Cesare Giombetti - March 2025

This month’s star Dasher is our Italian Stallion, Cesare Giombetti. Cesare is a very busy chap but he often appears at local fell and road races and enjoys Brian’s hill sessions on a Monday when he can make it 

March 2025 Cesare Giombetti

1. Do you have a nickname?

I’ve had many nicknames because my surname was not typical in Sardinia where I grew up. I had several nicknames like Giomby, John, Giombe, etc. untiI met my wife 22 years ago and she randomly started to call me Cippi (pronounced Chippy), but I cannot use it here because people can start to make orders for fish and chips and I am not good at that.

2. What is your favourite piece of running kit/equipment?

I am very old-fashioned so I use a normal watch with no Garmin or GPS etc, BUT good shoes are important and I love my current Brooks trainers (thanks to my daughter and wife because it was their present )

3. What is your favourite race and why?

Preston 10k, especially my second one 10 years ago when I used to live there. I missed only a few years. Then the iconic and crazy Darwen Half Marathon: I love it. And finally, my daughter suggested the Winter Warmer 10k, because once I did it with her (she was 5yo I think).

4. Any PBs that you are most proud of? (race or distance)

Mad March Hare 5k, Preston – 25.58

I was also 1st in my age group in the Darwen Tri 5k

My best half (the second Darwen Half Marathon I did)

And Tatton Park 10k (53 mins and something)

5. What has been your worst running injury?

Nothing too bad from running but a few from wrestling that affected my running. I once ran a 10k with painful ribs, perhaps broken, and it wasn't a pleasure at all.

6. Improving Dasher to keep an eye on?

No idea, sorry. Unfortunately I'm too busy I can only rarely join the other Dashers .

7. Where is the most exotic place that you have ever been for a run?

Okay, the most exotic from my perspective is maybe Inverness. Normal for me, but maybe exotic for you, Sardinia, running on some paths made by sheep with fragrant Mediterranean shrubs and 40 degree heat!

8. Highlight of your running career so far

I have improved a lot in recent years, as I’ve learned a lot about running techniques and logistics so I’m now running with much more awareness.

9. Any hobbies we don’t know about?

How many lines can I use? Okay, the main ones: art, reading novels, comics, listening to and playing music, wrestling & watching Rugby (Union, sorry)

10. Interesting fact about yourself

I may be the fastest Italian Darwen Dasher of all time?

11. Most interesting job (past or present)

I have worked in social care, graphics, and I have been an Italian tutor and a translator.

12. Dashers you admire and why

I don't know that many Dashers but I know Brian Morris – he’s a legend!

13. Any future running ambition?

I want to run for many years and maybe one day train for a full marathon.

14. Favourite song on your playlist to run to?

I don't listen to any music whilst I run but sometimes I sing in my mind. One song that often comes into my head is Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden, even if heavy metal is not my favourite genre.

15. Which person, past or present, would you most like to run with?

I enjoy running with Brian and the other Dashers, but also with some friends of mine, and hopefully one day more regularly with my daughter. One day I would like to run more with the other Dashers, but I have too many hobbies & jobs at the moment.

16. Best thing about the Darwen Dashers

It's a very active group and I think what they do is crucial for Darwen. Sport and social activities are very very important.

17. Any running (or other) superstitions?

Okay, this is question number 17 and in Italy, number 17 brings bad luck! No, I am not superstitious at all. I believe only in the material world and scared about things I can touch. No rituals either before running.

18. Your perfect, indulgent, post run meal

Okay, everyone can guess that it's obviously pasta! Which one? One of the many, but a PROPER Carbonara can be the perfect one.

19. One piece of advice for a new runner

Don't overdo it and learn to cope with the repetition. Consistency pays off more than blasting at the beginning and quitting after a while.

20. Sum yourself up in 5 words

I can use my favourite quote from one of my favourite Italian comics (Mister No): “He is irascible, tolerant, quarrelsome and a pacifist“. Yes, only 4 words, so the 5th can be: chaotic