Major testament to the growth of trail running in Malta was clearly put on display during the first race of the Eurosport Trail Running League, powered by Merrell.
A sold out race, which welcomed ninety one trail runners - the highest number of participants ever to take part. Runners did not let the single-digit weather, experienced early on Sunday morning, stop them from lacing up and run a 5-km, single loop course set in the environs of Malta's last few remaining woodland - Buskett. The route enabled the runners to experience good trail terrain in the vicinity of the historical Clapham Junction Cart Ruts.
Although a there were quite a few returning faces on the starting line, the first three males were all newcomers to trail running in Malta. Whilst first male to cross the finish line, Jonathan Ebejer won with a gap of approximately twenty seconds, the next four athletes battled hard for the two remaining places on the winners' podium. One second separated Mark Mifsud and Michael Gafa for second and third place respectively.
The Females' category was won by Danica Bonello Spiteri who is no stranger to trail running and off road racing. She was followed by Tara Abdilla, a newcomer to the sport but has a strong road racing CV to her name. Third placed was Dzintra Grech. Thirty one female runners joined the fray, a major increased when compared to the four or five that regularly took part in previous leagues.
"Trail running is in the Club's DNA and its trademark. We are extremely proud to be the pioneers of this sport in Malta. The number of participants that were on the start line this morning, braving the cold weather is a testament to the hard work Agones SFC put into making this a popular sport" enthused Warren Muscat, President, Agones SFC.
Males
1st Jonathan Ebejer
2nd Mark Mifsud
3rd Michael Gafa
Females
1st Danica Bonello Spiteri
2nd Tara Abdilla
3rd Dzintra Grech
The second race of the Eurosport Trail Running Series will take place on Friday 16th February in Birżebbuġia. The 5k course is the only night trail running race on the island and promises to attract another sell out crowd.
Online Race Registration can be done on www.agones-sfc.eu