If there’s one name in Turin running that perfectly combines racing talent and deep technical knowledge, it’s Alessandro Giannone. Today, Base Running gives you a unique opportunity to put your next race goal in the hands of this extraordinary coach, with an exclusive bundle: Race Entry + Personalised Training Plan!
Alessandro Giannone: talent, technique, passion
Alessandro Giannone is an iconic figure for the Base Running team and for the local running scene. His career has been an incredible journey.
From the track to the road: An early talent, at just 13 he was already burning up the track, with a 1500 m best of 3’50”. He went on to dominate the 3000 m and 5000 m. At 26 he took to the road, making his mark with a formidable 30’30” for 10 km and 1h06’45” in the half marathon.
All-round expertise: Beyond the athlete, there’s the instructor, FIDAL (Italian Athletics Federation) national coach and sports massage therapist (since 2003). Alessandro combines his competitive energy with deep expertise in every aspect of running: from training to biomechanics, from technical gear (shoes and clothing) to mental preparation.
Leading Base Running: He is head of training for our Running Team. His experience and love of running drive him every day to support athletes of every level, building the sharing and team spirit that make Base Running unique.
“In an individual sport like running, building a community and getting people to share their passion is really exciting. Bringing together people who run at different speeds in one group is always a wonderful challenge.”
The interview: running is a personal journey 🎙️
We asked Alessandro to tell us about his philosophy and approach, to understand what makes his training method so effective.
When and how did you discover running?
«I come from a family of runners, and from when I was very small my parents took me to amateur races. I often ran in the children’s races.»
The first race that really “lit the spark”?
«In my second year of athletics, in the under-13 category (I was 12), running and winning the Provincial Championships 1000 m at the Stadio Comunale in 2’42”.»
What did the track teach you that still helps you in road races?
«That you run for the time, not the position, unless you’re racing to win a title. Race tactics, for example in the 800 m and the 1500 m, become crucial. But the marathon is something else: it’s a journey towards a personal goal that goes beyond simple planning.»
Training philosophy: motivation, sacrifice and personalisation. More quality or more volume?
«Quality with little volume doesn’t last. It’s important to keep a good balance depending on who you’re working with. We’re not all the same, and it’s essential to tailor the principles of training as well as possible.»
A typical mistake you see often (and how to avoid it)?
«Just running. It’s essential to add different kinds of exercises (strength, posture, stretching, breathing and relaxation exercises) to support the training load.»
Coaching & goals. Alessandro is pragmatic: an amateur’s goal is to improve, have fun and avoid injury.
How do you build a plan for someone starting from zero?
«If someone has never done any physical activity, they need general muscle conditioning and a gradual adaptation to running, alternating with walking. For trained athletes, the approach changes.»
The person behind the coach. What do you do when you’re not running or coaching?
«My whole life revolves around running: I sell running shoes, I coach, I organise races. But for a few years now I’ve been doing theatre, a passion that lets me grow a lot within a group and work a lot on emotions.»
A book or a song you associate with running.
«The book: Murakami’s “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”. The song is definitely “Eye of the Tiger” (from Rocky III).»
Something you believed years ago that you’ve changed your mind about.
«If you really love running, you’ll always keep running. You don’t need to think only about competing, but also about the wellbeing this sport can give you when it’s done properly.»
🎁 The exclusive Base Running bundle
Your race goal isn’t just a time: it’s a personal journey that deserves next-level preparation.
With the Race Entry + Personalised Plan bundle by Alessandro Giannone, you get:
1. Entry to your target race: no organisational stress, we take care of everything.
2. Personalised training plan: a plan built for you by Alessandro, taking into account your schedule, your starting level and your goals, skilfully balancing volume and quality to get you to the finish line at your best.
3. Support and know-how: you’ll have the experience of a national coach to make the most of your season, prevent injuries (remember the “just running” mistake?) and enjoy running with the right dose of motivation and fun.
Don’t just run. Run better. Run with a plan.
Don’t wait until your goal is just around the corner. Start building it today with the experience and passion of Base Running and Alessandro Giannone.
Are you ready to turn your next race into your best result?
