For the sixth year running, the National Mountain Running Championships were held on the 12th May in Bingemma under the auspices of the Mgarr local council and the Malta Amateur Athletics Association. The event was sponsored by Perskindol (exclusively imported by NM Arrigo Ltd) Garmin Malta and Uncle Matt’s Kitchen. This year there was a record 86 finishers.
The race was staged in a unique countryside setting over a distance of 5.6km with a continuous ascent of 139 metres and slight descent of 35 metres, starting from Bingemma, Mgarr reaching one of Malta’s highest points at 240m and finishing in Kuncizzjoni, Rabat.
Luke Micallef (AC Pembroke) who was third in last year’s championships, claimed the title of National Mountain Running Champion in a time of 20”08. Gozitan runner Stefan Azzopardi (Atletix AC) was second in 20”35 followed closely by last year’s champion Simon Spiteri (St. Patrick’s) in 20”49.
In the same race, Malta’s top distance runner, Lisa Bezzina (Pembroke Athleta) once again had a great run, clinching her third consecutive National Mountain Running champion title in a time of 22 minutes 04 seconds just 8 seconds away from the course record she established last year. In second place, was MonaLisa Camilleri (AS Libertas) in 23 minutes 27 seconds while fellow club mate, Angele Satariano (AS Libertas) was third in 23 minutes 44 seconds.
A full team will be representing Malta in the European Mountain Championships (uphill), which will be held in Skopje, Macedonia on the 1st July. Senior Men: Luke Micallef (Athleta Pembroke), Stefan Azzopardi (Ac Athletix) and Ryan Farrugia (Raptorz AC)
Senior Women: Angele Satariano (AS Libertas), Celine Pace (Pembroke AC) and Tara Abdilla (La Salle); Chef de mission: Gerald Grech.
Results top 3 Men 2018
1st – Luke Micallef (AC Pembroke) – 20″08 Malta Mountain Running Champion 2018
2nd – Stefan Azzopardi (AC Athletix) – 20″35
3rd – Simon Spiteri (St. Patrick’s AC) – 20″49
Results top 3 Women 2018
1st Lisa Bezzina (AC Pembroke)- 22″02 Malta Mountain Running Champion 2018
2nd Mona Lisa Camilleri (AS Libertas) – 23″27
3rd Angele Satariano (AS Libertas) – 23″44
