[3][4] Pietri was born in Mandrio, a frazione of Correggio, but spent his youth in Carpi (Emilia-Romagna region).

According to tradition, Pietri was attracted by the event and, still wearing his work clothes, ran to the finish ahead of Pagliani.

On 2 April 1906 Pietri won the qualifying marathon for the Olympic Games to be held in Athens that same year.

In a race in Carpi he ran 40 km (25 mi) in 2 hours and 38 minutes, an extraordinary result for the times.

The marathon, which was to take place on 24 July 1908, started with 56 competitors, including Pietri and fellow Italian Umberto Blasi.

When he knew that Hefferon was in crisis, Pietri further increased his pace, overtaking him at the 39 km (24 mi) mark.

The effort took its toll and with only two kilometres (1.2 mi) to go, Pietri began to feel the effects of extreme fatigue and dehydration.

"Conan Doyle proposed the Daily Mail to start a subscription to raise money and help Pietri to open a bakery in his native town.

Composer Irving Berlin dedicated a song to him entitled "Dorando"[1] and Pietri received requests to participate in exhibition races in the United States.

[11] Il sogno del maratoneta is an Italian book and TV movie about Pietri's run.