Race to become the Zero Hunger Generation

World Food Week came to a close in Rome with the Zero Hunger Run (ZHR), held on World Food Day, 16 October. Over 2,400 runners from all over expressed their solidarity in the fight against world hunger and malnutrition through their participation in this year’s run through the historical centre of Rome.

Organized by FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WFP), and Bioversity International - with the technical support of Gruppo Sportivo Bancari Romani (GSBR), the official gunshot blasted at precisely 10:00 on a bright Sunday morning, outside the historic Baths of Caracalla, beside FAO headquarters.

The event was divided into two races: a 10 km competitive race and a 5 km non-competitive race/walk, making it easy for all people, regardless of their fitness level, to join in the fun.

Awards were presented to the fastest runners of the day; the top ten men, the top ten women and the top ten registered groups were all recognized for their efforts. First place winner the men’s group was awarded to Domenico Liberatore, followed by Robin Trapletti in second and Gabriele Granella in third. From the Women’s group, Alessia Pistilli took first place, followed by Francesca Labianca in second and Elisabetta Beltrame in third.

Proceeds from this year’s edition of the Zero Hunger Run have been donated to an FAO project in Uganda that builds the capacities of secondary school teachers and students to cope with climate change. The project aims to improve nutrition, increase awareness about climate change and climate change adaptation practices and boost incomes through school gardens and training.

Other partners who contributed to this successful event included the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Roma Capitale, the FAO Staff Coop, the European Delegation in Rome, the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) and Rome Business School.

Formerly known as the "Run for Food" and then the "Hunger Run", the event was renamed this year to recall the commitment of 193 nations to the Sustainable Development Goals and their pledge to end hunger by 2030. With this new name, the UN Rome-based agencies are sending a strong message to the public: we can end hunger in our lifetime and become the Zero Hunger Generation, but everyone needs to work together to achieve this goal.

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