Client: Milano Marathon

The New 'Sustainable' Trophy of the Milan Marathon

The XIV SuisseGas Milan Marathon features a trophy created through a design competition organized by RCS Sport and Pubblicità Italia (Tvn Media Group). The contest called for the design of an object that is environmentally friendly while also reflecting the values of sports.

The project’s foundational idea is based on the material that makes up the route of the marathon, dating back to the time of Pheidippides in 490 BC: earth. The trophy is made from a portion of earth that has formed over millions of years: Candoglia marble, a white-pink stone extracted from the quarries in Val d’Ossola. This stone is renowned for its exclusive use in the construction of the Milan Cathedral.

Today, the Fabbrica del Duomo manages the extraction and processing of marble for the sculptural elements needed for restoration and replacement of parts of the grand Milanese church. The trophy is crafted from quarry waste resulting from the finishing of blocks, known as "scorza," which is typically discarded due to its imperfections.

The project highlights the value of recovered natural materials, working only three-quarters of the surface into geometric, regular shapes that reflect humanity's interaction with nature. Each piece is treated and finished by hand. Over the years, the design of the trophy will remain consistent yet always unique, as each block of stone is naturally different and irreplaceable, much like a fingerprint.