Later this month, five bold women will compete against their own past performance while running for four days in the Israeli desert. Negev Adventure, a collaboration between leading Italian women’s magazine Donna Moderna and the Israeli National Tourist Office, was designed for women seeking to challenge themselves to new levels.

Israel-based nylon manufacturer Nilit, maker of Sensil premium nylon 6.6, is also a sponsor of the race. “Sensil Innergy is a technical fabric that uses far-infrared technology to gently reflect the naturally emitted thermal energy back to the body, improving the oxygenation of muscles for peak performance during athletic activity and aiding post-workout recovery,” said Pierluigi Berardi, Marketing Vice President for Sensil and an avid runner himself.

“Sensil is strong and resilient, yet soft and comfortable. It is for people who want to feel great while they push past their limits, whether they’re running in the Negev desert or through the streets of a city.”

Pushing limits

Beginning in June, Donna Moderna began offering training guides providing advice on athletic training, nutrition and mental techniques for getting prepared in the best way possible. Hundreds of women runners, from beginning joggers to experienced racers, participated in weekly formal training sessions held in Turin, Pescara and Palermo, with guidance on stretching, posture, breathing and nutrition from Olympic triathlon champion Daniel Fontana, elite marathoner Luisa Balsamo and top runner Anna Incerti.

“Donna Moderna's mission is to encourage women to push their own limits, and to make the most of their abilities and potential in all areas of their lives,” said project director Annalisa Monfreda.

“Doing physical activity is an excellent way to build determination. It puts us face-to-face with the limits of our body and teaches us that, with discipline and passion, we can overcome them. We have chosen running for this project not only because it is extremely popular at this moment, but also because it is one of the most democratic sports, not requiring any special type of facility or equipment, and is very gratifying on so many levels.”

Performance, quality, and aesthetics

Event organisers selected five women aged 21 to 42 for the ultimate prize, a trip to Israel to participate in an 80-km run through the Negev Desert, during which they will navigate a wild and extreme landscape wearing high-performance BV Sport activewear made with Sensil Innergy nylon 6.6 performance fabric.

“We are delighted to welcome to Israel these talented runners and their coaches for this exciting conclusion to their training and preparation,” said Ilan Melamed, General Manager of Nilit. “I can’t imagine a more fitting backdrop against which to demonstrate the performance, quality, and aesthetics of Sensil than the beautiful but demanding landscape of the Negev.”

“The Negev is a magnificent and extraordinary desert, an unimaginable place, carved out of Israel’s beautiful natural beauty, where every woman can find her own physical and spiritual dimension,” said Avital Kotzer Adari, Director of the Israeli National Tourist Office. “It is the perfect setting for discovery, whether for outdoor pursuits or for exploring archaeological sites, parks and priceless gems of nature.”

Finalists

The five Negev Adventure finalists are: Francesca Valassi, 34, originally from Voghera, now working at a bank in Milan, started running in high school and recently discovered cycling. Elisa Adorni, 37, a doctor in architecture, physical therapy and sports sciences from Parma, realised not long ago she had a talent for running. Federica Verdoya, 21, is a student from Genoa who would one day love to be in the sports division of the Forestry Corps. Arianna Bianchini, 29, from Tuscany, works in a communications agency in Milan and began running several years ago when an autoimmune sickness caused her to gain a lot of weight. Eleonora Suizzo, 42, of San Gregorio di Catani, is a former personal manager who recently fulfilled her dream of owning a fashion boutique and has been running since the age of 12.

“BV Sport is thrilled to be providing running apparel made of Sensil Innergy to these talented and multi-faceted athletes,” said Nicolas Corona, General Manager of BV Sport. “The garments that will be worn by the runners, ambassadors and coaches have been carefully engineered for comfort and performance, allowing them to perform at their personal best and reach new heights of achievement.”

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www.nilit.com

Further reading

Sensil helps women push their own limits