Heading to Chamonix with Michele Meridio
WORDS → Francesca Robasto
DATE → 2026-08-19
The new adventure with Altra and the dream of the first 100 km.
If there is one territory that has been a true hotbed of mountain running talent over the last decade, it is undoubtedly the Vicenza area. I have often wondered why. Perhaps it’s the influence of the Berici Hills, or the Piccole Dolomiti; certainly, it is the result of a strong sporting tradition and a deep sense of community. In this breeding ground of excellence, Michele Meridio is now a consolidated certainty, perfectly embodying the solidity and passion of a school that continues to churn out top-level protagonists.
“It might not be the most beautiful place in absolute terms, but our area can offer so much to anyone who wants to train or simply get closer to the outdoor world. In winter, the Berici Hills are perfect for running or cycling on the trails, while in summer we have the Piccole Dolomiti, mountains that are decidedly technical and demanding. Those who start here immediately face the true difficulties of this sport, while for those who are already trained, they represent an exceptional proving ground. The level of local athletes has always stimulated me to improve and has allowed me to share quality outings with many friends. Some historic races were born here, such as the Maratona Alpina or the Trans D’Havet—a legacy that still pushes many people to take up this discipline today.”
Trail running today represents the heart of his professional and personal journey. Over the years, Michele has built his athletic identity through consistency and a continuous search for performance, gradually raising the bar towards increasingly prestigious competitions. With a background on the track, his trajectory is a demonstration of how thin the line is between speed and endurance. Today, alongside running, he balances his studies in Sports Science and his work as a personal trainer, naturally managing high-level sport, education, and his profession.
“For me, sport is a 360° lifestyle, and over the years I’ve realized just how much it makes me feel good. It has never felt like a burden to dedicate time to discovering how our body works, how to improve performance, or how to recover from an injury. That’s why I decided to enroll in the faculty of Sports Science (which I’ll finish in September) and delve into the subject on a scientific level. Parallel to my studies, I started working in the gym; I felt the need to put into practice, on myself and others, what I was studying in books. This has allowed me to grow a lot, learn how to approach people, and understand how unique and subjective every journey is.”
His palmarès began to fill up in 2021 with a steady sequence of podiums in 20 km races. In the following three years, he increased the distances, establishing himself as a protagonist in the Marathon category at major international events: from Istria to the Julian Alps, from Mozart to Snowdonia. 2025 marks a further turning point: highlights include a victory in Seoul at the SKY50 and his debut in 80 km races, with a 7th place overall at the Lavaredo 80K and participation in Templiers, one of the most iconic races on the European scene. In January 2026, Michele officially joined the Altra Running team.
“After five years with Brooks, which allowed me to grow both as an athlete and as a person, I joined Altra at the beginning of 2026. The first contacts took place at the end of last year, which were necessary to delve into the brand’s vision and their technologies. The project, the philosophy, and the positive energy of the people I met won me over immediately. I felt it was the right direction, so we started this new adventure. Joining a new team and meeting colleagues is always stimulating, as is discovering and testing new products. Giving feedback is an aspect I particularly love: bringing the athlete’s perspective, without forgetting that the product must be ‘sold’ to any user, allows me to deeply understand the development work and the dynamics behind every shoe. I am really happy: in these first few months, I have always felt listened to, understood, and valued.”
For Michele, the 2026 calendar is not just a list of race bibs, but the map of a conscious journey. Each race tells a specific story: how he wants to grow, where he intends to go. And as in any proper journey, the first part of the season has held unexpected events, changes of course, exhilarating moments, and setbacks. While the cancellation of the Tenerife Bluetrail turned into an opportunity for sharing and training, his true debut came with an excellent 2nd place at the Dolomiti Beer Trail, a race that is anything but trivial. This was followed by a bitter chapter at Transvulcania, a DNF on a severe and spectacular course, but the response was not long in coming. With the start of summer, Michele secured a significant 2nd place at the DXT 72K, an extremely technical and muscular test, before returning to the Lavaredo 50K: his fourth participation and a personal best of 4h24’ that speaks volumes.
“Last season, trying 80 km races like Lavaredo and Templiers, I discovered how much I like ‘being out there.’ Trying to run fast, trying something new, and seeing how the body and mind would respond. The goal for 2026 was precisely to gain confidence with this distance.”
“We started with winter preparation aiming for the Tenerife 47K, but bad weather disrupted the plans. I didn’t want to show up at La Palma without an intermediate test, so I fell back on the DBT: even without being in peak form, the sensations were good. For the Transvulcania Ultramarathon, one of the most fascinating races ever, I had trained well. We had studied everything in detail, and until the fiftieth kilometer, it was going exactly according to plan. Then I started to struggle, really struggle, and had stomach problems that didn’t allow me to eat. On the last descent, I felt my energy running out; 11 km from the finish line, the doctor saw me staggering and stopped me for checks. Being blocked just a step from the end hurts, especially when you feel ready, but in hindsight, it was the right choice. This experience taught me a lot, above all it made me realize that at these distances, nothing is left to chance.”
“In the following months, I tried to treasure that mistake. When I showed up at the DXT, I wanted to put into practice what I had learned: to enjoy the journey, to suffer with a smile, and to feel grateful for what I do. I finished my first night race by taking a second place that fills me with pride, even though I’m aware I still have ample room for improvement. Just two weeks later, it was already time for the LUT50. A gamble, given the short recovery time, but I would have been in Cortina regardless and I wanted to play my cards. For me, the LUT is home: every year it gives me something unique, a dense mix of memories, emotions, and motivations. Finishing with that time, without having trained for such fast paces, filled me with satisfaction. Probably the best-managed race since I started running.”
“I spent five weeks in San Vito training alone on the trails (and writing my thesis): I needed certainties, to feel that the direction was the right one. I came home with a boost of positive energy and the ideal determination to face the next appointments.” These days, Michele is finalizing his preparation in Livigno in the company of Lorenzo Beltrami and Roberto De Lorenzi. Another stage of a journey that continues and is now preparing to experience one of its most intense chapters. In August, a three-digit finish line awaits him: his first 100 km. Not just any race, but the CCC, the final of the UTMB World Series in this category.
“This year I decided to make the jump to my first 100. It’s a number that’s a bit scary, but at the same time, it ignites something inside. And why not do it on the most important stage in the world? To arrive at the top for an appointment like the CCC, you need a deep drive. Something that makes you wake up every morning with the desire to test yourself and push yet another limit. Without this hunger, in a sport as tough as ours, you don’t go far. That’s why I spent three weeks in Livigno for an intensive loading block ahead of Chamonix.”
“It was really motivating to train with Roby and Lore, who besides being dear friends are also very strong athletes to take inspiration from; we supported and spurred each other on. Not every day was ‘easy,’ but sharing the effort makes everything more beautiful. I feel I’ve done things right; now two equally demanding weeks await me, which I will spend between Lagorai and the Dolomites, before starting the much-loved tapering. I won’t hide a bit of anxiety: it will be an important proving ground, in which I have invested time and energy. What I am sure of is that the path taken so far, between training, camps, trips, and friends, will be my fuel during the race and I won’t give up easily thinking about these moments. I will look for the best performance, hoping for the perfect day. Let’s see where these 100 kilometers will take me.”