Name: Carmine de Grandis
Hometown: Tornareccio, Italy
Sport: Trail Running
“La vita e’ bella” is my mantra. Life is beautiful and it is to be lived. It is amazing how long one can go without realising what our passions in life are. Spending time outdoors had always been what made me feel happy. Education, Work and Family commitments meant that I did not link the dots between my passion for running and the Great Outdoors until I was 39. Was I too old? Not at all.
Once I realised running outdoors and in the mountains was something that helped me to be “me” I found my “spiritual home”. I have spent the last 10 years running and racing in the Lake District, the Peak District, Scotland, France and Italy. To make this possible, when I am not working, I spend my time training, sharing the North Norfolk Trails with friends or travelling “home” to the mountains. I have particularly enjoyed spending time racing and exploring the Alps, the Dolomites and my beloved Appeninni in Italy.
Through Trail Running and Mountain Running I have made so many friends and shared my passion with the most amazing running community. Whether I am racing with athletes at the top of their game, sharing the “ultra-shuffle” to complete bucket list adventures with friends or raising funds for great causes Trail Running is a very important part of who I am.
I can only do it thanks to the support of my wife, Jenny, my kids and… my running dogs! My ambitions and future projects include setting up my outdoor business “Outdoor Spiritual”, being part the Scarpa team in the UK as well as making sure that at 50 years old I can still continue to be at the top of my game when it comes to Trail Running. “No place too far!” … better I get “Going Long” so that I can continue having amazing Trail Running adventures while being inspired/inspiring others.
Get to know Carmine |
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| I grew up in a small village, Tornareccio, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. However, I have now lived in the UK for more than 25 years, mostly in Aldborough, North Norfolk. A beautiful village surrounded by countryside, trails and the sea. |
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-Projects- |
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| Trail Running, Fell Running, Mountain Running, Ultra Running, Adventure Racing and spending time in the mountain or in nature is what make me happy. Outside of running in nature, I love MTB, Kayak and playing music. I have been known to carry my accordion at the top of mountains and playing for my running friends up there. |
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-Successes- |
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| Since becoming hooked to Off road running I have taken part in 200 races of which the majority are Ultra races. I consider being the 1st Italian to become part of the Bob Graham Round Club and setting the Fastest Known Time Self Supported on the Norfolk Coastal Path two of my best recent successes. Doing well at the UTMB and Completing the Dragon’s Back Race crossing the Welsh mountains from North to South have also been fantastic achievements. A few podiums and age bests have also surprised me, showing me that nothing is impossible if I love my sports enough, if I am prepared to put in the hard work with the help of a great coach and team. However, my greatest trail running success is to share the love for our sport with others and having started the Norfolk Trail Running club and social group. |
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-Favourite Scarpa- |
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| My favourite Scarpa Trail Running shoe is the Scarpa Spin Ultra. If you are interested you can read my review. |
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-No Place too Far- |
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| I love travelling, I love spending time with people, always seeking to test my limits and find out more about who I am. The “no place to far” in 2021 for me is to establish a new route in the mountains I grew up in (The Majella National Park in Italy) in memory of my Dad.
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