The trails began calling to Francesca Conte in 1998. That was when the native of Italy moved from the San Diego city life of paved streets and traffic to Charlottesville, Virginia, where the mountains and hills welcome runners. Each day they beckon Conte to run. It's obvious that she's been listening.

Conte (30) is becoming more than a familiar face in the state and national ultra-running scene. The native of Italy took second in the six-race Montrail Ultra Cup last May, which attracts top ultra runners across the country. In October, she won Lynchburg's Mountain Masochist Trail Run, a 50-miler, in 8 hours 28 minutes 37 seconds, the second fastest time in the 20- year history of the race.

David Horton, founder and director of the Mountain Masochist, said Conte's success has been gradual. He remembers when she ran the race for the first time five years ago. She finished three hours slower than she did in October. "It's an unbelievable transformation to someone who is now a racer," said Horton, who often trains with Conte when he travels to Charlottesville from his Lynchburg home. "She has really progressed. Before she was running to run and finish, but now she sees that she can race and race well. She's really seeing the value of training hard." Conte can attest to that.

Never much of a runner, although she did race in some 5Ks while in college at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Conte, who grew up hiking the Italian Alps with her father, said she was "starved for trails" while in California. She jumped on the idea of entering the Mountain Masochist when she saw an announcement for the race upon entering graduate school at the University of Virginia.

"I was more excited about running on the trails instead of being smart," said Conte, who is studying biology. "I jumped into it without much training. I hadn't run more than 20 miles." She finished in 11:23, barely making the time limit. But the race didn't dampen her running spirits. It enlivened them.

Since then, 50-milers have become old hat for Conte. She's now making her mark in 100-milers across the country, winning the Arkansas Traveller 100-Miler last September and taking fourth in the Western States 100-Miler last June in California. In Arkansas, she ran 18:59 for 100-miles, her personal best time.

Conte plans to make 100-mile races her focus this year. Claiming to be an endurance runner rather than one with foot speed, she holds back in the beginning of most races before making her move. "I don't worry much because I know they [competitors] will slow down later in the race," Conte said.

Conte, who is sponsored by Montrail, Pantagonia, and Clif Bar, explained that long runs calm her. "I love running at night, especially if the weather is beautiful," she said, adding that she is looking to the Angeles Crest 100-Miler in Los Angeles in September as her next major 100-mile racing feat. "Throughout the whole day, you have the sun beating on you and people passing you. But at night it is very comfortable because it's dark and you can focus on yourself."

Bethany Hunter of Lynchburg, who finished 26 seconds behind Conte at the Mountain Masochist in October, said Conte's strength lies "on the technical trails," no matter the length of the race. "Most people are timid, and they always slow up, but she flies," said Hunter, who has competed against Conte in other Virginia races in the last few years. "She's very steady."

"Steady" and courageous may describe Conte's largest racing feat. In October, she wants to represent Italy in the 24 Hour World Championships in Holland, which is run on a track. Horton said Conte, who is not a U.S. citizen, would be a strong candidate for Italy's team. And Hunter said Conte's not afraid to set herself up against runners from around the world. Conte competed in the Trailwalker 100K in Hong Kong last year with the Montrail team. "She doesn't get intimidated by people," Hunter said. "She's always competing with herself more than others and that doesn't bother her. Ultra running is so much a mental thing, and if you don't have that toughness, you could lose your own race."

The outdoors inspires this "toughness," Conte said. And it drives her love of racing. "Anytime we run on a trail, and we hit the long gravel paved road, I can't wait until it's over," she said. "The trails are just wonderful."