The word “Chianti” is inextricably associated with wine around the world, unless you are a trail runner. In less than 10 years, Matteo Mattuezzi was able to bring Chianti Ultra Trail to the pinnacle of the sport. The race entered the UTMB circuit last year and this year will award Golden Tickets for Western States. Two achievements that older and more established races might never reach.
As part of our series of interviews with race directors, we discussed how Matteo was able to put Chianti on the trail running global map and what lies ahead for the event.
If you look back to when you started it, how does it feel to see the best trail runners in the world, like Kilian, coming to your race?
I am in disbelief because it wasn’t even imaginable a few years ago. In just one year, we found ourselves entering the UTMB World Series, getting a Golden Ticket first, and then having this list of elite athletes. It’s shaping up to be a historic race, and it’s incredible. The emotions are many and mixed—there’s happiness and satisfaction but also concern because such a high level brings a lot of pressure. If we usually give 200%, this year we will give 300%.
What is the main challenge in organizing this year’s race?
Being in a small region where transport and logistics are already difficult in everyday life, the biggest challenge is ensuring services for all athletes and supporters. We try to prepare for the worst-case scenarios so that we are never caught off guard. We are allocating most of our resources to this area to welcome the global trail community in the best way possible.
Less than two months away from race day. What is your main focus right now?
Fundamentally, we just need to focus on execution. Everything related to organization was decided months ago. Now, we are handling additional services due to the increase in participants and media coverage. In the month leading up to the event, we focus on intensifying trail maintenance so that everything is in perfect condition.
What has been the main challenge over the past two years as the race has grown exponentially in popularity?
The biggest challenge has been with the local community, in terms of making them understand the changes that were happening. The event grew very quickly, always selling out from the start. We started with 700 participants, and in the last edition—before joining the UTMB circuit—we had 2,300. In just five editions, there has been exponential growth. This has required us to take organizational steps forward every year. Entering the UTMB circuit forced us to improve communication, while from an organizational standpoint, we were already in the right place.
Have there been any changes among the participants since Chianti Ultra Trail joined the UTMB circuit?
The race already had an international profile because, in the last edition before joining UTMB, we had 25% of participants coming from 45 different countries. That number has increased, and now, in 2025, foreign participation is at 60%, with runners from over 80 nationalities. Despite this change, what athletes seek has remained the same. Of course, if you consider the entire community of runners, there are those who prefer smaller events and those who enjoy larger ones. Everyone has their own preference and chooses accordingly, so participants know what to expect when they come to our race.
Chianti Ultra Trail entered the UTMB circuit, and now it is a Western States Golden Ticket race. What’s next?
That’s a question I’ve already been asked. At the moment, I wouldn’t know how to answer. Our goal is to keep improving and setting new objectives. There is always room to reach perfection.
How would you rate the current state of trail running as a sport?
I see it as a sport experiencing strong growth, and there is still enormous potential, especially in Italy. The sport is still too hidden from those who don’t know it, and it deserves more visibility. This will happen if several factors align: awareness from those participating in events and growth among organizers.
In Italy, we are already witnessing a generational shift, with older organizers being replaced by new ones. Every day, events shut down because they can no longer sustain themselves. This happens due to an outdated approach to organizing. Today, things have changed. COVID accelerated this process, and I believe it is necessary for young people to not only participate but also get involved in organizing. We need fresh energy and people who know how to use modern tools. I am convinced that soon we will start using artificial intelligence. Sooner or later, someone will implement it and open a new path. Technology will play an increasingly important role. We have already seen this in UTMB, where a specialized software for security has changed our lives. So, it will happen. But for this, we need fresh minds. We can’t expect evolution to come from a generation that works with outdated methods. This applies to races, companies, and everyday life.
My invitation to all those who love this sport and feel even a slight urge is to try organizing. Maybe start by volunteering to understand how this world works. This is a world that needs fresh elements. And, in a way, I am already at my seventh edition, which is not many, but it’s enough to realize how much things evolve. Even though we are relatively young, we are also aware that we are aging.
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