Cabras, Nicola Poddi's first barefoot race: "A dream come true."

The anticipation is thrilling, so great is the desire to be there, to succeed, to then feel at peace with themselves. The veterans are ready to relive hardships they know well, but for those who will don the habit for the first time, these are special days, filled with anxiety, fear, and worry. For now, they can only imagine what it will feel like when they too find themselves among that serene crowd of people dressed in white who, on Saturday morning, at dawn, will carry the statue of San Salvatore, barefoot and running, from Caras to the rural village. When that hardship will magically transform into relief. When those aching feet, blackened by trampled dust and worn by the stones of the Sinis, will run tirelessly, driven and encouraged by faith and devotion. These days in Cabras, it is as if everything has stopped as a sign of respect for those who are about to fulfill a vow. The moment the people of Cabras await all year has finally arrived. Nicola Poddi, 17, is moved and cries like a little child when he looks at his habit, washed and starched by his grandmother, proudly displayed in the living room of his house: "For me, it's a dream come true. When I was very little and saw my father among all the runners, I thought I'd like to be there one day. Then, at the age of six, I moved with my family to Bologna, but a few months ago I returned to Cabras for work and immediately asked if I could participate in the San Salvatore race, since my father is from Cabras. I'm part of the thirty-third group," he says proudly. "I'll carry the saint along with my cousins Davide and Daniele. But above all, I'll run wearing my father's habit, which will follow me from afar: for me, it will be like having him by my side. He will give me protection and peace of mind. I'm sure of it." Nicola is an athlete, and he's not afraid of hard work: "There's certainly faith here, the responsibility of carrying a saint, of carrying on a centuries-old tradition. I'm proud of all this. Everyone is encouraging me, telling me that during the race you're never alone, and that, once we reach the village, you'll no longer feel tired, there will be only tears and emotion. I'm ready to experience all this. It will be the best day of my life."