AN ITALIAN MAN who went missing after the New York Marathon was found days later disorientated and confused on the subway.
In a lucky coincidence, he was found by a police officer who had been reading about him on his phone.
Gianclaudio Marengo (30) had been reported missing by his group of fellow runners from Italy after the New York City marathon on Sunday.
He only speaks Italian and was in the city as part of a group from San Patrignano.
The centre described Marengo in a statement as “a fragile person, vulnerable and very emotional who after years of drug abuse had found an opportunity for recovery in San Patrignano”.
In running, “he had discovered a new passion”, which led to him taking part in the New York City Marathon.
Marengo was in good health when he was found, but was hospitalised for precautionary check ups. Though some reports described Marengo using the phrase “mentally disabled”, San Patrignano said he “was not suffering from any mental disorder, was not subjected to psychiatric treatment or placed on any kind of pharmaceuticals”.
Getting lost
Marengo told the centre that during the race he lost the note with directions on how to take the subway back to the hotel. He couldn’t find his teammates, so slept on the street for one night, before going to the airport where he hoped to meet the group.
But as he had no documents, he had to leave the airport, and spent another night on the street.
Discovered
As he stood in the subway, he was spotted by police officer Man Yam, who was on his way to work. He spotted Marengo sitting across from him and realised the Italian man – still wearing his running clothes – looked distressed, he told the New York Times.
“I was just doing what any person, man or woman, whether in my department or not, would do,” the officer told the newspaper.
Marengo was due to fly back to Italy with his friend from the centre, medic Antoni Boschini.
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