On the morning after the National Day of Remembrance, Lillo Montalto Monella joined more than 3,000 runners gathered in Buenos Aires for the annual Carrera de Miguel, an 8km run in memoriam of Miguel Sanchez, 25, marathoner, poet and political activist who disappeared during the last dictatorship, in 1978.
Created in 2000 by an Italian journalist, Valerio Piccioni, it is a trans-national event that takes place annually in various Argentine cities – Tucumán, Bariloche, Quilmes – as well as having also been run also in Barcelona, in the United States and in the earthquake-hit city of L’Aquila, Italy.
Elvira and Ramon Sanchez were also present at the event to give their testimony about the figure of the disappeared brother. “Miguel’s name is already known in many different places. We are here to make sure it will never be forgotten,” Elvira Sanchez said.
Valerio Piccioni summed up the spirit of the event: “We are here to promote Manuel’s values: it is not important to win, but that everybody has shoes to try.” He also shared his disappointed in the municipality of Buenos Aires for not being supportive enough in terms of proper advertising of the event.
“Many people did not even know about it. We came all the way from Italy with 5,000 flyers that we distributed in the streets in the last few days. I’m a guest, so therefore I’m deeply grateful for what the city government has done so far. Still, it is a bit hypocrital: an event of this kind has to be organised properly.”
On Friday, the street where the run took place, Crisólogo Larralde, has been renamed after Miguel Sanchez. “This was important for the event promotion, as many journalists came down and spred the word around right before the run,” Piccioni said.
Elvira Sanchez, sister of Miguel Sanchez, with an older runner.
A few moments before the start.
Stretching to warm up for the race.
The starting point.
La Carrera de Miguel was open to disabled people as well.
Posters of Miguel Sanchez
A child offers support along the Carrera de Miguel.
After the run.
Two children brought about by activists of the group La Poderosa.
Piccioni and Elvira delivering the final speech in remembrance of Miguel Sanchez.
The creator of the run, Valerio Piccioni, and Miguel's brother, Ramon.
