26th October 2013 11:00
It was the first time Italy had taken the title in the men’s senior race, with Lalli smiling as he draped the national flag around him painting a glorious picture on a crisp Hungarian morning.
Sunday, Lalli a versatile long-distance runner, will face the challenge of competing in his first marathon this year in Venice.
Now 26, Lalli’s new venture at the 28th Venice Marathon will see him face favoured Kenyan Titus Masai, who was second last year behind Philemon Kipchumba Kisang.
Kisang has not returned to defend his title but Daniel Wanjiru, Nixon Machichim and Raymond Kandi are three more tough Kenyans who will certainly be among the leaders.
Breaking this new ground could lead Lalli to the European Athletics Championships in Zurich next summer where the marathon is likely to be wide open.
He has a half-marathon best of 1:01:11 from Milan last year and is here in Venice after injury prevented him from running the Rome Marathon in March.