On Saturday 10 October the 88th edition of the classic running race will take place in Podebrady (CZE), valid as the Permit Meeting of the European Athletics and as an International Walking Match (only between Italy and Czech Republic) as well as the National Championship of the Czech Republic.
The list of entered athletes is very large (41 men and 37 women), in addition, as usual, the U20s and U18s.
Frankly, we don't know if all entered athletes will guarantee their presence due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic situation of COVID 19.
We refer in particular to the athletes of:
- Mexico: with 9 men and 7 women
- Colombia: with 2 men and 2 women
- Ecuador: with the vstars Andres Chocho in men and Glenda Morejon plus another athlete in women
- Brazil: with Erica de Sena
Unfortunately, if their presence were not ensured, the two 20km would still be reduced to a beautiful match between European athletes.
Among all stands the name of Perseus Karlstrom (SWE) who in this season has only known two defeats: one on 27.1.2020 in Melbourne on 10,000m track walk and the other on 16.2.2020 in Kobe when he finished third (after Toshkazu Yamanishi and Koki Ikeda) in 1:19:34 which remains his season best performance.
Worthy of note are the Italians Francesco Fortunato, Matteo Giupponi and Federico Tontodonati who are part of the national team of Italy, but with them also Stefano Chiesa, Teodorico Caporaso.
Then there are Kevin Campion (FRA), Havard Haukenes (NOR).
Below is the updated seasonal european list on 20km
In women, in addition to the aforementioned Erica de Sena and Glenda Morejon, the home idol Anezka Drahotova are also among the favorites, and the Italian Antonella Palmisano who returns to the course that saw her triumph in the European Cup in 2017 togerher with the other Italian Valentina Trapletti, although her presence is questioned due to an inflammation of the foot; in case of absence she will be replaced by Federica Curiazzi.
Speaking of Antonella Palmisano, we would like to point out that on Saturday 3 October in Tivoli (ITA), on the occasion of her official return to the races this season, she obtained the best seasonal world performance on 5.000m track walk in 21:00. Obviously this result is also the athlete's personal best. The precedent dates back to the distant 13.6.2009 (22: 40.59) established in Rieti on the occasion of the Italian U20 Championships eleven years ago.
Palmisano this season had only done a technical test with judges in Ostia on 26 July 2020 which she had completed in an interesting 1:27:58 ( click here )
Below is the updated seasonal world list on 5.000m track walk with all the performances under 22:00.00.