66-year old Endurance Runner Antonio Grotto completes his 800th Marathon in Malta
Each marathon, each race tells a story. A story of determination, hope, overcoming diversity, pushing one’s limit. The list can be endless.
For sixty-six year old Italian Antonio Grotto, the recently held Malta Marathon signaled an major milestone in his running career – his 800th marathon. His quiet, reserved, unassuming demeanour belies the energy, enthusiasm and positivity that exude from this athlete. Antonio picked up running around thirty years ago, when his life reached a hiatus and he felt he needed new challenges, new frontiers that would renew his zest for life.
Simply put in his own words, running makes Antonio feel good. It gives him a free mind to think and feel one with nature and the elements around him. Running is all about having the motivation to start and the motivation to finish, enjoying the whole experience in the process. His enjoyment from running enables him not to stress about a race, but rather allows each race to be a new adventure, a new experience that helps him develop the psyche. Not finishing does not come into the picture for Antonio, irrespective of the conditions that he might face.
This positivity came across loud and clear when at the end of the Malta Marathon Antonio was asked as to how the windy and dusty conditions, of which most runners complained about, had affected his run. Antonio simply replied that the wind is part of nature and is another element that contributes to the experience of the marathon.
Antonio’s connection with Malta does not stop at the fact that he completed his 800th Marathon. Antonio has run the Malta Marathon twice in the past and his family have business connections in Malta. Antonio’s son in law, Carlo Segala, who is also an avid runner who took part in the Malta Half Marathon, is one of the owners of Helvi (Italy), a manufacturer of welding machines and long term partner of the local company Multigas, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary since it started industrial gas production. In fact, Helvi and Multigas jointly fielded a team of 7 runners in the Malta marathon and half-marathon showing that their successful relationship goes beyond business.
“I came to Malta to spend few days with my family and some friends who joined me for the race. This is my second Malta Marathon, it’s a route that I like and Malta is such a beautiful island with such an interesting history. I have met some very special people along the way” enthused Antonio after the Marathon.
Antonio ran his first marathon in 1994 in Venice. From then on he hasn’t looked back combining his love of travelling with running, Antonio has travelled the world preferring to see each country his visit through the eyes of an endurance runner than the usual run of the mill sightseeing tours. Antonio’s preferred distances are 100km runs, of which he as built quite a long CV. Each race offers different emotions however Antonio pinpoints two specific races that have left an indelible mark on him. The Jerusalem marathon, where so many different faiths united to reach one goal – that of completing a marathon, still gives him goose bumps. The 2011 New York Marathon, held in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks was an emotional gauntlet. The smell of burning, albeit a couple of months after the Twin Towers were destroyed, was still palpable. While running, the enormity of the tragedy became even more real, filling his eyes with tears and sadness throughout the route.
After eight hundred marathons does running and the challenges that come with ultra running still stimulate Antonio? The answer to that question was a strong yes. “As long as one does not take up the unnecessary stress that comes with sport, then the sport will still give a feel good factor. Running is not about looking at the watch, at being disappointed if on a particular day one runs slower – running is all about being good with yourself”.
When asked what advice he would offer to people who might be considering taking up the sport Antonio humbly replied “Build slowly, day by day, and little by little it will be come a life habit. Do not overdo training at the beginning. Run to feel good, to find yourself, spend time with nature, meet new people and visit new places – every time you will discover new places”.
Antonio is now planning his next races, which include the Paris Marathon (April 3rd), 50km Romagna (25th April), 100km – 100eLode (7th May) and 100km del Passatore (May 29th) as well as the Auckland Marathon later on on the year.
Antonio’s activities can be followed on his Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/antoniogrottofanclub/?fref=ts
