us to raise more funds for charitable purposes.”

Story by Deployable Air Command and Control Centre Public Affairs Officer