“To sustain the highest speed possible over such a long road is the most beautiful thing a human mind can produce,” reflects Italian writer Mauro Covacich, speaking about the marathon. “The mind is not the brain. The mind is the system of the body that thinks. The mind is the network where my forefoot, my heart, my glycogen, my desires, my memory—my whole self—communicates with itself, and with everything outside that influences or can change who I am.”

The marathon is an open dialogue, even literature tells us so: a conversation within the body-mind system. And the streets of Berlin did nothing but confirm this absolute truth: the value of 42 kilometers, both tangible and intangible, has never been, and never will be, just a matter of physical performance.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed right now. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Hard, of course, but… it’s like life itself.” These are the emotional words of Clara Abbona after crossing the finish line of her first-ever marathon, capturing in just a few seconds the essence of a journey that began months earlier, alongside Lorenzo Lotti and Sofia Montagna, and was completed by listening, and pushing beyond, every doubt and fear. “When you think you’ve reached your limit, you have to push just a little bit further. Then you see the downhill… and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. When I passed through the Brandenburg Gate, it felt like I was being reborn. Truly. I can’t wait to run more.”

“It was tough, but crossing that finish line is always an incredible emotion. I already want to run another one. It’s always such a beautiful experience,” says Sofia Montagna, echoing the sentiments of many who took part in this year’s Berlin Marathon. Over the long journey, supported by Cisalfa Sport and adidas, Montagna deepened her already strong relationship with running, forging a close bond with fellow runner Clara Abbona and coach Lorenzo Lotti. She finished as the 5th fastest Italian woman, clocking in at 3:13:07 on the urban course of the German capital.

From the first group meeting to shared training sessions, from local events like the PolimiRun to the mountain trails of the Stralivigno, the road ultimately led to Berlin, home to one of the world’s most prestigious marathon majors. Now in its 51st edition, the race welcomed a staggering 80,000 participants from across the globe. “Berlin is a great marathon,” notes coach-athlete Lorenzo Lotti, who led the Road to Berlin project for the group, offering all-around support: from structured training plans to mental and emotional guidance. “It’s always exciting, even for someone who has run many races like this.” 

“I hit a rough patch myself,” he adds, after crossing the finish line as the 4th fastest Italian male, with a time of 2:35:36. “But I managed it. I listened to my body, found my rhythm again, and pushed through to finish strong. I’m really happy, I truly enjoyed it.”

And it’s precisely in this individual and collective joy that we find the true meaning of what happened during that weekend in Berlin. The magic of a first time, Clara’s, long considered impossible. The confirmation of a deep, evolving connection between Sofia and running, in all its beauty. The extraordinary feeling of what could never become ordinary, even for a seasoned athlete like Lorenzo. And above all, the sharing of it all.

We close this Road to Berlin with the direct voices of our three protagonists: testimonies that embody the varied, yet equally meaningful, ways in which 42 kilometers can shape the human spirit.

Clara Abbona

“For me, the Berlin Marathon isn’t the end. On the contrary, it’s the beginning of something even more beautiful. And I can’t wait to see what lies beyond that finish line. Every kilometer I ran, every drop of sweat, every emotion I felt… It’s all just the start of a much bigger journey.

I’ve always loved running, but until not long ago, I used to focus on how slow I was, on how I wasn’t doing enough. Now, I run to listen to myself, to find myself again. It’s my time, just for me. And I couldn’t be happier.

Of course, there are tough moments, moments when negative thoughts creep in during a run or a race like this one… when your mind turns against you. It tells you you’re tired, that you can’t do it, that you should stop. That’s when I hold on to the good things: my little dog, my family, the people who believe in me: those who cheer me on even when I struggle to do it myself. That’s where I learned to find strength. Something shifts in your mind, like a switch being flipped. And suddenly, it says: keep going.

During my first half marathon in Milan, that exact thing happened. I truly thought it was over at one point. But I started thinking about everything running had given me: about the beautiful things in my life. And somehow, from that place, I found the strength to push through. Crossing that finish line was one of the most emotional moments of my life. I was exhausted… But truly, deeply happy.

Having my teammates beside me on the Road to Berlin made all the difference. On my own, it would’ve been so much harder. Cisalfa Sport and adidas were also essential parts of this journey. I shared every workout, every challenge, every step forward with them. And in the end, those 42 kilometers are the perfect summary of this incredible year.

What I loved most was telling the story: sharing every part of the journey. Because more than the performance itself, what mattered to me was expressing the emotions that come with every training session. They’re always different, always new. And the feedback I received has been overwhelming: people telling me I inspired them to start running, or that they felt part of the journey too. That’s something that fills me with real joy.

Today, I feel like a completely different person than when I first started this long road to Berlin. Stronger, more grounded, definitely better. And I can’t wait to see where this evolution takes me next… because this is definitely not the end.”

Sofia Montagna

“These 42 kilometers aren’t just a race. They represent a long, intense journey: full of training, effort, and discovery. A beautiful path that led me to truly get to know myself.

And all the emotions I’ve experienced these past months carried me all the way to the finish line.

Running, for me, is pure well-being. It’s how I express myself, how I stay balanced. At the end of this Road to Berlin, I can say my relationship with running has grown stronger than ever. I’ve done things I didn’t think I was capable of. I’ve gained new awareness.

I can’t imagine a day without running anymore.

During training, I never hear those negative voices telling me to stop. Quitting is simply not an option. I focus on the positive sensations: on how good it feels, on the lightness, on how amazing it is to just let go and be carried by the run. In those moments, the only voice I listen to is the one reminding me of my goals, my journey, and how far I’ve come.

Thanks to Cisalfa Sport and adidas, I was able to dedicate myself entirely to preparation, almost like it was my full-time job. And because of that, I felt a bit more anxious than usual before the marathon: I wanted to reap the rewards of every single kilometer, every early morning, every disciplined session.

What helped me was knowing I wasn’t alone. This journey was shared with two incredible people: Lorenzo and Clara. With Lorenzo, we’ve been a strong team for over a year, and our bond has grown both athletically and personally. Clara was a beautiful surprise: we laughed, we trained, we vented, we shared nerves and joy. We built a true friendship. Together, we became the perfect trio to take on Berlin.

One of the most rewarding parts of this experience has been the connection with my community. I’ve always talked about running with honesty and simplicity: sharing my discipline and drive, but also how this passion can be lived with joy and balance. And the response has been overwhelming. So many people wrote to me, sending support, cheering me on. Some even said, “I feel like I’m in Berlin with you.” And that… that’s the most beautiful gift of all.

Today, I feel changed. I feel enriched. Long-distance running teaches you so much: you spend hours with yourself, with your body, with your fatigue. And when you get home, you realize you’ve grown. As an athlete, yes, but even more as a person. And you carry that growth into every part of your life.”

Lorenzo Lotti

“I’ve run many marathons, but each one brings a new emotion. And Berlin, with its 13 world records, is something truly special. It’s a fast course, sure, but more than that, it’s a city with a powerful story and energy. You don’t just run for the time; you run for the experience.

This time, though, it was even more unique. Thanks to Cisalfa Sport and adidas, I had the chance to share this journey with Sofia and Clara, and that has given me so much. With Sofia, the goal was clear: push beyond limits, improve day by day, chase a personal best. Every training session brought us closer. With Clara, it was a different kind of challenge: a mental one. Supporting her as the mileage increased, helping her manage pressure and emotions. And through it all, I realized Clara is much stronger than she thinks.

As a coach, and as an athlete, I’ve learned that there’s no fixed method. There’s a philosophy, one that evolves constantly. Every person I train teaches me something. And this journey challenged me with new needs, new solutions. It made me grow, pushed me to reflect. Today, I know I’m a better coach. And a more conscious runner.

Even though I race a lot throughout the year, every marathon is its own story. The marathon doesn’t forgive: no matter how experienced you are. There’s always that moment of crisis, that fork in the road where you either give in or fight through. I’ve been there many times, even more so in ultramarathons. And that’s when mental strategies become essential: visualization, thinking about something positive, imagining the future. That moment of struggle might only last a minute, but it feels endless. And if you push through it: you come out stronger.

That’s also why I love sharing this journey. Not just the performance, but the emotion. The inspiration. Over the past few months, I’ve received countless messages from people who got involved, who started running, or are preparing for their very first marathon. For me, that’s the real win: to leave something behind. To motivate. Because anyone who runs a marathon, even just once in their life, will never be the same person again.

When I lined up at the start in Berlin, I was as emotional as ever. Because it wasn’t just me out there. Clara, Sofia, the community, and everyone who followed this journey: they were all there too. Yes, it was a race. But more than that, it was a celebration of running, energy, and resilience.”