Alex Zanardi was a great friend of the Venice Marathon, and that's why we want to remember him through the legacy he left us: gestures that exemplified enormous courage and generosity, and words that speak to his heart and soul.
Memories, sometimes daring and funny, that introduced us to an extraordinary, unique character we will never forget.
2009: Ambassador for the 'Accessible Venice' project alongside Oscar Pistorius - Alex Zanardi appeared on the Venice Marathon stage for the first time in October 2009, alongside South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, to inaugurate the 13 wooden ramps spanning the bridges of Venice—from San Basilio to the Giardini della Biennale—which served to facilitate the marathon runners' running, but above all to permanently improve accessibility to the city, including for people with disabilities. Zanardi continued to champion the City Administration's 'Accessible Venice' project in the years that followed.
2009: First marathon victory – Venicemarathon applauds Zanardi's first marathon victory: a first major international achievement and the beginning of an extraordinary new handbike career.
"I was really hoping for this result! I can't say I was sure of it, but I was hoping. I went off the road at San Giuliano Park after a bend and my chain fell off three times, but I didn't lose heart; on the contrary, I started pushing like hell again."
The champion then decided to auction off his racing suit to build drinking water wells in Uganda.
"For me, it's a symbolic gesture, even though I hope the proceeds will be more than just a drop in the ocean. Giving up an object that holds such immense value to me means sending a message to others who are willing to follow in the footsteps of the Venicemarathon friends and help make the Run For Water – Run For Life project even more effective."
2011: Francesco Canali pushes for 42 km – After winning the 2009 and 2010 editions of the Venice Marathon, in 2011 the whole world began to learn about Alex's big heart and his boundless generosity:
"On Sunday, which also happens to be my 45th birthday, I'll be pushing the wheelchair of my friend Francesco Canali, who has been suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) since 2005, and our race will serve to shed light on this disease and on research. It will be tough to reach the finish line, but I know we'll make it. The bridges at the end are well-made, perfectly smooth, with just the right gradient. If we get tired on the climb, I'm sure some fans will lend us a hand, while on the descent we'll fly!"
The emotion at the finish line was enormous, especially because Zanardi, just a few meters from the finish line, got off his handbike to push Canali's wheelchair and let him cross the finish line first: another magnificent gesture!
"The idea of running the Venice Marathon together was born last February: a feat that seemed impossible, but which we are now here to tell. Personally, it was like winning the Marathon, and I have to thank Francesco for letting me experience the emotions of this adventure. It was a tough race, I didn't hold back, but Francesco was by my side, and with the added cheering of the crowd, everything was easier."
2012, another great feat with Eric Fontanari – The 2012 edition of the Venice Marathon was marked by rain and wind, but despite this, it was the scene of yet another feat by Alex Zanardi, fresh from his two-time Paralympic champion in London.
That year in Venice, Zanardi led Eric Fontanari, a seventeen-year-old tetraplegic from Trentino, to the finish line.
It was a crazy adventure! Around the 25th kilometer, I had some doubts because Eric began to suffer from the cold, with muscle spasms and was no longer able to hold his handbike, which was leaning completely to the left. At that point, I realized it was too risky to reach Venice in these conditions, so, remembering last year's experience with Francesco Canali, I decided to unhook Eric's front wheel and hook his bike to mine with a rope I found almost by chance along the route. So we set off again, just as a heavy rain began to fall on the Ponte della Libertà and a very strong wind was blowing. But the best was yet to come: a few kilometers later, in fact, my gear housing broke, and all of this forced me to use a very hard gear and make incredible efforts. Then, miraculously, I found some tape and 'splint' the broken housing around the brake. This allowed me to shift gears again and therefore make my pedaling easier. Furthermore, I was too encouraged by Eric, who was behind me. he was shouting at me 'go tractor, we can do it, we'll get to the finish line!'. Thus began the 13 bridges of Venice, where I was struggling to hold the handbike because the front wheel was slipping, as all my weight was tilted backward. We had the public and volunteers to help us, and we knew the finish line was close and we couldn't give up at that moment. After the last bridge, I stopped to wait for the bike guide who was supposed to bring me the front wheel of Eric's handbike, because I wanted him to be the first to cross the finish line. Unfortunately, the guide never arrived, so I decided to tow Eric to within a centimeter of the finish line, got off my handbike, and, as I had done last year with Francesco, I made sure his body was the first to cross the finish line. Now, in hindsight, I can say it was incredibly tough, but once again, an incredible feeling: I couldn't give up, because Eric believed in it from the first to the last meter. I also congratulate Fabio Marzocchi, the other runner with us in the Bimbingamba Sport project, who overtook us at the 25km mark to finish his race with ease.
Alex Zanardi also won the 2013 edition of the Venice Marathon and in the years that followed, he continued to be involved with the event as a spokesperson for the Venice Marathon Charity Program, and his memory will always be with us.
Farewell, our great friend!
