Di Lello first began running in an attempt to lose weight, and in 1992 he started competing in long distance races. A motor bike accident resulted in a muscle impairment and Di Lello was subsequently classified as a T46 parasport athlete. One of the first major competitions he entered was the 2009 New York Marathon, but he was forced to retire from the event with an Achilles tendon inflammation. In 2012 he competed alongside fellow countryman Walter Endrizzi in the Summer Paralympics in London. Di Lello finished 8th with a time of 2.46:27.