Francesco Perrone

Francesco Perrone started running in 1950, taking part in local races around his home-town of Cellino San Marco in Bridisi. A former policeman, he completed his military service in 1955 when he took up competitive athletics seriously, having enjoyed success in the Grand Prix of the Regions at Caracalla, Roma in September 1954.

Perrone won his first national title (5,000 metres) in 1955 and retained the title the following year. Already regarded as one of the best Italian middle-distance runners of the time, he went on to capture the Italian 10,000 title in 1957 and, in October that year, set a new Italian 5,000 record of 14:31.0 at Bari. He took part in the famous Saint Silvester Road Race (Corrida) in Saõ Paolo, Brazil on New Year’s Eve 1957, and the following year won the CISM (International Military Sports Council) World Championship in Athens.

Perrone had set his sights on running marathons, however, and in October 1958 won the Italian marathon title. He also competed in cross-country and in 1959 won the Cinque Mulini, one of the most prestigious cross-country races in the world. Perrone finished 37th in the marathon at the 1960 Roma Olympics, and in 1961 won the Italian cross-country title, as well as regaining his national marathon title. He won seven international caps from 1955-61 and, over the years, participated in many national and international meetings to promote sport and athletics amongst young people.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-27:23 (1961).