Sa prima pandela Davide Muscau who, despite being exhausted, embraces, with teary eyes, those who congratulate him and wish him well, is one of the most beautiful images of this morning's Ardia on foot.

"I'm happy," Muscau said, "that everything went well. I thank the flags, the escorts, and everyone who participated. This is the Ardia I had dreamed of. My thoughts go out to Marco Muredda, who is no longer with us."

Also exhausted but satisfied were colleagues Graziano Salaris and Marco Sotgiu, who supported their friend throughout. The race on the Octave of San Costantino lived up to expectations and, as always, was a great popular celebration with hundreds and hundreds of participants, an estimated at least 500. Also running was Francesco Calledda, 89, the walker from Aritzo known to everyone as Zigheddu.

The leading trio led the large group of faithful down from Su Frontigheddu at full speed, first passing through the arch and arriving at the sanctuary with great confidence. The other stages were also conducted impeccably: the laps around the church, the descent towards Sa Muredda, and the final climb back up to the church.

These were moments of faith and emotion for the large army of adults and children, as well as entire families who did not want to miss the opportunity to pay their vows to the holy warrior. The Ardia began at 7:30 a.m. in Piazza San Giovanni with the handing over of the banners, enlivened by a noisy and colorful procession, preceded by religious, civil, and military authorities, riflemen, and the Calangianus marching band.

At the end of the race, the flags participated in the thanksgiving mass in the sanctuary, celebrated by Don Battista Mongili, who replaced the parish priest Don Maurizio Demartis, still recovering from the injury he suffered at the end of the Ardia on July 7th.

The town's long-running festival thus concludes with a positive outcome, and Mayor Salvatore Pes thanked everyone, along with the municipal administration, who made it possible. "This event," Pes emphasized, "is one of the most significant in recent years and has once again demonstrated the strength of a tradition that is not simply an event, but a part of Sardinia's identity, its religious and cultural heritage."

At the conclusion of the celebrations, the mayor initially thanked the community and all those involved: from the parish priest, Don Maurizio, to Bishop Corrado Melis, the Prioress and the Council of San Costantino, the parish choir, the Santu Antinu association, SOS Fusileris, the Civil Protection volunteers, the police, the medical staff, the Red Cross, Forestas, the Forestry Corps, Barracelli, Areus, and the entire community. "A special thanks goes to sas Pandelas, sas Iscortas, and all the knights for their great sense of responsibility."

Pes reminds us that this is the last Ardia of the council term. "We extend our best wishes to those who will take up the baton for a constant, responsible, and fruitful commitment to its protection and enhancement."

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