Badia Race, named after local champion Maria Canins. A brochure was printed for the first time and the week before the competition was filled with many events – not only linked to cycling. 1998 The growing success of the Maratona led the new committee to think of limiting numbers, although the competition retained the same format. It was a splendid day and the help of volunteers made it a perfect race. 1999 The introduction of the Datasport precision timing system, with Datachips that took readings in real time from start to finish. The formula of a cyclists’ week gained even more ground, thanks to sports and entertainment events, as well as collateral events to the Maratona, including the Tenerific Maria Canins, a cycle race for children aged 4 to 12. 2000 - 2005 : The Maratona begins to speak 2000 Some new features included that each edition would have a motto, a key word, theme or special dedication. It began with ‘Living is an Art’. The start was moved to La Villa and the Fedaia Pass was no longer part of the route. The committee established a fixed number of 6,000 participants. Over thirty nationalities took part. However, the edition was marked by a terrible accident: a competitor died while coming down the Giau Pass. 2001 The theme was ‘Magic Lives in Us‘. The fixed number of participants was raised to 7,000. 2002 The edition was dedicated to women and was broadcast live for the first time on RAI3. It was an unexpected success: millions of people discovered the wonders of the route wedged between the Dolomites. All future editions of the Maratona dles Dolomites would be broadcast live on T.V. 2003 The Maratona was dedicated to the differently-abled and was twinned with the New York Marathon. Organisers introduced anti-doping tests. 2004 The family was the focus of the edition. All three routes were closed to traffic for the first time. The maximum number of participants was increased to 8,000 and registration ended in one week. 2005 The edition of the Maratona was dedicated to ‘angels’. There was also another new feature: given the growing number of participants and requests to take part, the committee introduced a draw system, so participants could only take part if their name was drawn. The decision was a little controversial at the time. 2006 - 2010 : The modern age 2006 The edition took