[Advendure]: Matteo, the inaugural edition of the race took place in 2018, and here we are in 2025 with the Chianti Ultra Trail now part of the prestigious "by UTMB" series since last year. We’ve been partners since the very beginning, witnessing your remarkable rise. For our runners and readers who may not be as familiar with your journey, could you share a bit about the race’s historical evolution and highlight the key milestones that you believe have contributed to its success?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: That was an incredible journey, beginning with a friend over a bottle of Chianti. We had a discussion and made a bet on the opportunity to organize a race in the Chianti area. I embarked on this challenging work, facing many closed doors, but over the years, the success of the race made me realize the true value of my idea.

An ultra-trail race through the Chianti vineyards, crossing ancient villages, forests, and castles—a journey through our history and traditions.

The first year: sold out. The second year: sold out. Then, COVID.

We struggled to organize a special COVID edition in 2021, yet we managed to sell out again. The same happened in 2022 and 2023, reaching 2,300 runners.

In 2023, we had the opportunity to speak with UTMB, and shortly after that year’s edition, we began a collaboration that brought us into the UTMB World Series, with our first edition welcoming 4,000 runners.

One month after the race, I went to Chamonix for meetings with the UTMB team. There, I was informed about Western States' interest in including Chianti Ultra Trail as a Golden Ticket race. I was surprised and incredulous, but I didn’t focus too much on it—I was fully immersed in planning an even better 2025 edition, if possible.

And now, I realize this is the pinnacle of trail running. The greatest runners will race in my event—my dream, coming true in 2025. What a dream!

[Advendure]: Since we mentioned your inclusion in the “by UTMB” series starting in 2024, what was your experience like last year? How did it benefit the race, and in your opinion, is it truly worth investing such a significant financial commitment for an event to be part of this prestigious series?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: Last year confirmed that we had done great work before. In the previous edition, we didn’t grow much in terms of organization, but we significantly enhanced the professionalism of staff and volunteers, as well as the branding management for UTMB and its partners.

In my opinion, it’s a major commitment in all aspects—not only financially—but for the territory, it's the most important event of the year. For a region that thrives on tourism, it's an opportunity to work during the low season and boost the area's popularity.

Truly, the best decision ever made.

[Advendure]: You offer a wide range of races, with the flagship being the 120K course (+5,200m). Could you share with us the philosophy behind designing each route, and particularly for the longest one, what are its key highlights?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: It all started with the longest race. Initially, it was 73 km, but it later became 120 km to complete a full tour of the Chianti Castles. Chianti was a military stronghold of Florence during its battles with Siena, giving us a long and significant history—one that we showcase through our UTCC route.

The shorter races follow the same path but with fewer kilometers and less elevation, offering a great opportunity to experience the event without the demands of a 120 km race. Less time, fewer kilometers, but still an incredible experience.

From 10 km to 120 km, no runner will miss the emotions of these beautiful places.

[Advendure]: This year, you introduced a new 10-kilometer route—the Chianti Wine Run—on Friday evening. Could you share some details about this addition?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: This is the first edition of the shortest race ever in the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB schedule. I wanted to offer an easier opportunity for runners, even for those experiencing their first race or first trail running event, while still capturing the amazing atmosphere of the night—illuminated by the lights of the castle of Radda in Chianti.

[Advendure]: The races of your event have been sold out for quite some time now—some even just days after registration opened! What do you think drives this extraordinary level of demand?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: I believe the UTMB World Series is incredibly helpful in reaching a wide audience with our campaign. At the same time, with the first edition, all trail runners saw the images and videos of the lucky ones who ran here in 2024.

Our region is one of the most fascinating places in the world—rich in tourism, nature, and culture, not to mention its incredible food and, of course, its exceptional wines (as you know).

[Advendure]: Aside from Italian athletes, which countries are most represented in this year’s event? Could you share some statistics and numbers on this year’s participants? How many athletes are expected, and are there registrations from Greece again this year, where the event is particularly well-known through Advendure?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: Of course, France, the UK, Spain, Poland, and the USA are at the top, but in 2025, registrations will include up to 80 nationalities, with international runners making up 60% of the field—while Italians account for less than 40%.

Greek participation increases every year, thanks to our collaboration with our friends at Advendure since the very first edition!

[Advendure]: In a conversation we had back in 2018, you mentioned: “Many foreign tourism companies promote a misleading side of Tuscany. We want to extend the tourist season and showcase the more alternative, classic, and authentic Tuscany…” To what extent have you achieved this goal through the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: This objective has been fully achieved over the last two years. Now, we are working on developing projects in the area to promote outdoor tourism beyond the events.

[Advendure]: I also recall from an earlier conversation that you mentioned it wasn’t easy to establish strong collaboration with the local community in Chianti, as they are more focused on wine tourism and a different type of visitors. Has this changed over the years with the success of the event?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: Of course, the economic impact helps a lot in this regard. We’re not in an ideal situation, but things are vastly different from the past. We need to keep working in this direction to prioritize trail running and nature above all.

[Advendure]: In addition to the race, we saw that you organized the first Chianti Trail Camp in December 2024. Could you tell us more about the purpose of this event, whether it was successful, and if you plan to repeat it in 2025? Also, while we’re at it, how much has the race contributed to the rise of trail running in Tuscany?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: Sure! We’ll repeat the trail camp in 2025. It was a unique experience for a limited number of participants, where we took care of everything. It’s an opportunity to connect directly with people—unlike the main event, where we can’t interact with all the runners. This creates a special bond between us and the participants, making it a truly meaningful experience.

[Advendure]: What can we expect this year in terms of athlete services? We noticed a post mentioning an “Official Hospitality Village.” Could you elaborate on what that is? Additionally, what else should athletes and their companions keep in mind when visiting Radda in Chianti?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: As you know, Radda is a very small village with good accommodations, but not enough to support an event like Chianti Ultra Trail. Our goal is to offer the best experience for the runners, and the collaboration with the village plays a key role in helping them find accommodations with all the necessary services. This includes a special free shuttle service for all the athletes and their supporters, not only from the Glamping site but also from nearby villages like Castellina and Gaiole. We aim to reduce car use and minimize the environmental impact in the area of the event.

[Advendure]: We’ve heard that this year’s starting line will feature some of the biggest names in the world of mountain running. Could you share some details with us?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: It’s still early to confirm 100% the participation of the elite athletes, but we know that the current starting list is incredible. We hope to confirm all these athletes, as it could be the first time with such a strong starting line-up in Chianti—and even in any UTMB World Series event.

[Advendure]: Dreams for the future of the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB?

[Matteo Matteuzzi]: It's hard to think about anything beyond this; it’s truly a dream.

Dimitrios Troupis