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 discovered running at school in Year 8 (1984), and 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 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 at weekly club events. 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.

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 and passionate 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 cuisine that took him right back to his childhood.

Across these experiences, Tony 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 true Italian authenticity, it’s now time to share them with you.

What to expect

• Guaranteed entry to your chosen Running Event

• Tailored training Program while on Tour

• Share your love of running and Italian food with a small group of likeminded runners

• Authentic culinary experiences throughout the Tour

• Seamless traveling to multiple destinations throughout the Tour

• Additional on-the-ground support through a local runner

• A good amount of eating and running

Why Eat and Run

• 20 years of a deep knowledge of Italy both as a local and as a tourist

• A wide and broad experience of running events right across Italy

• Personalised attention through group sizes of between 8-14

• All-inclusive Tours. Forget about travel, accommodation, meals, race registration, arrival and event-bib logistics

• You simply arrive and I take care of the rest