overview
A native Italian and former international model who lived in Miami, New York City, and Milan as part of his modeling career, Michele quickly discovered his true passion resided far away from the cameras and jet-set lifestyle. He started running ultramarathons in January 2012 (winning a 50-mile race that literally goes through the Everglades in South Florida), and since then, has won virtually every race he has entered.
Specializing in trail races through some of the most demanding terrain on Earth, Michele has run about 20 ultras to date, including 4 races of 100 miles or longer, including a "sub-24" finish at the grueling Leadville 100 in Colorado (2013) and a breakthrough 2nd place overall finish at the highly competitive Angeles Crest 100 (2014).
Now residing in Los Angeles, Michele also is particularly adept at expedition-style racing, as he won (and set the course record) at the 2014 Grand 2 Grand Ultra, a 167-mile stage race from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the summit of the Grand Staircase in Utah. In 2013, Michele also ran -- nonstop -- from Las Vegas to LA, a 300-mile journey that he completed in just over 3 days to raise money for Telethon, a major Italian charity foundation that has been fighting a relentless battle since 1990 in order to fulfill the promise of curing muscular dystrophy and rare genetic diseases.
Michele is a USATF-certified running coach, and he is certified as a personal trainer through AMFPT (American Muscle & Fitness Personal Training). He is also certified by the USATF in sports nutrition.
Specializing in trail races through some of the most demanding terrain on Earth, Michele has run about 20 ultras to date, including 4 races of 100 miles or longer, including a "sub-24" finish at the grueling Leadville 100 in Colorado (2013) and a breakthrough 2nd place overall finish at the highly competitive Angeles Crest 100 (2014).
Now residing in Los Angeles, Michele also is particularly adept at expedition-style racing, as he won (and set the course record) at the 2014 Grand 2 Grand Ultra, a 167-mile stage race from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the summit of the Grand Staircase in Utah. In 2013, Michele also ran -- nonstop -- from Las Vegas to LA, a 300-mile journey that he completed in just over 3 days to raise money for Telethon, a major Italian charity foundation that has been fighting a relentless battle since 1990 in order to fulfill the promise of curing muscular dystrophy and rare genetic diseases.
Michele is a USATF-certified running coach, and he is certified as a personal trainer through AMFPT (American Muscle & Fitness Personal Training). He is also certified by the USATF in sports nutrition.
selected career highlights
Some of Michele's career ultramarathon highlights include:
- Angeles Crest 100 (California, 2014): 2nd place overall (20:25)
- UltraMilano-Sanremo (Italy, 2014): 1st place overall and course record; 175 miles in an astonishing 31:49
- Grand to Grand Ultra (Arizona/Utah, 2014): 1st place overall and course record; 167 miles in 31:25 total running time (stage race)
- Kodiak 50 (California 2014): 1st place overall (9:32)
- Leadville 100 (Colorado, 2013): Top 30-finish (22:10)
- Virgil Crest 100 (New York, 2012): 2nd overall (21:53)
- Palm 100k (Florida, 2012): 1st place overall and male course record holder (9:23)
- Everglades 50 (Florida, 2012): 1st place overall (8:18)
publications/media
In 2014, Michele was featured in an article in TrailRunner magazine, titled "From Top Model to Top Ultrarunner." That article can be found here.
Michele has also appeared on a recent edition of Ultrarunner Podcast, which can be found here.
Michele joined Zwitty Ultra because he shares Dave's passion not only for running, but for helping others. Michele is perpetually-upbeat, and is looking to share his passion, knowledge, and experience with others.
Michele has also appeared on a recent edition of Ultrarunner Podcast, which can be found here.
Michele joined Zwitty Ultra because he shares Dave's passion not only for running, but for helping others. Michele is perpetually-upbeat, and is looking to share his passion, knowledge, and experience with others.
