From smoking to ultra: the race that changed my life

D: Hello! Your story is extraordinary: from smoker to ultra-runner. How did it all start?  

R: Hi! It all started at the age of 40, when I decided to stop smoking. I was tired of feeling limited and wanted to do something for myself. Running was almost a random choice, but from the very first steps I realised that it could become so much more. It was not easy at the beginning: every metre felt like a mountain, but I fell in love with the feeling of freedom and challenge that running gives you.  

D: Reaching 7th place in the 100km Sahara is an incredible result. How do you approach a race like that?  

R: The 100km Sahara is not just a race, it is an inner journey. Running in the desert brings you face to face with extreme conditions: heat, wind, sand, but above all with your mental limits. I prepared myself hard, both physically and psychologically. Specific training, tests on nutrition and hydration, simulations in hot environments. An important part was played by my athletic trainer (Roberto Malcotti) and my nutritionist (Dr Andrea Zeni). But the most difficult part was the mental management: after hours of running, when your whole body is telling you to stop, it is your head that has to decide to go on. Seventh place was the result of a determination built step by step. 

D: You have also run the Passatore, the 100km Asolo and many other ultra trails. What is the race that has changed you the most?  

R: I would say the Passatore, without a doubt. It is a historic race with a unique charm. Running 100km among breathtaking landscapes, passing through small villages, with the warmth of the people along the way is an indescribable emotion. It was my first real 100km and it taught me a lot: the management of rhythm, energy and the importance of listening to your body.  

D: You didn't stop at running: you founded the sports company Stivo Running. What does this company mean to you?  

R: Stivo Running is my way of giving something back to running. I founded it together with some friends to create a community where everyone, from the beginner to the experienced athlete, can feel part of something special. It's not just a team, it's a family. The aim is to organise shared training and to see people grow, overcome their limits and have fun together. Somewhere I read a phrase, ‘Run with your heart, win with your soul.’ Here, this is what I would like to become the motto of Stivo Running.

D: In 2025 you have ambitious goals: Passatore, 100km in the Alps and a 100km in the desert non-stop. How do you prepare for such big challenges?  

R: Preparing for races like these requires planning and discipline. At the Passatore I want to improve my time, so I'm working on speed and managing the climbs. For the 100km in the Alps I will focus on altimetry and muscular endurance. The 100km in the desert non-stop will be a completely different challenge: without stages, I will have to refine my nutrition and hydration strategy. Each goal motivates me to give my best and to discover new aspects of myself.  

D: Do you have a message for those who dream of starting to run or get involved?  

R: Yes, and it is very simple: it is never too late to change. I started running when I was 40 years old, as a former smoker, and now I am here doing ultra trails. Every step you take forward is a victory. It doesn't matter how slow or difficult the start is: the important thing is to believe in it, be patient and don't give up. Running teaches you a lot, not only about the road, but especially about yourself.