Rino Lavelli

Rino Lavelli was an Italian middle-distance and marathon runner. Born in the province of Bergamo, after elementary school he became a farmer and started running by chance, invited by a friend to a cross-country race, which he won. He won many mountain races, in which he raced mostly to earn money for his family, which was frowned on by athletic officials.

In his career Lavelli won Italian titles in the 5,000 (1953), 10,000 (1955), half-marathon (1956), and marathon (1956-57, 1960). He competed at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in the marathon where, due to severe shin splints, he did not finish the race. A few months earlier, he had won the Cinque Mulini, the most prestigious Italian cross-country race. He earned eight international caps from 1953-65.

Lavelli continued to compete in masters events, and in 2009 won a gold medal at the World Mountain Running Championships in Zagreb in the Over-80 category.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-32:43 (1961).