The small village of Casto, in Savallese valley in the north of Italy, is located at 400m of altitude and surrounded by Nasego and Prealba that rise to 1,500m. In this remote area of the Italian prealps every year the best mountain runners gather to compete for Trofeo Nasego. In the past 20 years the race became a tradition for all the fans of mountain running, but for the casual fans remains an obscure Italian race.
As we continue our series on race directors, we got together with Alex Scolari to know more about the race and its main characters.
Il Trofeo Nasego takes place in Casto, a small village of 1,600 inhabitants. How is the race connected to the local community and what represents the people of Casto?
The Trofeo Nasego is primarily a challenge for the local community. When the current organization took over its management in 2015, the Trofeo Nasego was already an event with many editions and champions in its history, but its organizational standards were far from what they have become since. Joining FIDAL (the Italian Athletics Federation) and then World Mountain Running Athletics (WMRA) marked the beginning of a continuous growth trajectory. The people of Casto, especially those from the nearby small villages like Comero, Alone, Famea, Briale, and Auro, see the Trofeo Nasego as an opportunity to showcase their territory and create something unique and spectacular. For an entire weekend, the event brings entertainment, fun, and connection, all centered around the large tent that hosts the awards, events, and post-race celebrations. For the locals, this is a sacred moment when they open their hearts and doors to the world of mountain running, sharing their enthusiasm for celebrating together.
Are there events you admire and draw inspiration from to improve the Trofeo Nasego?
The Trofeo Nasego, as we know it today, has an elder sibling: the Fletta Trail. The event is held in Malonno and has been our inspiration for everything, from the race format to how we narrate the event and the athletes’ stories. For us, the focus is on the two races, the athletes’ performances, and how each champion interprets the race, the territory, and the celebration. For two days, it’s all about mountain running: celebrating the winners, applauding those who fight until the end, and encouraging those who may have had an off day but remain heroes and idols here. It’s all about the sport.
Since 2022, Patrick Kipngeno and Andrea Mayr have dominated Trofeo Nasego, two of the world’s strongest athletes. How have you managed to attract athletes of this caliber?
For the reasons mentioned above: athletes are revered here. We offer excellent hospitality, support, a generous prize pool, and visibility through intense media and social activity. The names you mentioned are certainly two super champions, but we must not forget that Andrea and Patrick have competed here against athletes like Petro Mamu, Joyce Njeru, Philemon Kiriago, Grayson Murphy, Sylvain Cachard, Andreu Blanes, Cesare Maestri, Francesco Puppi, Andy Douglas, Scout Adkin, Xavier Chevrier, and the Dematteis twins. I could go on forever. Over the years, we’ve had lineups second only to Sierre-Zinal, another event that serves as an absolute benchmark for us.
Which edition is the most special to you?
It’s impossible to choose. There have been countless unforgettable moments for various reasons. The 2021 edition, with Grayson Murphy debuting at Nasego, was one of the most thrilling moments. Those two days of competition against Andrea Mayr felt like witnessing an epic duel between two athletes of the highest caliber and a preview of what would unfold at the 2023 World Championships in Innsbruck. Petro Mamu’s race that year is also historic, as is when Andreu Blanes Reig came in 2022, just days after beating Kilian Jornet at Sierre Zinal. He pushed hard for the first 6 km before eventually slowing down, finishing in the top ten, and bowing to the fans on stage, acknowledging that Nasego is no easy feat. And let’s not forget Alessandro Rambaldini’s 2018 victory, defying all odds and fulfilling a dream for him and the local supporters.
How do you see the race evolving over the next five years?
It’s impossible to predict, given the constant changes in this sport. If Nasego remains true to its values and genuine spirit, it may never become a mass phenomenon, but it won’t fade away either.
Trail running—and mountain running by extension—is expanding and evolving rapidly, with all the implications that brings. How would you assess the current state of the sport?
Frankly, it’s a critical situation. Every event hopes to sustain itself with participation numbers that are often unrealistic for certain locations or organizations. The Dolomites and Mont Blanc are unique and already have too many events. Mimicking them is counterproductive. Mega-events dominate the scene now, and like it or not, that’s what the market demands. We try to follow different principles, but it’s not always easy.
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