Those who practice athletics and, in particular, the middle distance, know it well: the leap in quality comes with patience, meticulousness, following disappointments, difficult moments and heavy workloads. In short words? Nothing is invented but everything is built with extreme abnegation: the Italian marathon record holder Iliass Aouani has built his career on these principles and his record of 2h07'16'' signed on March 19 in Barcelona is full proof of this. Iliass, registered for the Fiamme Azzurre, is a 27-year-old boy whose talent was clearly revealed in a major edition of the Tricolori Juniores on the track in Turin where, at the time in the Atletica Riccardi Milano stable, he made his the first Italian title in the 5000m category with a last 1000m in 2'43''. Breastplate 86, determined gaze, forefinger pointing at the sky: almost as if to give a warning that, after nine years, has turned into reality. For two years having moved to that Ferrara so dear to Gabriele D'Annunzio, Iliass walks serenely, relaxed and at the same time focused on the future: just like when it was a conscious promise to have a sacred fire inside capable of making him make a difference.
Aouani let's start from the Italian record in the marathon of March 19: what were your sensations?
« I had just returned from a very important training cycle, I knew I could overcome myself and be able to perform an efficient test. I was aware of my work, I ran with full concentration and focus on my body and balance. The Italian record is nothing more than the result of painstaking daily work together with my coach Massimo Magani».
Do you think you're worth a time under 2h07''?
" Absolutely, for a number of reasons."
Which?
« The Barcelona marathon is not very fast, the course is not the easiest. Furthermore, I ran the last 12 km alone, the last 3 of which uphill: these are factors that influence an athlete's performance».
You come from a fast middle-distance background: when did you realize that the marathon would be your future?
