Through the streets of Pigneto, around the Runcore running store, Rome became an open-air circuit, an organism in tension where sharing and healthy competition intertwined once more. As already seen in Milan, this race went beyond the intimate dimension of running to take on a broader, almost choral form. Without losing its personal nature, but extending it.

The timeless structure of the relay was once again rewritten through the contemporary language of Roman running communities: the sharing of rhythm and the passing of energy. Materialized in a luminous baton that is not just an object, but an energetic vector, constantly ready to change direction—a flow that renews itself lap after lap.

Rome, with its layered materiality and timeless history, proved to be the perfect setting for this contemporary reinterpretation of team running, once again placing at its core the idea of making visible what usually remains unseen: shared effort. The energy that accumulates between bodies—ultimately leading the Suicide Runcore Running Squad to secure the final passport to the On Squad Race in Barcelona.

As official media partner of the Roman event, Athleta Magazine followed this challenge closely through a visual gallery and the voices of the runners involved, who shared how running can temporarily redefine urban spaces, turning them into a conductive ground for a new form of collective connection.

The On Squad Mission transforms energy into something visible, through the passing of a luminous baton and the filling of a totem. As a runner, when do you feel your energy stops being only yours and becomes collective?

Francesco Mittoni, Suicide Runcore Squad: “Honestly, I would say always. Every time I race there is competition, but there is also the crowd, the coach, the group you train with. You’re never really alone. You can feel energy coming from everywhere. There is always a strong individual component, but today, being a relay, the collective dimension was even more evident. You really feel part of something shared.”

Camilla Piergentili, Amor Run Club: “For me, that transition was very strong. I felt that others believed in me more than I believed in myself, and that made the difference. The energy was total, shared in every moment. It’s an experience I would repeat a thousand times, even though it was extremely demanding.”

Valerio Ciaramella, On Ambassador: “It was definitely a beautiful experience. In my case, I ran together with my sister, which made it even more special. The shared energy was present throughout the race, also thanks to the cheering and the people around. It goes beyond running itself—it becomes something to share with friends and family.”

Asia Bernardini, Suicide Runcore Squad: “Being a relay, there is naturally a strong sense of teamwork. The race stops being individual and becomes something shared. You find yourself cheering for your teammates, watching the runner coming towards you to pass the baton, and in that moment you really feel that transfer of energy. I also really liked that the batons were luminous and had a unique design. It made the experience more engaging, something different from what we’re used to.”

Running in a relay means trusting not only your own rhythm but also that of others. In a race like this, how much does the relationship with the team matter compared to individual performance?

Francesco Mittoni, Suicide Runcore Squad: “It matters a lot, because it doesn’t depend only on you, but on everyone. The more connected the team is, the more trust there is, and that’s what makes it stronger.”

Camilla Piergentili, Amor Run Club: “It’s fundamental. In a race like this, you need to fully trust the people you’re running with, no matter how long you’ve known them. During the relay this becomes very clear: at a certain point, you almost end up trusting others more than yourself. And when you receive that energy back, you find your rhythm. What struck me most was the bond that forms—it’s something very intense, almost hard to describe.”

Valerio Ciaramella, On Ambassador: “In a relay, it’s essential. It’s one of the few moments in athletics where the result is not just individual. Knowing your teammates, trusting them, respecting them—that’s what allows the team to truly work.”

Asia Bernardini, Suicide Runcore Squad: “It really comes down to trusting others. In our case, I only knew one teammate beforehand, and met the others here. But I trusted them—and I’d say I was right to do so.”

Running today is increasingly a language of community: belonging, crews, urban ritual. Do you think events like this reveal deeper truths about contemporary running?

Francesco Mittoni, Suicide Runcore Squad: “Absolutely. I really like this new wave that’s growing. More and more people are getting closer to running, and that’s very positive. Today it was also great to see people from different backgrounds—not only road runners or group runners, but also athletes coming from track. These worlds are actually very similar and should coexist.”

Camilla Piergentili, Amor Run Club: “Definitely. Running, these events, and my run club have completely changed my life in the past few months. They’ve given me a strong sense of community. Today I can describe them as a second family. I think it’s something very specific to our generation—we are looking for real connections, and running allows that in a deep way.”

Valerio Ciaramella, On Ambassador: “Yes, absolutely. Events like this give a strong push to those who already run, but also to those who might want to start. They can spark something. They make you want to be part of it.”

Asia Bernardini, Suicide Runcore Squad: “It’s a race that takes place in the streets, not on a track. People walk by, stop, get curious. It makes everything more visible. Maybe someone gets closer to running just by watching, by feeling that energy.”

The On Squad Mission brings running into the heart of Rome, in daylight, transforming the streets into a shared space of energy. What kind of feeling does it leave you with compared to a more traditional course?

Francesco Mittoni, Suicide Runcore Squad: “It was more demanding than I expected, for sure. But also really beautiful. It’s always something new, a different kind of experience. I had a lot of fun—I really enjoyed everything, from the organization to the idea of everyone running in the same On shoes.”

Camilla Piergentili, Amor Run Club: “It was very interesting to see people from different run clubs come together. When you always run with your own group, you don’t often get to see other realities. Here you realize how many people are involved, how much energy there is. Seeing more competitive, experienced athletes is very motivating. For me, this is true sport: healthy competition, but above all sharing.”

Valerio Ciaramella, On Ambassador: “It completely broke the monotony of training. Running in this kind of context changes everything. Doing it on a Saturday morning in a park in Rome, surrounded by passionate runners, creates a really beautiful atmosphere. It leaves you with very positive feelings.”

Asia Bernardini, Suicide Runcore Squad: “It’s a different kind of race from what I usually do, and that’s exactly why it stimulated me more. The course, with its ups and downs, is not something you usually experience in this way. It’s a format I had never tried before, and I really enjoyed it.”