Nothing better than a curious mind, aware and refined, to push the body to achieve the unthinkable, to break records. Nothing better than a young, open mind to foster cultural advancement in a sports movement as layered and complex as running. Nothing better than the mind of Pietro Arese.

Twenty-four years old, a European gold medal in cross country running, two national records (the 3000 meters indoors and the mile), plus a degree in Occupational and Environmental Safety Engineering. Here lies the secret formula, the meeting point of sacrifice, reflection, and culture. This is how a young man can bring innovation to Italian running: through times, words, and thought.

We learned more about the countless facets of this humble champion on the sidelines of a special talk, organized by brand-partner HOKA, during the Stramilano: “In fast middle-distance running, the mental factor is crucial. Compared to long middle-distance, the race is short and there’s no margin for error. In sprint, the situation is different; you just need to be in peak form, and nothing conditions your performance outside of yourself. In middle-distance, instead, you can be pushed, bumped, tripped…. Anything can happen when you’re down to the wire. There are dynamics as fascinating as they are unpredictable. You have to be able to react immediately to the intensity and movements of others; tactics are essential. This is why the strongest doesn’t always come out on top.”

And tactics are synonymous with study, explains the Arese, born and raised in the province of Turin. He shared his list of disappointments, or rather, stumbling blocks faced along his path. “At the European Championships in Munich, I lost a medal because an opponent overtook and blocked me. I had to slow my pace, finishing fourth by fourteen-hundredths of a second. In the Mediterranean Games in ’22, the whole thing was nerve-wracking; I was constantly pushed and pulled, and I didn’t place in the end. I look back on my races and analyze them. I do it to avoid getting into similar situations. As I looked closer, I realized that I wasn’t reacting to the physicality of others and that my calm demeanor could be counterproductive in certain races. Competitions are won and lost in a fraction of a second or for a well-placed elbow. That’s why mental acuity is essential; I develop it through study, meditation, and sports psychology.”

Arese ended up in athletics because he fell in love with the feel of track under his feet, and his logic is as rational as it is passionate. It follows a pattern both academic and lyrical, exalted toward sacrifice and responsibility. “For me, the idea of surpassing a record like Di Napoli’s in the 3,000 meters, isn’t an achievement; it’s one part in a long process of moving closer to those legends of athletic history. In my mind, I haven’t surpassed anyone yet. In fact, if I had to choose between a medal or a record, I’d definitely choose the first. I’m often inspired by the international successes of my predecessors, not by their records. I had the fortune and honor of winning a team gold at the European Cross Championships in Turin. Singing the anthem in my city under the basilica of Superga, as a Toro fan, was a unique experience. Now I’m focusing on more “important” medals, if you want to call them that, like the upcoming European Championships in Rome. I can already imagine the sensations I’ll get at the Olimpico, in that modern Colosseum …. I’ve already got goosebumps. I know it’s going to be something worth fighting for.”

Arese also wants us to understand that it’s worth fighting for one’s sport. In this regard, Arese demonstrates a unique sensitivity that is anything but common, amplified and typified by his partnership with HOKA. “It’s really important for me to help people understand how great this sport is, and I truly appreciate HOKA’s commitment in this respect. I know that attending events and talks can help mend the apparent rift between the average runner and us professionals. I often make this comparison: people who play football know who Federico Chiesa is; runners, on the other hand, rarely know pro athletes. They are almost two entirely disconnected worlds. It’s up to us to get through to those in the amateur world and to represent the whole movement as best we can. Since my teenage years, I’ve always been convinced that professional athletes have a social responsibility; they have to serve as examples, attracting as many fans as possible. I never refuse an autograph or a quick chat. I know that a simple gesture like a selfie with a kid can turn into a lasting bond with our sport. HOKA looks very much at this human side and doesn’t see its athletes as numbers and results.”

As a frequent Sky commentator, or “joker,” as he likes to say, Arese represents more than numbers and results. He is the definition of a committed athlete, both prospect and sure-thing, student and teacher of running. It is a privileged state earned through his rare inner qualities that he’s cultivated just as much as he’s trained for athletic performance. “I love running. Being a professional athlete is an absolute privilege. It’s the greatest job in the world. To experience this firsthand is wonderful. Running is valuable because it lets me travel inside myself. I often train alone and don’t listen to music. I run in my thoughts; I listen to my breath. Running is good for my body, of course, but it’s especially good for my mind: I’m getting to know myself when I’m on the track, and not just as an athlete. And I want to keep doing that.”