Our Story

Growing up alongside 5 brothers and sisters in the family fruit shop in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney, Tony was always surrounded by quality produce. Sunday lunch at his Grandparents was the weekly highlight - an enjoyable ritual of seasonal produce, grown and prepared in a traditional, communal setting.

After a family move to Maroubra, he fell into running at school in Year 8 (1984). With a few schoolmates he entered his first of what is now 35 'City-To-Surf' events, the famous 14km road race from Sydney to Bondi Beach. And with that one event, he was now hooked.

Following the path of a few school-friends, he joined the Randwick-Botany Harriers Athletic Club. Over the next 16 years Tony was under the guidance of, and had access to the most generous, passionate and knowledgeable club coaches who were always on hand with a trusty stopwatch and a smile. He had mentorship from a host of elder club runners, who ran with sheer determination which sat right along Tony’s upbringing in the Fruit Shop. Running may have got a little more focused by now, but never a chore. Unbeknownst to Tony, by now he had developed a deep knowledge and respect for many aspects of running, and ended his running with The Harriers in Sydney with a role of Club Captain along the way.

In 2001, he moved to Melbourne and joined the mighty Glenhuntly Athletics Club, with whom he still proudly runs.

For over 10 years, he regularly trained with the Melbourne Midday Milers at the famous ‘Tan’ at lunchtime, another fantastic and supportive running group.

So, on Tony’s annual trips to Italy beginning in 2002, he sought to learn Italy’s running culture and quickly learned that the most interesting running events were not big city events. They were in regional towns where he could meet proud local runners, who would often openly share their time, their home and the best parts of their region with him.

These trips culminated in Tony and his young family living in Italy for most of 2016, where he delighted in travelling the country, befriending runners, participating in running events all across Italy, and searching for his love of traditional foods that took him right back to his childhood.

Across these experiences, Tony has collaborated with locals, made some dear friends and embedded much of their expertise and local knowledge into his Tours.

Finally satisfied that these Tours represent his love of running, his love of food and his Italian heritage, it’s now time to share them with you.

What to expect

• Guaranteed entry to amazing Running Events

• Tailored training Program while on Tour (and prior if needed)

• Authentic culinary experiences

• Seamless traveling through regional Italy

• A good amount of eating and running

Why Eat and Run

• 20 years of visiting and exploring running events in Italy

• Personalised attention through small group sizes

• All-inclusive Tours - this is particularly important to me

• You simply arrive ready to run and I take care of the rest