Recently a selection of top mountain runners represented Malta in the 15th European Mountain Championships in Arco, Italy.
The Senior Men’s race consisted of a scenic countryside loops from Arco town square up to the imposing Arco Medieval castle with a total elevation of +/750m covering a total distance of 12.310km.
Charles Cilia (Agones), who had an excellent performance in Cortina d’Ampezzo 20km Skyrace earlier this season, had an equally strong performance in Arco proving again his status as the best Maltese Mountain runner. Cilia finished the race in 1hour 06mins’54 in 60th position beating national athletes from Hungary, Israel, Ukraine, Albania, Denmark and San Marino.
Meanwhile, Matthew Cutajar (St. Patrick’s), runner up in the National Mountain Running Championships gained his first ever, international mountain running experience competing against a very strong field of established European nations. He completed the course in 1hour 11’52 finishing in 63rd position overall which was a successful performance for his first ever international mountain race.
In the women’s race, runners had to run on a shorter version of the same course Arco town with a total elevation of +/500m covering a total distance of 8.54km.
Angele Satariano (Libertas), runner up in this year’s Malta Mountain running championships, also had a very good race and despite her falling on the second lap still managed to finish in 47th place, beating national athletes from San Marino And Ukraine.
The team in Arco was accompanied by chef-de-mission Gerald Grech, chairman of the Malta Mountain Running
Sub-Committee and Ivan Rozhnov – Athletics’ Malta long distance & cross-country coordinator.
The Maltese athletes were supported by the Perskindol Malta (NM Arrigo) sponsorship.
Currently national athletes are undergoing intensive preparation to participate in the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Susa, Italy and the 32nd World Mountain Running Championships in Sapareva Banya, Bulgaria in September.
