ROME – The start is in Piazza Bocca della Verità. Then comes Piazza Venezia, Via del Corso, Via del Tritone, the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Circus Maximus. A historic, artistic, and beautiful route that only Rome can offer. A festive atmosphere: this is what remains of the Run for Autism 2026 , in addition to the enthusiasm of the approximately four thousand participants at the start and the joy of having participated in the great celebration.
This story probably has little to do with the cycling we're used to telling, but among the colorful group of runners were several joelettes : special two- or multi-wheeled vehicles that allowed participants with mobility difficulties to participate among the others. And since bici.STYLE's philosophy is to share every experience possible thanks to two wheels, the Run for Autism also became a moment of joy and reflection for us.
"Today we ran the fourteenth edition of the Run for Autism," says Roberta Paesani, vice president of Progetto Filippide, " a unique race, both in Italy and in Europe , because people with and without disabilities compete on the same route, participating in the same way, with the same bib, the same prizes at the finish line, the same medal, the same final ranking, without any distinction. With the joelettes, we want to give even young people who can't run on their own two feet the opportunity to do so with the legs of those accompanying them , crossing Rome and being equally protagonists."
The Philippides Project
For fourteen years, we've been running to reaffirm what is written in Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . Italy has embraced it and passed it into law, establishing the right to participate in sport for people with disabilities on equal terms . Not in an area reserved for them, therefore, but alongside everyone else.
"The event," Paesani continues, "is organized by the Filippide Project , a sports program for people with disabilities . Our goal has always been to open up, to demonstrate that people with disabilities exist in our world and can do things together with everyone else. Among these, sport certainly offers us the greatest opportunities.
A few weeks ago, we followed the Winter Olympics and Paralympics and heard that sport breaks down barriers. We all start from the same starting line; there are no inequalities based on gender, race, or religion . The person who performs the sporting act is an athlete because they practice their sport. We've always believed this, and so we promoted our race with this in mind, inviting many people with disabilities, not just those with autism, despite its name . The Run for Autism is open to all people with disabilities.
Between hard work and smiles
What leaves a lasting impression and puts you in a good mood is the look on the face of those who finish the race. Aside from those who did it to win, the others found themselves in the same group, toiling side by side , exchanging encouragement and smiles, with the wheels of the jockeys rolling alongside the bobbing of those who completed it on foot. Our society excludes, sport embraces . We've talked on other occasions about how associations ( the work of the Franco Ballerini Association of Bari is exemplary ) work specifically with autistic and disabled children, making cycling the key to normality.
"This event allows everyone to participate," Paesani continues, "so beyond the competitors, there are thousands of people running to be together . In the same group, we saw children, we saw many newborns with their families, teenagers, elderly people, and everyone at their own pace. At the finish line, there is no difference; the medal is for everyone because everyone has completed the course, and it is very, very exciting to see them start with enthusiasm and then find them at the finish line all triumphant, winners of their day.
"In Italy," he continues, "we are promoters of this concept of equality in sport for all. We are at the forefront: much progress has been made, but much remains to be done. This is mainly because the facilities aren't there; it's difficult to afford the costs, to have gyms, swimming pools, and sports fields. Within the Italian Paralympic Committee, there is the Federation of Intellectual and Relational Paralympians , which also includes us with our activities for people with autism, who participate in a wide range of sports at various levels."
Solidarity and service
The Filippide Project is associated with the United Nations and participates annually in the Conference of Member States on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which takes place in New York in June. In this context, Italy is highly regarded for its laws , the many activities it carries out, and the social solidarity they foster.
"There are always many volunteers on the Road," the story continues, "because the journey is long. There are women and men from the Red Cross, Civil Protection, and even scout groups. For them in particular, it is a form of service, one of the key elements of their very being. Today they have done it on various levels: practical, technical, collecting garbage, carrying bins, providing water, but also personally working alongside people with disabilities.
"It's not the first time. The Roma 64 group has always been very close to the Filippide Project, because I too am a former scout from that group ," Paesani smiles now, "so we sow seeds and always find a response and a welcome."
Rome welcomed the Run for Autism with curiosity and warmth. Sport is a republic unto itself, living on values and solidarity unknown in (supposedly) civilian life . Any race or event on the Road brings together the most diverse people, who for those few hours are united by their passion and are not divided by wealth.
Fatigue is the most democratic judge : in running together this day in Rome, we felt the desire to share the experience and feel part of one body. Perhaps tomorrow everything will return to normal, with the hope, however, that the flame lit by the Run for Autism will help bridge distances and open eyes and hearts.
