Azure flag 2024, one of 11 towns who won this award for running and walking facilities.

Citizen well-being through availability of running and walking trails: here are the cities that will receive the award.

This acknowledgment attests the commitment to promote running and walking facilities with the aim of improving citizens’ well-being through outdoor activities. Following the evaluation process, 11 municipalities from across Italy have been selected for the Azure Flag award, among those who submitted applications and provided guarantees on initiatives and routes, subject to review by experts from the Italian Athletics Federation and ANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities).

These are the 11 cities that will officially receive the Azure Flag during the year: Belvedere Marittimo (CS), Cinisello Balsamo (MI), Collecorvino (PE), Como, Corigliano-Rossano (CS), Locri (RC), Manduria (TA), Montecatini Terme (PT), Sansepolcro (AR), Tortoreto (TE), Vittoria (RG). For Cinisello Balsamo, this is the second Blue Flag after the one received in 2020.

“I am delighted to personally present this symbol of sport and socialisation to each community involved,” said Maurizio Damilano, the project’s creator and manager. “The Azure Flag is not just an award for what has been done, but above all, it is an incentive to do more to ensure that sport gains full involvement of the citizenship. The Azure Flag encourages everyone to live better, it is a positive message for young people to approach sports with awareness, because engaging in sports activities is already a victory!”

“It is with great pleasure we welcome these eleven new towns that have firmly believed in the value of running and walking,” commented Stefano Mei, president of FIDAL. “We are confident that, the quality of life for citizens can be improved in these splendid locations and that sports will be at the centrepart of life for both young and old alike. We congratulate the mayors and local administrations that have embraced the Azure Flag project and we renew our thanks to ANCI for enthusiastically accompanying us in this edition.” “The assignment of the Azure Flag 2024 to the 11 towns that have passed the selection, ensuring routes for outdoor running activities for a better quality of life for their citizens, gives us so much pride,” said Roberto Pella, vice president of ANCI. “This important recognition, fully backed by ANCI, rewards the work of town administrations committed to promoting running and walking as tools for well-being and healthy lifestyles.”