Anna Carabelli: A Sprinter’s Journey from the Shores of Lake Garda

The Italian sprinter has dedicated nearly two decades to the sport she loves, representing the proud athletics tradition of Trentino-Alto Adige.

Early Life and Introduction to Athletics

Anna Carabelli was born on September 15, 1999, in the stunning Alto Garda region of northern Italy, where the dramatic peaks of the Alps meet the sparkling waters of Lake Garda. Growing up in this breathtaking corner of Trentino, she was surrounded by a landscape that has long nurtured world-class athletes across numerous disciplines, from climbing champions scaling the legendary walls of Arco to elite runners training along the shores of the Sarca River.

It was at the tender age of seven that Carabelli first discovered her love for track and field. In 2007, she took her first steps as a competitive athlete when she joined Atletica Alto Garda E Ledro as an Esordiente—the entry-level youth category in Italian athletics. The club, founded in 1991 and headquartered in the charming town of Arco, has long served as a nurturing ground for young talent in the region, with a philosophy centered on allowing athletes to develop at their own pace while instilling values of commitment, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

Youth Career and Development

After her initial introduction to the sport, Carabelli continued to develop her skills through the Italian youth development system. As a Cadette (under-14) athlete between 2013 and 2014, she competed in both sprinting events and the high jump, demonstrating the versatility that often characterizes promising young athletes. Her performances during this period showed steady improvement, with times in the 80-meter dash dropping from 12.75 seconds in her early competitions to 11.06 seconds by 2021—evidence of years of dedicated training and physical maturation.

As she progressed through the Allieve (under-18) category between 2015 and 2016, Carabelli showed particular aptitude in the high jump, clearing 1.52 meters at Bressanone—a mark that remains her personal best in the discipline. This period saw her honing her explosive power and technique, fundamental attributes that would later define her sprinting career.

Junior Years and Club Transitions

The junior (under-20) phase of Carabelli’s career, spanning 2017 and 2018, marked a significant transition. Seeking new challenges and training environments, she transferred to U.S. Quercia Trentingrana, one of the most prestigious athletics clubs in the Trentino region. Based in Rovereto, the club is associated with the historic Palio Città della Quercia—the oldest track and field meeting in Italy and one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 1965. Training in this environment, surrounded by the echoes of athletics history and the regular presence of international competitors, provided invaluable experience for the developing sprinter.

During her time with Quercia Trentingrana, Carabelli continued to compete in the 100-meter dash, with times improving consistently as she adapted to the increased demands of junior-level competition. Her results from 2017 and 2018 show the gradual progression typical of developing sprinters, with 100-meter times dropping from around 14.5 seconds into the low 14-second range.

The Promesse Years: Coming Into Her Own

In 2019, Carabelli entered the Promesse (under-23) category and made another significant move, this time to Lagarina Crus Team, a well-established club based in Villa Lagarina. This period would prove transformative for her athletic development. Under the guidance of the club’s experienced coaching staff, she began to unlock new levels of speed and consistency.

The 2020 season, while disrupted globally by the pandemic, still saw Carabelli continuing to compete and improve. Competing in meets across the region—from Merano to Bolzano to her home turf in Rovereto—she demonstrated resilience and adaptability, qualities that served her well during a challenging time for athletes worldwide.

It was in 2021 that Carabelli achieved her breakthrough performances. At a competition in Trieste on July 24, she recorded her personal best in the 100 meters: 13.44 seconds, a time achieved in calm conditions with just +0.1 m/s wind. Earlier that year, in April at Trento, she had also set her 200-meter personal best of 28.46 seconds with a +1.7 m/s tailwind. These marks represented significant steps forward and established her as a competitive presence in regional sprinting.

Indoor Excellence

The 2022 indoor season proved particularly successful for Carabelli. Competing at the prestigious indoor facility in Ancona on January 30, she recorded her lifetime best in the 60 meters: 8.42 seconds. This performance, achieved in the opening weeks of the season, demonstrated her ability to perform when it mattered and her growing confidence on the national indoor circuit. Additional indoor performances at venues in Bergamo and Modena that season further solidified her credentials as a capable indoor performer.

Senior Career and Return Home

Upon transitioning to the Senior category in 2022, Carabelli continued to compete actively across the Trentino-Alto Adige region and beyond. Her competitive schedule has included appearances at venues throughout northern Italy, including Merano, Bolzano, Brescia, Milan, and various locations across her home region.

In 2024, Carabelli made a meaningful decision to return to where it all began, transferring back to Atletica Alto Garda E Ledro—the club that had first introduced her to athletics as a seven-year-old. This homecoming represented not just a geographical return but a renewed commitment to her roots and the community that had shaped her as an athlete. She has continued with the club through the 2025 season, once again representing the familiar pink, white, and blue colors that she first wore nearly two decades ago.

Personal Bests

Throughout her career, Carabelli has established the following personal best performances:

• 60 meters (indoor): 8.42 seconds – Ancona, January 30, 2022
• 100 meters: 13.44 seconds (+0.1 m/s) – Trieste, July 24, 2021
• 200 meters: 28.46 seconds (+1.7 m/s) – Trento, April 25, 2021
• High Jump: 1.52 meters – Bressanone, September 10, 2016

Training Environment

Carabelli trains at the Centro Sportivo Via Pomerio in Arco, a facility co-managed by Atletica Alto Garda E Ledro. The complex features a modern synthetic track that was upgraded in recent years and provides an ideal training environment in the mild climate of the Alto Garda region. The Mediterranean-influenced weather of the area, protected by the surrounding mountains, allows for year-round outdoor training—a significant advantage for sprinters who benefit from consistent preparation.

The location places Carabelli in the heart of one of Italy’s premier outdoor sports destinations, where she shares the community with world-class climbers, sailors, and endurance athletes who have made the Lake Garda region their training base. This environment of excellence, combined with the natural beauty of the surroundings, provides both inspiration and optimal conditions for athletic development.

Competition Venues and Regional Presence

Over the course of her career, Carabelli has competed at numerous venues throughout northern Italy, including:

• Arco and Rovereto in Trentino (her home venues)
• Bolzano and Merano in Alto Adige
• Ancona (site of major indoor competitions)
• Trieste and Udine in Friuli Venezia Giulia
• Milan, Brescia, Vicenza, and Padua in Lombardy and Veneto
• Rieti (location of numerous Italian Championship events)

This diverse competitive experience across Italy’s northern regions has helped shape Carabelli into a well-rounded competitor capable of performing across various venues and conditions.

Athletic Philosophy and Approach

Carabelli’s career exemplifies the journey of many dedicated regional-level athletes in Italy—athletes who may not make international headlines but who form the essential backbone of the sport. Her nearly two-decade commitment to track and field, spanning youth categories through senior competition, reflects the kind of sustained dedication that athletics communities depend upon.

Her decision to return to her original club after years of competitive experience elsewhere speaks to a deep connection with her home region and the community that first nurtured her athletic dreams. In an era when many athletes chase opportunities elsewhere, such loyalty to local roots carries special significance.

Social Media

Anna Carabelli can be found on Instagram at @annacarabelli, where she shares glimpses of her athletic life and personal interests.

Looking Forward

As she continues her athletic career with Atletica Alto Garda E Ledro, Carabelli remains an active presence in the Trentino-Alto Adige athletics scene. While the demands of senior-level sprinting are considerable, her long history with the sport and evident passion suggest that her contributions to Italian athletics—whether on the track, in the local community, or as an inspiration to younger athletes at her club—are far from over.

For a young girl who first discovered the joy of running along the shores of Lake Garda, the journey continues—one stride at a time, in the shadow of the mountains she calls home.