BUT Formazza: Here We Go!
10 July 2026The 2026 edition of the race organised by Formazza Event has come to a successful close
A beautiful sunny day, only briefly interrupted by a few thunderstorms, welcomed nearly 800 trail runners to Upper Val Formazza for the 19th edition of BUT Formazza, which has just concluded in Valdo di Formazza, Italy.
BUT Walser Ultra: Dominant victories for Manfredi Negri and Criscuolo
The longest race, covering 56.57 km with 3,436 m of elevation gain, was dominated by Luca Manfredi Negri and Alessia Criscuolo.
After a cautious opening section, the Lombardy runner made his decisive move on the second climb towards Rifugio 3A, at nearly 3,000 metres above sea level, crossing the finish line in 7:04:32. Francesco Viscomi (Sport Project VCO), a regular front-runner in Formazza races, finished second in 7:15:33, while Luca Sogni (ASD Run Fast) completed the men’s podium in 7:30:36.
The women’s race was a solo performance by the “flying mum” Alessia Criscuolo (Amatori Sport ASD), who set the pace from the very beginning and claimed victory in 8:16:36. Martina Rossi finished second in 9:10:11, while Serena Moirano (Quadrettoni Team Bortolan ASD) secured third place in 9:50:46.
A total of 105 athletes registered, with 93 starters in the Ultra race.
Pinton and Locatelli take the honours in the BUT Walser Marathon
The second-longest event, the BUT Walser Marathon (43.62 km, 2,745 m of elevation gain), attracted 117 registered athletes, with 110 starters, and was also dominated by two outstanding performances.
Representing Kailas Fuga Mountain Club – ASD Run Fast, Gianluca Pinton had no rivals, taking victory in 4:53:35. Ivan Panzeri (Polisportiva Moving SSD) finished second in 5:18:15, while Ruben Mellerio (ASD Bognanco) claimed third place in 5:23:37.
In the women’s race, Sara Locatelli (Sport Project VCO), third in 2025 and winner in 2024, delivered another outstanding performance, winning in 5:31:15 and improving her previous best by around 30 minutes. Laura Barale (ASD Borgaretto 75) finished second in 6:01:08, while Francesca Minocci completed the podium in 6:06:56.
BUT Walser Race: Switzerland and Formazza in the spotlight
A local athlete celebrated victory in the 24 km race (1,320 m elevation gain), as Filippo Piumarta (Sport Project VCO), born and raised in Formazza, stopped the clock in 2:15:04. Francesco Ciocca (ASD Cairasca) finished second in 2:19:27, followed by Federico Mussi (GSA Valsesia) in 2:20:25.
In the women’s race, Swiss runner Anne Catherine Rigort (Cantoni Grigioni) claimed victory in 2:41:20, ahead of Carlotta Sormani (2:46:43) and Daniela Bravi (Crusher Running ASD, 2:53:41).
The race was completely sold out, with 459 registered athletes and 419 starters.
BUT Walser Mini: The results
The shortest race of the day (6 km, 250 m elevation gain) recorded 109 registrations and 90 starters. Gianluca Dal Bosco (Atletica 3V) won the men’s race in 31:03, ahead of Loris Iacchini and Nicholas Rollini. In the women’s race, Elena Soffia claimed victory in 37:28, ahead of Sweden’s Stina Eiksonn and Asia Valci. In the Under-12 category, Martino Antonini took the win ahead of Francesco Minetti and Samuele Liuzza, while Ginevra Gasparetto won the girls’ race, finishing ahead of Bianca Giaraina and Greta Angelini.
BUT is also about solidarity
During the awards ceremony, organisers announced that thanks to the BUT Warm Up, the non-competitive run held on Friday, July 3, and BUT Gourmet, the charity lunch organised in Riale Formazza on July 4, a total of €11,500 was raised.
The proceeds have been donated to the Italian Red Cross – Domodossola Committee to support the purchase of a specialised 4×4 off-road rescue vehicle for mountain rescue operations.
