An interview with trail runner Luca Pescollderungg

Over the years, suffering – tormenting oneself beyond one’s perceived limits – has become an obsession. For Luca Pescollderungg, that means squeezing in twenty hours of intense training on top of a full forty-hour workweek. He finishes work at 5 p.m., and by 5:20 p.m., he’s charging up the trails of his local mountain in La Villa. All for that moment at the top: a pause to take in the huge mountain massifs, the green valleys and, of course, the elevation he’s just conquered. The endurance athlete leads a Spartan existence in the most literal sense of the word. His lifestyle is driven by his connection to nature and the terrain of his homeland.

With eight to twelve races a year, this amateur athlete competes at a professional level. However, unlike many of his Spartan racing peers, Pescollderungg did not emerge from a rigorously trained youth squad. Instead, like many in Val Badia, his athletic journey began in a ski club, later leading him through a passion for football in the “Oberliga” league and a brief foray into strength training before he ultimately found his calling in endurance sports – and quickly took them to extreme levels. Today, he holds the title of Spartan Race World Champion in the ultra-distance category, is the Spartan Race European Champion and ranks among the top contenders in various Sky Races and trail runs.

Only those who possess endurance, skill and strength can truly embody the spirit of a Spartan athlete. Spartan Race obstacle courses often involve long distances, sky-high – nay, mountain-high – climbs and parcourse. The training routine for such an event must lie somewhere between that of a ninja warrior, Reinhold Messner and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Thanks to his foundation in strength and endurance training, Pescollderungg appears to have mastered this Spartan balancing act. In this interview, the reigning world champion reveals what draws him to endurance sports and how his homeland, Alta Badia, awakened in him a passion that borders on obsession.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Who is Luca Pescollderungg? What do you live for? What are your passions and hobbies?

I’m Luca Pescollderungg, born in 1991, and I work for the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative. My hobby – my part-time job, really – is competing in Spartan Races. My biggest passions are mountain hiking, mountain running, trail running and, well, all endurance sports. I also listen to a lot of music. I’m a huge fan of hard rock and metal, but I also enjoy more laid-back tunes sometimes, like country music and a few love songs here and there.

You’re from La Villa and grew up in Alta Badia. What was it like to spend your childhood in such an environment? What do you think shaped you the most?

I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up here. I love the mountains, and Alta Badia is an outdoor sports paradise. Since I was a kid, I’ve had opportunities to hike and bike in the mountains. Of course, this has given me a huge boost, as well as the fact that my parents supported me in every sport I pursued. I’ve constantly reinvented myself as an athlete – starting with the ski club, switching to football, then bodybuilding for two or three years and eventually finding my way to Spartan Races and trail running.

What fascinates you about Alpine endurance sports? Have they always been a passion of yours?

I didn’t discover endurance sports until I was around 22 or 23, but from the moment I did, I was hooked. There’s something intriguing about the suffering of running uphill – at first, when you’re not yet in shape, it feels torturous. But over time, that suffering becomes an obsession. It’s a perfect mix of physical exertion and nature. Running up the mountain, occasionally glancing back to take in the view below, creates an undeniable connection with the mountain. You become one with it. And then, when you reach the summit after pushing yourself to the limit – that feeling is beyond words…

How did you get into trail running and Spartan Races?

I used to play football in the “Oberliga” league, but I had to stop due to knee problems. That’s when I started strength training. At the time, I was working in a nature park, mainly restoring hiking trails. I wanted to spend even more time outdoors, so I started hiking uphill faster and faster, gradually building both my fitness and muscle mass.

Then, about eight years ago, a friend told me about this new sport called Spartan Racing. I signed up for the Open Category just for fun – and it’s been my passion ever since. This sport demands everything: strength, agility and endurance. What I love most is running long distances with extreme elevation gain – that’s my real strength.

Are endurance sports your full-time job?

No, I work full-time for the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative. However, I’m fortunate to be able to balance my job with my sport. In the summer, for instance, I can travel to races on a Friday and return on Monday. While Spartan Racing does provide some income, unfortunately, it’s not enough to make a living.

What are the challenges in this sport?

You always have to set new goals for yourself. That has worked well for me so far. If I didn’t have new goals, I would probably stop because training demands a lot of sacrifices. I work forty hours a week, and then I also train for about twenty. That doesn’t leave much time for anything else.

Do you have any favourite mountains or trails in Alta Badia? Do your preferences differ between training and leisure?

My favourite mountain is Gherdenacia, right on my doorstep. I usually train there every second or third day, running towards the Gardenacia Hut. But it’s not just for training – I also go up there on weekends just to relax and have a drink with friends.

One last question: can you share some Alta Badia insider tips?

If you love outdoor sports, Alta Badia is a destination you simply can’t miss. But there is much more to experience. The Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative organises a variety of exciting events year-round. One event I highly recommend is a summer highlight in my home village – a true community celebration. Every year on 15 August, La Villa hosts a traditional parade, followed by a lively festival in the village centre. I also have a new favourite winter event! The first-ever wine tasting on Lake Sompunt took place in 2025. Sommeliers on skates served visitors wine right on the ice! That was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.