Pericle Pagliani

Pericle Pagliani was an Italian marathon runner and Italian long-distance record holder who competed at the 1906 and 1908 Olympics. A newspaper seller in his youth, Pagliani set the Italian record in the 10K in 1904, and then in 1905 set Italian records on the road over 5K, 10K, and in the half-hour. In 1906 he was Italian U.P.I. (Unione Podistica Italiana) champion over 25 kilometers on the track and Italian F.P.I. (Italian Podistica Federation) champion over 25 kilometers on the road.

Pagliani was Italian champion and record holder at 5,000 m in 1908, and in the same year became the first Italian champion in cross-country, a title he also won the following year. In 1910 he won the Italian 20K title. In his career he was opposed by Dorando Pietri and Emilio Lunghi, two Italian great runners of the early 20th century.

Once he returned to his homeland, Pagliani wanted to try his hand at the marathon. On 27 September 1910 in Milano, he finished third with 2-58:23, placing second at the same event in 1911, recording 2-56:48.6. He ran until the age of 43 and won four international caps.