The BMW Brandini Trophy awarded to Marta Bernardi and Samuele Oskar Cassi as the first residents from the Florence area
FLORENCE – The emotions of the 41st Estra Firenze Marathon are still in the air, an edition that recorded a new milestone with 10,195 marathon runners and around 12,000 athletes crossing the finish line, including those competing in the 10K Estra Firenze Marathon.
Alongside the traditional podiums — this year topped by Italian international Badr Jaafari (Atl. Casone Noceto) in the men’s race and Ethiopia’s Tsega Desta Mheari in the women’s race — a special award was also presented: the BMW Brandini Trophy, assigned by the local dealership to the first male and female athletes residing in the Province of Florence.
The Brandini Group has long been closely connected to the Firenze Marathon, a partnership that has lasted for many years and continues to grow alongside the city, driven by shared core values: commitment, inclusion, sustainability and a passion for sport.
The awards ceremony
The BMW Brandini Trophy awards ceremony took place this morning, December 12, at the BMW dealership of the Brandini Group, where the athletes were presented with their awards by Giovanni Baroni, BMW Brandini Dealer Operator.
“It is a great honour for me to award, in our House of BMW, two athletes of the highest level. We are proud of our collaboration with Firenze Marathon: these athletes represent excellence within the Florentine area and perfectly embody BMW’s values and standards, in line with Brandini’s commitment to strengthening and enhancing its bond with the local community,” he said.
In the women’s category, the BMW Brandini Trophy was awarded to Marta Bernardi (GS Le Panche Castelquarto), fifth overall, first Italian finisher and first woman residing in the Florence area. Bernardi completed the race in 2:47:29.
“I’m very happy with the result I achieved at the 2025 Firenze Marathon. Finishing as the first Italian woman in my home race in Florence adds even more satisfaction to my fifth-place overall result. I thank BMW Brandini for this Trophy, which will always remind me of this achievement,” she commented.
In the men’s race, Samuele Oskar Cassi (GP Parco Alpi Apuane) celebrated receiving the Trophy thanks to an outstanding performance that saw him cross the finish line in 2:25:41, a time that marked a new personal best and earned him 12th place overall.
“The Firenze Marathon is a special race for me — I’m from Florence and I’m always happy to take part. This year it was a perfect race: I also set a new personal record, the crowd support was incredible, and I can still feel the emotions on my skin,” said Samuele Cassi, winner of the BMW Brandini Trophy. “Being honoured here today fills me with pride, and I thank the Brandini Group for creating this Trophy.”