The Paduan influencer with 400,000 followers, who once weighed 130 kg and now competes in extreme triathlons, will be at the start of the event that will bring thousands of enthusiasts to the heart of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene on Sunday, October 19th.
Conegliano (Treviso), October 15, 2025 – He announced it himself in a video on his highly popular social media channels: “I’ll do the Ca’ del Poggio Run.” Massimo Barco, the Paduan influencer with over 400,000 followers, will be among the many enthusiasts (over 2,000 in 2024, with numbers growing this year) who will participate in the third edition of the Ca’ del Poggio Run on Sunday, October 19th. This now iconic running event will unfold over four routes in the heart of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
A 26-year-old from Camposampiero, Padua, Barco has become famous for his dialect comedy sketches and a weight-loss program that has led him to lose 50 kilos, allowing him to participate in extreme running and triathlon events. On September 21st, he completed the Cervia Ironman 70.3, a 1,900-meter swim, a 90-kilometer bike ride, and a 21-kilometer run. A challenge for true “men of steel.” And, to top it all off, two weeks later, on October 5th, he also completed a 10km vertical trail with 1,500 meters of elevation gain in the mountains of the Vicenza area.
After being a promising hammer thrower, Massimo Barco, thanks to a sedentary lifestyle and chaotic habits, weighed 130 kilos. Now, having regained his physical fitness, the scales read 0.5 kg lighter: “Running has changed my body, but above all my mind,” explains the Paduan influencer, who has begun posting equally viral videos on social media in which he recounts his transformation and expresses his desire to inspire others.
The next challenge, though without the extreme content of the previous ones, is called Ca’ del Poggio Run. Massimo will be starting the 19km race: “They told me about beautiful landscapes and excellent refreshments. I’ll take it easy and enjoy the day because, after so many runs, I feel the need to catch my breath.”
Together with Massimo Barco, the third edition of the Ca’ del Poggio Run is preparing to welcome a wide variety of runners: runners, walkers, Nordic walking and fitwalking enthusiasts, and simply nature lovers who will take advantage of this autumn Sunday to lose themselves in the wonderful setting of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
There are four routes: from the new half marathon dedicated to competitive runners, who can challenge themselves over the classic 21.097 km, to two routes open to all, 5 km and 8 km, including a 19 km intermediate route. The 5 km route is truly accessible to everyone. The entirely asphalted route is also accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and will be joined by the 8 km route, completely redesigned from last year, which will pass through the most characteristic locations of Conegliano, taking participants through the vineyards surrounding the historic Cerletti winemaking school.
The starting point is also new: Viale Carducci, in front of the Scalinata degli Alpini. This will also be the finish line for all the races. The nearby Piazzale Fratelli Zoppas will host the grand final refreshment stand, featuring products (Prosecco DOCG and more) presented by local companies, as well as recreational activities offered—starting Friday, October 17th—by the Artiglio Cultural Association, a new partner of the Ca’ del Poggio Run. Registration for the Ca’ del Poggio Run will also be open in Piazzale Fratelli Zoppas over the weekend, Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th, until bibs are sold out: the race is not far off.
Among the highlights of the Ca’ del Poggio Run this year, once again, is the passage up the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio, a symbolic climb in the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, which on July 7, 2019, were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For cycling enthusiasts, it’s the quintessential pink climb: a 1km climb through vineyards, with an average gradient of 12.7% and peaks of 19%, which has provided a triumphant (and crowded) backdrop to the Giro d’Italia eight times (most recently last May).
