Running together: Aton and GTN at the Telethon relay
10/12/2025
Between Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, the 27th edition of the Telethon Udine 24 x 1 hour relay took place, an event that has supported scientific research into rare genetic diseases for many years. It is a collective 24-hour marathon, non-competitive and open to all, in which each team, made up of 24 people, takes turns for one hour of walking or running.
The last edition raised around €400,000, a figure that in itself speaks volumes about the strength of the event and the community that supports it.
The setting is Udine’s historic city centre: porticoes, historic buildings, lights and a Christmas atmosphere that makes everything even more magical. A lively, well-attended event, organised with great care.
Thanks to the ongoing joint venture and the sponsorship of the initiative by Moira, an independent coach who supports both organisations, Aton decided to take part in the event for the first time, joining GTN (already in its second year of participation). It was a natural choice, born from the values we share, not only in terms of business, but also in the way we put people at the centre.
The experience exceeded all expectations. It was a precious opportunity to have fun together, do some team building and share an enjoyable activity with a strong social impact. It was a truly moving moment; for a whole day we felt part of a community moving in unison towards the same goal.
Taking turns on the track, the atonpeople kept the relay going.
Some broke the ice by running the very first leg, like Gianluca; some set off thinking they would simply go for a gentle walk and instead were swept up by the energy of the circuit, like Marco; and others clocked up kilometre after kilometre at an impressive pace, like Grazia and Stefano.
Some ran braving the cold of the night, enjoying Udine’s Christmas lights, like Giovanni and Gaia, “the Pozzobons”. Others took on the morning slots, breathing in the crispest air of the day, including Francesco and his wife Roberta. There was even a sun-kissed stint, with Sandro and Giuseppe, and those who, carried away by the enthusiasm, decided to stay on the track well beyond their allotted hour – like yours truly.
While we were running or walking, our eyes inevitably fell on the T-shirts of the other participants: slogans, names, dedications. Businesses, associations, families.
Some were running or walking with their own story, whether it was a disability, an illness or a loss. Being side by side gave a different meaning to every step we took.
It was also a moment of great celebration, during which we spent carefree hours together, sharing laughter, stories, jokes and food. And perhaps this is what made the relay so special: experiencing the lightness of the moment and the depth of its purpose at the same time.
An experience that naturally weaves together fun and solidarity.
A heartfelt thank you to GTN for their warm welcome, especially Rodrigo and Elisa, and to Moira for involving us in such a special initiative.
We cannot wait to experience it all again next year 💪
