National champion Dermot Galea and the previous year’s event winner Michelle Vella Wood triumphed last Sunday during the Malta Urban Jungle 113km Triathlon held in Birzebbugia. 

Both athletes smashed their personal best timings proving their mettle in the field. Brian Magri and Fabio Spiteri were the second and third placed males, respectively, while podium finishers in the female category were Suzanne Farrugia and Maria Vella-Galea, taking second and third place respectively. William Brydon won the Over 40 category

Conditions for this year’s event were tougher than usual and saw 18 athletes and 5 relay teams battling strong sea swells and force 6 winds, covering a distance of 113km consisting of a 1.9k swim, a 90k cycle and a 21km run. 

The race was started by Birzebbuga councillor Charles Muscat, and started off with the 1.9k swim leg.  Heading straight out from St George’s Bay towards Qajjenza, athletes had to battle strong sea swells and murky water making it extra harder to keep on the established race course. In the individuals section Dermot Galea was out of the water first after 29 minutes 15 seconds, followed by Robert David Vella in 32 minutes 2 seconds.

Strong winds prevailed on the bike course, which was set on six and a half laps on the challenging hill leading from the Malta Freeport up to the Airport.  Although the downhill segment offered a bit of respite, the changing wind conditions kept athletes battling to maintain a good race pace throughout.  Yet again Dermot Galea clocked in first in 2hours 56 minutes followed closely by Fabio Spiteri in 3 hours 25 seconds.

The run segment although fairly straight forward saw athletes run along the Birzebbugia coastline for three consecutive laps. Although relatively flat, the wind still played havoc in certain areas.  Starting off the run segment with an 8 minute gap from his nearest opponent (from second placed Brian Magri), Dermot Galea faced a stiff battle from Magri who clocked in second place over all, 32 seconds after Galea.

Dermot Galea, first to cross the finish line in 4 hours 24 minutes stated that tough conditions played in his favour. “Battling for a podium finish with Brian Magri and Fabio Spiteri challenged me till the very end. Fabio very much closed the gap on the bike segment, whilst Brian really pushed me in the run, making the race even more exciting” said Dermot Galea. 

Michelle Vella Wood, winning her third consecutive title in this event, smashed her personal best time to finish the race in 5 hours 8 minutes. Echoing Galea’s comments, Vella Wood said “Conditions were very tough, crosswinds in the Hal Far Airport road made it even more difficult to maintain a good control over the bike, however good preparation and mental focus helped me keep a good steady pace throughout”.

The relay section was won by Team E made up of David Agius Lia (Swimmer), Patrick Scicluna (Cyclist) and Johan Galea (runner) who covered the course in 4 hours 16 minutes 23 seconds. 

“We were very happy with the quality of participating athletes, which is improving each year. This race is the only endurance race on the island, and is proving to be very popular” explained Charlie Demanuele, Race Director and Organiser of this event “Triathletes have a thirst for such events and see this event as a stepping stone towards endurance events abroad, such as Ironman and Challenge races”

Cyprian Dalli, President of the Malta Triathlon Association presided over the Prize Giving ceremony which was held after the event. This event was made possible through the support of Urban Jungle, the Cyclist, Olympic Sports Nutrition, Powerade, Al Fresco Restaurant, and VJ Salomone Marketing Limited.  The organizers also wish to thank Cyprian Dalli from the Malta Triathlon Association, Oswald Spiteri from Joseph F. Spiteri & Co. (1927) Ltd., and all the helpers that were present during the day to ensure the success of this event.